Denia Holidays: Castle, Montgó Park and Beaches by the Port
Provincia de Alicante · Valencia · Spain · 41,733 residents · on the coast
Denia is a coastal town of around 41,700 people in the Provincia de Alicante. It sits just 18 metres above sea level, with its castle and two museums practically on the doorstep of the centre. Within a few miles you have the slopes of El Montgó Natural Park, an archaeological site at Benimaquia, caves cut into the mountain and a string of family-friendly beaches. Its own ferry port, barely a mile out, runs boats to Ibiza, Formentera and Palma. Alicante and Valencia airports, both with direct flights from the United Kingdom, are each roughly an hour and a quarter away by road. It makes a sensible base for a week or a fortnight of culture, walking and sea.
Why go
- Castell de Dénia and the archaeological museum sit within a few minutes' walk of the town centre.
- El Montgó Natural Park rises just over two miles away, with the Cova de l'Aigua on its flanks.
- Alicante and Valencia airports both have direct UK flights and are around 75 to 80 minutes' drive away.
Top sights in Denia
Castle, mountain, caves and beaches
The town's best-known landmark outside the centre is El Montgó Natural Park, a protected mountain area about 2.3 miles away. Back in town, Castell de Dénia stands only 0.2 miles from the centre and is listed as cultural property. The Museu Arqueològic de Dénia is at the same spot, and the Museu Etnològic de Dénia is right in the centre. Both are good choices for families on a hot afternoon.
For a little more history, the archaeological site of Benimaquia lies about 2.4 miles out, and Olimbroi Castle is around 2 miles away. Nature lovers can seek out the Cova de l'Aigua, a cave in the Montgó about 1.8 miles away. The Cova del Barranc del Migdia, a listed cultural property in neighbouring Xàbia, is about 2.7 miles off.
The beaches are spread around the town. Playa Denia is half a mile from the centre, Platja de la Marineta Cassiana about 1.2 miles and Platja de les Marines about 1.4 miles. Playa de las Rotas lies around 2.5 miles away. Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page.
1protected area
2castle
3archaeological site
4beach
5museum
6cave
7beachPlatja de la Marineta Cassiana
1 mile from the centre · Photo
8museumMuseu Etnològic de Dénia
In the centre · Photo
9beachPlaya de las Rotas
3 miles from the centre · Photo
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10cave
Playa Denia
beach · In the centre
Olimbroi Castle
castle · 2 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in Denia
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Denia can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Denia
Choosing your base in Denia
If you want history and evenings out on foot, stay near the centre. From there, the castle, the archaeological museum and the ethnological museum are all within a few hundred metres, and the ferry port is close by. Playa Denia is still only half a mile away.
Families after a beach-first holiday might prefer the stretch around Platja de la Marineta Cassiana and Platja de les Marines, a mile or so from the centre. Walkers heading for El Montgó may like the Playa de las Rotas side, about 2.5 miles out, which also puts the mountain caves within easy reach. Live hotel prices for Denia are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Denia and the villages around it is a hire car from Alicante (ALC), about 1 h 15 min away.
Best time to visit Denia
When to visit Denia
- 16°CJan27 mm
- 16°CFeb35 mm
- 20°CMar23 mm
- 21°CApr14 mm
- 23°CMay48 mm
- 28°CJun19 mm
- 31°CJul7 mm
- 31°CAug27 mm
- 27°CSept60 mm
- 26°COct50 mm
- 21°CNov17 mm
- 17°CDec20 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are April, June, July, August, October and November. April is a standout, with highs around 21°C and only two rainy days on average. June warms to 28°C and stays mostly dry.
July and August are the hottest months, with daytime highs of about 31°C and nights that rarely drop below 23 to 24°C. September is the wettest month, at around 60 mm of rain over eight days. October and May also see some showers, and May has the most rainy days of the year, at around nine.
Winter is mild rather than warm. January and February reach about 16°C by day and 9°C at night, which suits walking on the Montgó more than lying on the beach.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 9°C | 27 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 9°C | 35 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 20°C | 11°C | 23 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 21°C | 13°C | 14 mm | 11 h |
| May | 23°C | 16°C | 48 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 28°C | 20°C | 19 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 31°C | 23°C | 7 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 31°C | 24°C | 27 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 20°C | 60 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 26°C | 18°C | 50 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 21°C | 14°C | 17 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 10°C | 20 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Denia from the UK
Alicante airport (ALC) is the closest, at about 53 miles or roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car. Valencia airport (VLC) is almost as convenient, at around 55 miles and about 1 hour 20 minutes. Murcia airport (RMU) is further out, at around 98 miles and about 2 hours 20 minutes. All three have direct flights from the United Kingdom.
If you are driving down from Calais, allow roughly 19 and a half hours of driving time. Plan for overnight stops along the way.
Denia also has its own ferry port about a mile from town, with sailings to Ibiza, Formentera and Palma. Valencia's port, around 48 miles away, adds routes to Maó and Tangier Med.
By air
- Alicante (ALC)53 miles, about 1 h 15 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Valencia (VLC)55 miles, about 1 h 18 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Murcia (RMU)98 miles, about 2 h 19 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 19 h 33 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Dénia (1 mile), Valencia (48 miles), Ibiza (72 miles).
Denia is good for
Around Denia
Day trips along the coast
Teulada and Benitachell are both about 7.5 miles away, and Benissa is around 9 miles. The small seaside town of Moraira, with fewer than 2,000 residents, is about 10.5 miles off.
Heading further afield, Oliva is about 13 miles away and Calp about 14 miles. Little Miramar is around 15.5 miles, and Gandia, the largest town nearby at almost 74,000 people, is about 18 miles. With the ferry port on your doorstep, a crossing to Ibiza or Formentera is another option.
Tips from Robin
Practical tips for Denia
Hire a car if you plan to explore. The nearest airports are over an hour's drive away, and the Montgó caves, Benimaquia and the outlying beaches are spread a few miles from the centre.
Denia lies at sea level, and in July and August the nights stay warm, at around 23 to 24°C. Air-conditioned accommodation is worth looking for in high summer. Save hikes on the Montgó for spring, autumn or early mornings.
With over 41,000 residents, Denia is a working town all year rather than a summer-only resort. That makes it a reasonable choice for an off-season break in November or April.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to Denia?
Alicante airport is the closest, about 53 miles away or roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car. Valencia airport is a close second, at around 55 miles and about 1 hour 20 minutes. Both have direct flights from the United Kingdom.
What is the best month to visit Denia?
April is excellent, with highs near 21°C and only about two rainy days. June, July, August, October and November are also among the most pleasant months. July and August are the hottest, reaching around 31°C.
Can you get a ferry from Denia to Ibiza?
Yes. Denia's ferry port is about a mile from town and runs sailings to Ibiza, Formentera and Palma. That makes an island hop easy to add to a holiday here.
Is Denia good for families?
Yes. Beaches such as Playa Denia, Platja de la Marineta Cassiana and Platja de les Marines are all within about 1.4 miles of the centre. The town's archaeological and ethnological museums and the Cova de l'Aigua cave also suit children.
When does it rain most in Denia?
September is the wettest month, with around 60 mm of rain over about eight days. October and May are also relatively showery. July is the driest, with only around 7 mm of rain.
How long does it take to drive to Denia from Calais?
The drive from Calais takes roughly 19 and a half hours at the wheel. Most British drivers split it over two or more days, with overnight stops on the way through France and Spain.