Bars, beaches, landmarks and local spots in Dénia — a hyperlocal guide to where to go.
Dénia's old fishermen's quarter by the port — narrow streets of colourful façades and little squares, and the best place to eat the town's famous seafood in traditional restaurants.
A relaxed, cyclist-friendly café near the beach for breakfast and brunch — properly made coffee and good-value tostadas, combos and cakes.
A pretty pebble cove along the Les Rotes shore with exceptionally clear turquoise water — a favourite for a quiet swim and a snorkel.
Dénia's tree-lined main avenue — the heart of the town's shopping, café terraces and evening paseo, running up from the port.
A dependable local table for traditional Marina Alta rices and fresh seafood — a safe bet for a proper paella or arroz a banda.
The hilltop castle at the centre of town, with the Archaeological Museum inside — layers of Moorish and later history, and superb views over the port, the coast and the Montgó.
The beach bar at Dénia's yacht club — barbecues, popular lunches and drinks with views across the water to the Montgó.
Les Rotes / Cap de Sant Antoni, Dénia
A spectacular half-sea, half-land cave carved into the cliffs below Cap de Sant Antoni, with natural pools for a swim. Reached by a scenic coastal walk — a permit is now needed in summer.
A relaxed rice-and-seafood spot at Plaza Raset overlooking the port — every kind of arroz, attentive service and a casual harbourside setting.
A first-line beach bar on Les Marines with unbeatable views — casual food and drinks by day, a select terrace under the moonlight by night.
A well-loved seafood restaurant out at Les Rotes — Dénia red prawns, fresh fish and rices with panoramic views over the marine reserve.
An upmarket beach club on Les Marines — chill-out music, quality food and cocktails at sunset, the sophisticated end of Dénia's beach scene.
A 27-hole resort course designed with José María Olazábal at the foot of the Montgó, part of a Marriott hotel — the area's premier golf, minutes from Dénia.
The rocky coastline south of the port — a string of coves and flat rocks in a marine reserve with crystal-clear water, superb for snorkelling (no boats, no fishing).
The lively port and marina — a place to stroll the sea wall, eat and drink over the water, and catch the fast ferries to Ibiza and Formentera.
Parc Natural del Montgó, Dénia
The elephant-shaped mountain that watches over Dénia — a natural park of hiking trails and rich flora, with the summit and the Cova de l'Aigua cave rewarding an early-morning climb with huge views.
A free museum celebrating Dénia's early-20th-century toy-making industry — tin cars, dolls and games in the old railway building. A charming, quick indoor stop.
A one-Michelin-star restaurant on the port — fish and seafood over the coals downstairs, a creative fine-dining room above, both showcasing the day's catch. Booking recommended.
Dénia's great northern beach — a long ribbon of fine sand stretching for kilometres, backed by a promenade of restaurants and beach bars. Several Blue Flag sections, ideal for families.
A convenient sandy town beach at the port end of Les Marines, right by the marina and the Punta Raset promenade of restaurants and cafés.
Carrer Rascassa 1, Les Marines, Dénia
Dénia's three-Michelin-star temple of avant-garde cuisine — chef Quique Dacosta's boundary-pushing tasting menus rooted in the Marina Alta. One of Spain's great restaurants; book well ahead.
A classic family seafood restaurant above Les Rotes, famous for Dénia red prawns landed that morning and served barely-cooked, plus rices with a sea view. An institution.
A Baix la Mar favourite by the port — traditional maritime cooking with a modern touch, its arroz a banda served in two passes, and a 150-strong wine cellar.
A family-run beachfront restaurant on Les Marines since 1974 — authentic Mediterranean flavours, fish and rices in a classic seaside setting.
A cosy, long-standing tavern near the port for traditional tapas and Marina Alta home cooking — warm, unpretentious and reliably good.