Denia

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.

Trying to find a summer holiday destination which not only has the sunshine and beaches you’re looking for but also enough activities on offer to keep young children happy can be a chore. If you’re looking for the guaranteed sunshine and beaches of Spain without the crowds, bustle and prices of Benidorm, then Dénia could be just the ticket.

Less than an hour up the coast from Benidorm, Dénia is a compact town of around 30,000 people which lies at the foot of the stunning mountains of the Montgo National Park and looks out over the Mediterranean. Its several pretty Blue Flag beaches offer views of the Balearic Island of Ibiza, which lies just 146km off shore.

Thanks to its size Dénia is very easy to get around, even with young children in tow, so you will quickly become familiar with the traditional narrow streets and old-world charm of its harbour and old town.