Denia, like many Spanish coastal cities, has its face to the sea and back to the interior. It would be easy to dismiss the town upon quick inspection, but that would be unfortunate.
Unless you arrive by ferry, your introduction to the town is usually from the double-lane main road (CV-725) which passes through Denia’s industrial area and then into the somewhat unremarkable residential area of La Pedrera. At this stage, you would be forgiven for not understanding what all the fuss is about. However, the magic happens on the port side and in the historical centre, especially once you explore these on foot …
The Enchanting Seafront
If you are new to the town, I suggest you park in the large free parking area located by the Puerto Deportivo. This is on the right-hand side of the port if you are facing the sea, next to the Playa de la Marineta Casiana (beach).
From here it’s easy to explore the beautiful new sports port, with its fantastic bars and restaurants, and gorgeous views over the yachts and stretching towards Denia castle. Keep this area in mind as you will be returning here for its vibrant nightlife and delicious dining.
By the way, there are also some fun bars and restaurants facing the large parking area (Rebeldía Blues Dénia, El Galeón rotas, and Asador La Guitarra) where you can enjoy Tapas and live music on the weekends.
From the Port to Explanada Cervantes
As you stroll towards the centre it’s not necessary to walk on the main road, instead you can enjoy a more relaxed walk through the port and along the water. You will find the fun Chiringuito Club Nautico (perfect for a relaxing afternoon beer and BBQ), and the Restaurante Balandros where you can enjoy a bite and a drink while looking across the stunning port.
Heading further along the side of the port you will get to the most photographed/Instagrammed location of Denia, and maybe all Costa Blanca, the Explanada Cervantes.
It’s a stunning location, both day and night, with colourful facades, tall palm trees, and Denia’s castle as a beautiful backdrop.
See our article on fun activities in Denia.
The plaza is an important marker as from here, with your back to the sea, it’s an easy stroll to the beautiful historical centre. The easiest is to just follow the Carrer (road) de la Mar, with the castle on your right-hand side.
In only 150 metres you will already enter the historic area which is also the main nightlife area of Denia. Be sure to reserve your table in advance. Another hundred metres further, you will see the Plaça (square) del Consell and amphitheatre. From here you can actually walk through a tunnel, under the castle, and exit on the other side of the castle’s hill.
There is plenty to discover in the Centre, some old warehouses and open alleyways have been turned into large gastronomic centres which accommodate a variety of tapas bars, restaurants, and cocktail lounges, and many streets have been turned into pedestrian-only areas, making it a pleasure to amble through Denia while discovering interesting and fun locales.
Best Areas to Live in Denia
The most interesting residential areas that offer both lifestyle and investment advantages are Denia’s Port Area (opposite the large parking area), Las Rotas, Denia Historical Centre, and the Montgo area.
Denia’s port area, and especially the sports port side, is a newer area and offers more luxurious and modern accommodation. It is one Denia’s most coveted locations and offers easy access to the port and town centre. This is a fabulous area to invest in real estate as there is strong demand for property from resident yacht owners and holidaymakers looking to take advantage of the port’s facilities. The demand for modern and luxury real estate in the port area is increasing year after year.
Las Rotas is an established residential area that hugs the coastline just East of Denia and offers some of the most exclusive real estate in the city. There is a promenade that runs for some 4kms stretching from the sports port to Cala Las Rotas where you can enjoy some of the most spectacular seafront scenery in all of Costa Blanca. Here you will find freestanding homes and villas at only 2kms from Denia centre. The property market here is very robust and homes are always in strong demand.
Denia’s Historic Centre is incredibly beautiful and a lot of fun, so it’s no surprise that older apartments and town houses are in great demand by investors for refurbishment projects. Unlike other villages on the Alicante costa, Denia offers a true year-round lifestyle, where the majority of businesses are still open during winter. This means that holiday lets enjoy a strong year-round occupancy.
The Montgo and La Pedrera residential areas sit on the slopes of the Montgo mountain and offer stunning views (especially at night) over Denia city, its port, and the Mediterranean. Here you will find a mixture of older established properties and modern new build homes. Both areas are less than 5 minutes from Denia so you can understand the increase in demand for properties in these areas.
Denia is perhaps one of the most interesting investment propositions on the Costa Blanca. It offers a privileged lifestyle, a stunning location, access to Ibiza and Mallorca via fast ferry, and is also capturing a big piece of the yachting market from those same islands. It is conveniently located between Alicante and Valencia international airports, it boasts beautiful long sandy beaches, and offers an active year round lifestyle with many options for entertainment, activities, dining out, and celebrations.
Furthermore, it is a true standalone city with a complete range of professional services and amenities available for its residents.
Things I don’t like about Denia:
Because it’s situated at the Northern tip of the Costa Blanca it’s a bit far from the other Costa Blanca areas that I really enjoy and that are conveniently close to one another: Moraira, Calpe, Altea, Albir, etc. It’s a little more isolated than other areas of the Costa Blanca, where it can be argued that variety is a bit closer at hand.
The road system can be quite confusing (see driving tips for Spain), and it never seems like there is an easy way in or out. There is a double-lane road (Avenida Joan Fuster) that runs from the sports port south of the city and then comes to an abrupt end. If that could be connected with the main CV-725, that would create less congestion in the centre.
There is a lack of Parking. Parking del Raset is another large paid parking area near the ferry terminal, however, it’s quite expensive, and a bit out of the way.
The cost of refreshments and eating out is, on average, a bit more expensive than in many other areas of the Costa Blanca.
Things I like about Denia:
This is a forward-thinking city with a keen understanding of where it needs to be in the future. The city promotes clean, safe and sustainable activities in an environment that can be enjoyed and protected by all. This is very evident in the pristine port, the fact that they are regular recipients of blue flag beach awards, and the clean well-kept streets and squares.
The city does a fantastic job in marketing itself as an important culinary destination, and a city with a rich cultural heritage. This is evident in the many International events hosted throughout the year.
Denia is a fun city with a very friendly population, free of the stresses that come from living in a larger city.
There is a substantial and high-quality offering of dining and entertainment options. In fact, 5 or 6 restaurants are regular Michelin star recipients, including Quique Dacosta, a 3 Michelin star award-winning restaurant that has been voted the best in Europe (Opinionated About Dining – OAD).
Importantly, Denia is a coastal city that functions throughout the year. The majority of important amenities and services are available during all seasons, in addition, there are plenty of events, festivals, exhibitions, and shows year-round.
It’s small enough to still feel like a holiday destination with a relaxed lifestyle, but large enough to offer everything you need, including a noteworthy public hospital.
It’s a city that inspires an active healthy lifestyle, and its population takes full advantage of its proximity to nature and water, and all the activities that can be enjoyed with them.
This is a coastal Mediterranean city with one of the best climates in Europe and a high standard of services. The investment potential is exciting.
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