Dénia

Day 1: Northern sands and the old town

Ease into Dénia with the wide, family‑friendly beaches north of the port and a gentle orientation of the historic centre. Expect fine golden sand, shallow water, and all the classic chiringuito comforts before an evening paseo.

• Morning: Set up at Punta del Raset or Les Marines for an easy first dip; arrive before 10:00 in July–August for parking. In summer, the inflatable water park off Les Marines is great for kids (tickets up to €18). Lifeguards usually operate 10:30–19:00 mid‑June to mid‑September; follow the green/yellow/red flags.
• Midday: Walk or bus up to Les Bovetes for lunch at a chiringuito on the sand. If you spot banks of dried posidonia on the shore, pick a spot a little further along—it's a protected seagrass that keeps the coast healthy; use high SPF and consider a siesta 13:00–16:00 like the locals.
• Afternoon: Head into town for a stroll around the old streets and up towards the castle ramparts for views over the harbour. Pop through the fishermen’s quarter near the port to see façades with sailors’ tiles and grab a horchata or iced coffee.
• Evening: Sunset paseo along the seafront promenade back by the port and marina, then a leisurely seafood dinner. Book ahead in high season and ask for the local red prawn if you’re feeling indulgent.

Day 2: Las Rotas coves and the marine reserve

Today is about the rocky coves south of town, crystal‑clear water, and slow coastal walking. The marine reserve keeps the seabed pristine, so come prepared with water shoes and a snorkel.

• Morning: Take the bus or trenecito to Marineta Cassiana, then follow the coastal path towards El Trampolí for your first swim from the rock shelves. Bring water shoes for grip and to avoid sea urchins; if planning scuba/free‑diving at Trampolí, check licence limits at the tourism office.
• Midday: Pause for a long lunch near El Trampolí (classic spots include Pegolí or Helios) and sample arroz or grilled fish. In peak summer, private car access beyond Marineta Cassiana is restricted—public transport plus walking keeps it stress‑free.
• Afternoon: Continue to Punta Negra or Les Arenetes for snorkelling over posidonia meadows; the water is deeper and clearer here. Watch for jellyfish flags and avoid anchoring on seagrass if arriving by boat (use ecological mooring buoys).
• Evening: Golden‑hour walk back along Les Rotes as Montgó turns pink, then bus into town for tapas in the Baix la Mar lanes. If you’re naturist‑curious and conditions are calm, plan a short detour earlier in the day to La Cala (access via a footpath).

Day 3: Winds, water sports and gastronomy

Mix Dénia’s active side with its food culture. Northern beaches catch reliable thermal winds, while the town’s UNESCO gastronomy shines at lunch and dinner.

• Morning: Choose your adventure: beginners try paddleboard or kayak from Marineta Cassiana’s calm bay; wind lovers head to Les Deveses for a lesson (lighter morning breeze is friendlier for first‑timers). Accessible bathing points and amphibious chairs are usually available at Punta del Raset, Les Bovetes and Marineta Cassiana in season.
• Midday: Picnic by the dunes at the far end of Les Deveses near the Río Molinell (stay on marked paths to protect the dune system), or go back to town for a menu del día. In cooler months, this stretch is blissfully quiet for long beach walks.
• Afternoon: As the Garbí/Llebeig thermal wind fills in (typically 14:00–19:00), kitesurf or windsurf at Les Deveses; experienced riders can try Els Molins when conditions align. Not into wind sports? Take a short boat trip or sailing lesson from the marina, or a relaxed snorkel return to Les Rotes.
• Evening: Celebrate with a seafood dinner—Sunday is paella day for many locals, so book early. Finish with a slow paseo along the promenade; in winter, swap swims for café terraces and storm‑watching as waves crash along the coast.

By Air

• Alicante–Elche (ALC): ~105 km SW; 1h15–1h30 by car.
  • Options: pre-booked shuttle (e.g., Beniconnect) to Dénia (about 1h30–2h); ALSA airport coach to Benidorm (45–60 min) then ALSA bus or TRAM L9 to Dénia (total 2–3.5h).
• Valencia (VLC): ~115 km N; 1h20–1h40 by car.
  • Options: Metrovalencia L3/5 to city (20–25 min), then Avanza/ALSA bus to Dénia (1h45–2h); or Renfe Cercanías C-1 to Gandia (~1h) and bus Gandia–Dénia (45–60 min).

By Train

• No Renfe rail line to Dénia.
• From Alicante: TRAM d’Alacant L1 (Alicante–Benidorm), change to L9 (Benidorm–Dénia). Total 2h45–3h30; frequent daytime service.
• From Valencia: Renfe Cercanías C-1 to Gandia (~1h), then bus to Dénia (45–60 min).
• Long-distance trains: take AVE/Alvia to Valencia or Alicante and connect as above.

By Bus

• Dénia bus station is near the centre/port; local and intercity services.
• Operators: Avanza/ALSA.
  • Valencia: 1h45–2h (frequent).
  • Alicante: 1h45–2h (frequent).
  • Benidorm: ~1h.
  • Gandia: 45–60 min.
  • Madrid: ~6–7h (daily).
  • Barcelona: ~6–7h (usually via Valencia).
• Local buses link nearby towns (Jávea/Xàbia, Ondara, Oliva, Pego).

By Car

• AP‑7 motorway (toll-free) via Exit 62 (Ondara/Dénia/Jávea); N‑332 as a scenic alternative.
• Approximate driving times: Valencia 1h15–1h30; Alicante 1h15–1h30; Benidorm 45–60 min; Madrid 4h30–5h (A‑3/AP‑7); Barcelona 5–5h30 (AP‑7).
• Peak-summer parking is tight near central beaches and Las Rotas; seasonal access restrictions may apply.

By Ferry

• Regular Baleària services from Dénia port:
  • Ibiza: ~2–3h.
  • Formentera: ~2–2h30 (some direct high-speed in season; others via Ibiza).
  • Mallorca (Palma): ~5–6h.
• Useful for onward travel to the Balearic Islands.