Discover Dénia

Dénia – castle, harbour and gastronomy on the Costa Blanca

The port town of Dénia lies some 26 kilometres north of Moraira. Most people who visit Dénia from Moraira come for three things: the castle above the town, the food, with the red prawn as its best-known product, and the harbour from which the ferries leave for the Balearics. On top of that, the town sits between Mount Montgó and a rocky coast with a protected marine reserve.

The castle and the old town

Dénia castle stands on a hill in the middle of town. Inside the walls you can see remains from Roman times, from the Islamic period of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and from the later fortifications. The Palau del Governador houses the archaeological museum, which covers two thousand years of the town’s history, from Roman Dianium to the eighteenth century. You walk up by the steps in Calle Hospital, beside the town hall.

Admission in 2026: €3 for adults, €2 for over-65s and students, €1 for children of 8 to 16. Below the castle hill lies Baix la Mar, the old fishermen’s quarter, with small squares such as the Plaza del Convent. A little further on are Carrer Loreto, a pedestrian street with plenty of tapas bars, and Marqués de Campo, the leafy main street under old plane trees.

Eating in Dénia

Dénia has been a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2015. The best-known local product is the gamba roja, the red prawn from the sea just offshore. In the Les Rotes district and around the harbour you will find restaurants that specialise in it, and in the Mercat Municipal you can see the morning’s fresh catch.

The Monday market

Nature: Les Rotes and the Montgó

South of the harbour begins Les Rotes, a rocky shore with clear water that is protected as a marine reserve. A coastal path runs as far as the Torre del Gerro, an old watchtower built against pirates, with views along the coast. Further along the coast is the Cova Tallada, an old quarry at sea level; in high season you have to book a place for it in advance through the official website. Behind the town rises the Montgó, 753 metres high, with walking routes to the top. North of the harbour, by contrast, are the long sandy beaches of Les Marines, good for a quiet afternoon by the sea. There are more walks in the region under our walking routes around Moraira.

By ferry to the Balearics

From Dénia harbour, Baleària sails to Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca. The fast ferry to Ibiza takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes; in 2026 fares for non-residents start at around €68 per person. If you want a day trip or a few days on the island, see our page visiting Ibiza.

From Moraira to Dénia

The drive is about 26 kilometres; allow 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the route and the traffic in town. Jávea lies between Moraira and Dénia and is easy to take in on the same day; see our page on Jávea (Xàbia).

Dénia castle

Access: steps from Calle Hospital, beside Dénia town hall
From Moraira: ± 30 to 40 min by car
Google Maps

Practical details for Dénia

Opening hours and prices

The Cova Tallada: booking compulsory in season

The cave at Les Rotes is free to enter, but in the busy periods you may only go in with a booking. Those periods are roughly Holy Week, the May bank holiday weekend, and continuously from 15 June to 15 October.

Taking the boat to the Balearics