Denia, Spain: A Breath of Fresh Air
The industrial and business/banking sectors are the main contributors to Spain’s economy. Coming in at the third position, is tourism. Since the 1960’s, Spain’s tourism sector steadily increased to make Spain the second largest tourist industry in the world. Most visitors flock the country from neighboring European countries or from the USA. Some of the most popular Spanish destinations include Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Palma de Mallorca and Granada. I have visited a few of the places on the list of Most Popular Spanish Destination. Today, however, I want to talk about the less-visited region of Denia. Though it does not rank amongst the top destinations in Spain, Denia attracts a fair deal of tourists due to its scenic setting and idyllic environs.
Denia is a historical coastal city which is located between Valencia and Alicante. It is open to the sea and framed by the Montgo mountains. This romantic city has been coveted for years and has endured many wars started by those who wished to take control of it. In its architecture, foods, and culture, Denia bears the marks left by Iberian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, Napoleonic and Christian civilizations.
Places to visit in Denia, Spain
The Denia castle is in the heart of the city and safeguards Denia’s secrets and history for over 2000 years. The castle is believed to be of Andalusian Muslim origins. It was built in the 11th century and strategically provides a view of the sea, the city below, and the surrounding areas. The Archeological Museum is within the castle ruins and displays a variety of Roman artifacts.
Museums which showcase Denia’s history and culture include, the Ethnological Museum, which provides information about the local life of the region, and the Toy Museum, which explains Denia’s toy-making industry.
Other places of interest are the 18th-century church of the Asunción; the 17th-century Atarazanas (dockyards); the cloister and church of San Antonio and the 18th -century, neoclassical town hall building. Just outside the town you can visit the hermitages of the conquest- Sant Joan (gothic), Santa Paula and Santa LucÃa (gothic), constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries, and also the Torre del Gerro (17th C.) located on the cliff next to the cape of San Antonio.
Of course, where there is sea and large bodies of water, there is bound to be a thriving fishing community. And while this may not be for everyone, a visit to the Denia Fish Quay is quite an interesting experience. The Lonja De Denia is a Fish Market with a long, proud, history. On my visit to the Quay, I observed the ceremony of the fishermen’s return with their catch. After docking in the quay, they spent the first few minutes to wave greetings to those who welcomed their safe return. Then, they busied themselves by off-loading boxes and boxes of freshly-caught fish. The fish were whisked into the building, parceled into smaller crates, placed on conveyor belts, and displayed in front of a seated audience to be auctioned off to the highest bidders. The whole affair was well organized, exciting, and conducted with a fair deal of spirited barter. Some crates sold for as much as 1000 euros while most sold in the range of 300-500 euros. After watching the process, I gleaned that this big hall was where restaurant owners came to purchase their fish. In an adjacent room, locals can purchase seafood by weight or by piece.
What to do in Denia, Spain
If you are unable, or don’t want to cook your own food, classy restaurants will serve you a scrumptious meal for a reasonable price. Many restaurants serve Mediterranean-styled meals with ample amounts of olive oils, olives, wines, cheeses, and seafood. My personal favorite is the seafood paella. Try it! Pair it with a wine from the region and your palate will thank you for it. And you don’t have to stop with the offerings from restaurants. Just as you can get fresh fish directly at the seaside, you can go to the source for many of the foods eaten in Denia. If you want to delve deeper into the wines, then visit one of the wineries in the area, or do an olive oil tasting excursion and purchase extra virgin olive oils.
Stroll through the flea markets, open air markets, street markets, antique and crafts markets. The atmosphere is always festive and you are bound to find souvenirs and special keepers to take back home.
For those in search of a more blood-pumping way to vacation, Denia will not disappoint. Water sports, hand gliding, mountain cycling, hiking, and golfing are major attractors to the region. The mountains offer a beautiful view of the lands below as well as the surrounding mountain ranges. And who doesn’t like to swim in the beaches and laze on the sand after a hike or mountain cycle? The over 20 kilometers of beaches in Denia are ideal for sailing, rowing, diving, and surfing.
Denia, Spain offers one of the most relaxing and inspirational vacation. In my books, it deserves to be listed as one of the best travel destinations.
Until next time
Venture Out. Keep exploring. Travel Smart and Stay Safe.
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(Some of the photos used in this article do not belong to me.)