Guide to Denia’s golden, sandy beaches

 

 

Golden sandy beaches next to the shimmering turquoise Mediterranean act as a magnet for many holidaymakers in Denia. The beautiful resort in the north Costa Blanca area boasts 15 kilometres of coastline.

Families love the large beaches with children’s play area along Las Marinas while divers and snorkellers enjoy exploring along the little coves at Las Rotas. When the breeze gets up in the afternoons, surfers and kite surfers take to the waters to test their skills while riding the waves.

Denia is also a great place to go dolphin or humpback whale spotting as it is the coastal town in the Valencia region with the highest number of sightings.

The best place to look for these beautiful marine creatures is by the Cabo de San Antonio marine reserve.

Antonio Guide to Denias golden, sandy beaches

Las Marinas beach, Denia

Whether you’re looking for safe beach to paddle with your toddlers and build sandcastles, exploring what lies within the crystal-clear waters or relaxing in a quiet bay, Denia has a beach to suit you.

You can look for crabs, lobsters and fish within the rocky coves in the Las Rotas district. Between the Helios bar and Marineta Cassiana is a rocky path out to sea where you will see fishermen throwing out their lines for fresh fish or wading in the waters to look for octopus and squid.
La Cala

Las Rotas enjoys stunning scenery and is one of the prettiest parts of Denia. It has a few great seafood and paella restaurants where you can enjoy a meal on the terrace by the sea. It’s popular with walkers and dog walkers as well as people looking for a secluded, sheltered bay for sunbathing or snorkelling.

Cala Guide to Denias golden, sandy beaches

La Cala beach, Denia

La Cala is a pretty little bay at the foot of the beautiful Cabo de San Antonio headland separating Denia and Javea. It’s a quiet beach formed of rocks and gravel which is popular for snorkelling in the turquoise waters where you can see a posidonia underwater meadow.
Cala El Trampoli

Trampoli Guide to Denias golden, sandy beaches

Trampoli beach, Denia, Alicante

Also in Las Rotas is the scenic el Trampoli rocky beach which is perfect for diving and snorkelling. It’s another rocky beach with a popular seafood restaurant Pegoli and Helios bar within easy walking distance.

The wealth of marine life on the sea floor is a delight for snorkellers here. Because of its importance, it is a protected area with just 15 licences for diving issued each day from the tourism office.

El Pegoli restaurant, Las Rotas, Denia
La Marineta Cassiana

Heading towards Denia town centre, next to the marina filled with sleek boats and chic restaurants, is the very popular Marineta Cassiana beach.

Cassiana Guide to Denias golden, sandy beaches

View from Marineta Cassiana to the marina, Denia

It’s a small sandy beach which can get crowded in summer. It’s perfect for swimming in the calm waters or for practising water sports.

While bathing you can see the yachts leaving the marina or watch canoeists or surfers playing in the water. There’s a beach bar in the summer or there are several bars and restaurants across the road.

Yachts in Denia marina

It’s a safe Blue Flag beach with foot showers and disabled access. In summer, there are toilets, sunbeds with umbrellas and a lifeguard.

If Marineta Cassiana is too busy, there is another little beach just along the promenade heading towards Las Rotas. It’s not as clean but it’s fine for sunbathing or swimming.
Las Marinas

Las Guide to Denias golden, sandy beaches

Golden sandy beach at Las Marinas, Denia

Long, golden, sandy beaches as far as the eye can see have made this part of Denia a firm favourite with families. Children have plenty of space for building sandcastles or burying Dad in the sand while the shallow water makes it safe for paddling or swimming too.

Heading north from Denia marina and Port you will come across the Las Marinas area, which is the more touristy part of town. There’s a children’s play area, keep-fit equipment on the beach as well as summer beach bars.

Along the road opposite are dozens of bars and restaurants where you can cool off for a late lunch of paella, pizza or locally-caught fish.

The beaches along the Las Marinas stretch have Blue Flags, lifeguards in the summer and foot showers too.
Les Bovetes

Bovetes Guide to Denias golden, sandy beaches

Fishing at Las Marinas beach, Denia

Top favourite for families with children, Les Bovetes beach in the Las Marinas area of Denia has gorgeous fine, golden sand perfect for playing. It’s close to the town centre so you can combine a trip to the beach with a visit to the 11th century Denia castle or shopping.

The Blue Flag beach also attracts surfers and kitesurfers, which add a splash of colour between the deep blue skies and sea.

