The Romans dedicated this town to the goddess Diana and turned its port into one of the most active in the whole Peninsula. Since then, Dénia has been one of the key spots of the Costa Blanca.
Capital of the Marina Alta region of Costa Blanca, Dénia is a cosmopolitan and modern town that offers all kinds of services, and a destination of great interest. Dénia is about 20 kilometres of coast and among the most popular are the areas of Las Marinas, to the north, of Las Rotas, to the south, as well as the rocky coves of Les Rotes.
Dénia lives very involved with its sea, due to the important fishing activity, whose most significant product is the famous red shrimp, for its marinas, the largest in the province, and for its shipping industry, with the presence of a company of maritime transport, which travels to the Balearic Islands. Another of its most characteristic elements is the Sierra del Montgó, Natural Park, which separates the boundaries between Dénia and Jávea and extends to Cape San Antonio.
The Town
The monuments of Dénia, its cultural activities and its museums, make up a rich cultural offer of high level. The Muslim castle keeps many examples of its heritage at the Archaeological museum. The city also has remarkable monuments such as the church of Asunción, from the 18th century, with Renaissance and Baroque reredos; and the City Hall, which still has in its façade two memorial tablets from the ancient temple of Diana.
The avenue of Marqués de Campo, the cosmopolitan setting for the festivities of Moors and Christians that take place in August, is complemented by the fisherman’s quarter, the most popular and gregarious area in town. Also Dénia has a commercial port and a marina hosting many activities throughout the year as well as a lot of diverse restaurants and acfes offering everything from typical dishes of the area to snacks and international cuisine.
Among its festivities it is worth mentioning the Festa Major with the Bous a la mar, declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, and the Float Parade, declared a Festival of Provincial Tourist Interest) which started on July the 9th and lasts until July the 15th.
The Gastronomy
Among the most well-known dishes of local gastronomy we only mention now arroz a banda or rice cooked with fish stock; the red prawn of Dénia, boiled or grilled; the coques of the Marina; or the polp amb penques, or the octopus with cardoons. All recipes use local products from the sea or the land, and age-old cooking methods. All the region’s towns experience gastronomy as an essential element of public fiestas and celebrations. These are festivities that take place in the streets, where wood-fired ovens are set up for cooking rices or preparing popular stews, like Llandeta de peix.
Cover image via the official website of Dénia where you can find lots of information on the city.