For me, Dénia – nestled along Spain’s Costa Blanca – has always held a unique charm thanks to its historic old town and crumbling castle, its mixture of local character and tourist appeal and, of course, its beautiful beaches.
The resort boasts a jaw-dropping 15 kilometres of golden sand with beaches to suit almost every kind of holidaymaker. As a rule, families with young children flock to the gentle slopes and shallow waters of La Marina close to town; surfers and windsurfers head north and divers; while snorkelers explore the rocky bays and coves of Les Rotas to the south.
With so much on offer it’s worth working out what kind of spot you’re looking for before you arrive. So to help you plan your perfect sand, sea and sun holiday, here’s my guide to the beaches of Dénia.
For Underwater Explorers
Las Rotas
To the south of Dénia are the beautiful, picturesque and usually relatively uncrowded rocky coves and bays of Las Rotas.
These are ideal for snorkelling and diving as the clear waters and rich marine life offer a plethora of marine species to discover. Kids of all ages will love searching for crabs and other sea life in the many rock pools found here, while adults will appreciate the time away from the crowds.
Insider Tip: Another great reason for heading to Las Rotas is to try out some of the excellent fresh seafood restaurants along the coast. I can highly recommend the seafood paella enjoyed with a glass of cold wine on a terrace overlooking the sea.
La Cala
This rocky bay, set at the base of the Cabo de San Antonio headland, is a perfect base for swimmers and snorkelers to explore the rocky coastline. The gravel beach is usually quiet but once you don your snorkel and mask you’ll understand the appeal: there’s an underwater meadow which lies just offshore here in the Posidonia nature reserve.
El Trampoli
Another beach which draws keen snorkelers and divers is El Trampoli, with its stunning marine life and vibrant sea floor. The local government is rightly keen on preserving this natural wonder and so only releases 15 diving licences each day through the tourist office. The limit to diving activity means that if you get one of these precious licences you will enjoy a totally unspoilt dive in this stunning, tranquil environment.
There are, however, other reasons to visit the beautiful El Trampoli bay – for me, the biggest one is to enjoy a delicious seafood lunch at the local El Pegolí restaurant.
For Families
Dénia Town Beach
If you’re staying in Dénia and don’t want to travel too far, don’t worry. Close to town you’ll be able to enjoy dining, relaxing and people-watching in the Marina, looking out over the sleek yachts to the sea beyond, or stretching out on the sand of La Marineta Cassiana.
La Marineta Cassiana
The main stretch of sand close to the town itself, Marineta Cassiana, is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike who enjoy visiting for sunbathing, swimming and watersports.
Having been awarded a Blue Flag, you know the standards here are high with toilets, foot showers, lifeguards and disabled access. But be warned: this is a small area and can get crowded in the summer months.
The benefit of being close to town is that there are plenty of bars and restaurants along the road where you can get a cold drink, meal, or just take a break from the sun. There’s also a beach bar here in the summer selling refreshments to those who prefer to ring every last ounce of sunshine out of the day.
Las Marinas
Just along from the Marina and the port is Las Marinas. This is definitely where the touristy side of town begins with lots of Blue Flag beaches boasting children’s playgrounds, outdoor gym equipment and summer refreshment kiosks.
The road to Las Marinas is lined with bars and restaurants, perfect for getting out of the midday sun.
Les Bovetes
This is probably one of the most family-friendly beaches in Dénia with its wide stretch of fine sand, calm shallow waters and lots of bars and restaurants selling ice creams and cold drinks along the shore.
This can also be a popular surfing, kite surfing and windsurfing spot when the wind picks up in the afternoons.
For Adrenaline Seekers
El Molins
Just north of Les Bovetes is El Molins, a mecca for local surfers and windsurfers. This Blue Flag beach tends to be a bit quieter than its neighbour and attracts a less family crowd, for those searching for a little holiday peace.
Playa l’Almadrava
This is one of the main watersports beaches in the resort thanks to the afternoon breeze, making it ideal for windsurfing, kite surfing and surfing. There are a range of motor watersports available here too – my favourite is the jet ski tour.
Les Deveses
This is Dénia’s northern-most beach with a beautiful four-kilometre stretch of sand. The winds here attract the surfers – it’s a great place to while away the hours watching them play in the waves. It may even tempt you to give it a go.
How to Get to Dénia
Start off your holiday to Dénia by flying to Spain’s Alicante. You can catch a large number of flights from the UK including a range of budget options from Monarch, easyJet, Ryanair and premium flights from British Airways and Iberia.
Avoid the stress of sorting out your onward transportation at the airport by booking a Shuttle Direct airport transfer online before you leave home. You can choose between shared group transfers or private cars and you’ll know that your transport is sorted the moment you touch down in Spain.
Where to Stay:
Budget – A great value option, the Playa Sur self-catering accommodation is close to the beach (an eight-minute walk) and guests have access to the communal pool. There’s also free WiFi throughout.
Mid Range – For something a little different try the El Bichet hotel with its stylish modern interiors and cool communal spaces. Set just back from the sea at Almadrava, there’s also a ‘chill out terrace’ and outdoor swimming pool.
Luxury – Splash out on a little luxury and comfort at the four-star Hotel Los Ángeles. Set on the beach with its own beach bar, sun terrace and outdoor pool, this is the perfect place to base yourself for a holiday of sun, sea and sand.
About Shuttle Direct:
Shuttle Direct is the leading provider of private and group transfers in Europe and North Africa, offering you a range of transport options in destinations across the continent. Simply choose whether you want an economical shared transfer, a private group transfer or your own car and driver and Shuttle Direct will ensure it is there waiting for you when you arrive in your chosen country. If you’re travelling with children and need to transport buggies and other large items or you’re a sports enthusiast travelling with equipment, just let us know when you book and we’ll ensure we can fit you all in.