The beach has sunbeds and foot showers.

There are plenty of restaurants and bars on the main road behind the beach.
Els Molins

If Les Bovetes is too busy, Els Molins is a few metres north. Another Blue Flag beach with golden sands and disabled access. Surfers head for the beaches along this stretch of Las Marinas in the afternoons when (or if) the wind gets up.

Small boats can also gain access to the sea from Calle Mar Canibrica, Calle Llac san Marti and Calle Llac Tana.

Tana Guide to Denias golden, sandy beaches

Las Marinas beach, Denia
Playa l’Almadrava

Windsurfers also enjoy catching the warm afternoon breeze at l’Almadrava in Els Poblets. Another beautiful stretch of golden sands with shallow waters and beautiful coastal views have attracted sunbathers for many summers.

It’s an ideal spot for water sports such as windsurfing, sailing, jet-skiing or fishing.

fishing Guide to Denias golden, sandy beaches

Gym equipment by the beach at Denia
Les Deveses

At the far northern stretch of Denia is the beautiful Les Deveses beach stretching for more than 4 kilometres

In the summer, the warm southerly winds attract dozens of windsurfers so you can enjoy watching their acrobatics – or join in the fun.

Divers can also enjoy spotting different schools of fish or seeing the Posidonia nature reserve.

reserve Guide to Denias golden, sandy beaches

Denia beach
Eating out

You will not find it difficult to find somewhere to eat in Denia as the town has more than 300 restaurants ranging from cheap and cheerful tapas bars to the swanky Quique Dacosta restaurant with three Michelin stars.

If you’re heading for the Las Marinas beaches, the main Ctra Les Marines running alongside the beach is lined with restaurants specialising in a wide range of dishes including paellas, seafood, Italian, Chinese, German, Dutch or Indian.

Many restaurants have set-price lunchtime menus called ‘menu del dia’ which are great value for money.

The best places to try fresh seafood or paella dishes with a sea view are in the impressive restaurants in Las Rotas and Denia marina.

marina Guide to Denias golden, sandy beaches

Paella
Getting about

Denibus runs buses from Las Rotas in the south to the town centre and along Las Marinas. The Denia town centre to Las Marinas buses are not too frequent in winter but from June to September there are buses about every 20 minutes from 7am until 11.30pm.

The Las Rotas bus runs every hour all the year but only until about 9pm. Otherwise you will need a car or have to rely on taxis.

There is parking on streets near to the beaches but they get busy in the summer. There is a large car park by the port where the ferries run to the Balearic islands, and you can walk to the nearest Las Marinas beach from there.

Five best running routes in Alicante with the best views

 

As the Alicante region is one of the healthiest places to live it seems only fitting that it should have become a magnet for holidaymakers wanting to play sports, go cycling, hiking or running.

The Alicante region’s beautiful beaches and mountains are perfect outdoor running tracks. You can choose from a jog alongside the beaches, which offer flat routes for speed or gentle jogging or a harder challenge up the mountain trails. Either way, you will be rewarded with views of fabulous natural scenes.
Jog alongside Benidorm’s magnificent beaches

Benidorm Five best running routes in Alicante with the best views

We can start with a gentle beach run along the famous Benidorm beaches with its magnificent skyscrapers forming a backdrop to your left with the shimmering Mediterranean sea and Benidorm Island to your right.

The run begins on the Poniente beach at the southern end by Calle la Cala. A good time is at sunrise or just before sunset as the area is less crowded and the weather will be cooler, especially in the summer months.

If you really want to exercise the legs, you can run on the soft sand part of the way which can be hard work.

Jog along the promenade alongside the beach up to the Parque de Elche park, a lovely shady area that is well-loved by doves and pigeons.

Keep the sea to your right and head towards Benidorm yacht club and on your left you will find the steep steps taking you up to the famous Balcon with its beautiful square, iconic church and amazing views sweeping along the coast.

It’s a great place to stop to catch your breath and take in the views as you can really appreciate why Benidorm is known as the Spanish Manhattan as you count the number of skyscrapers lining the coast. You also get glorious views of Benidorm’s famous sandy beaches and you may see windsurfers or paragliders enjoying the views from another angle.

This jog is about 3.5kms so you could turn back or continue along Poniente beach to take you to the English quarter, well-known for its British bars and entertainment. It’s another 2.5kms from the Balcon to the far end of Levante beach but it is an easy, flat route along the promenade lined with bars and cafes.

Poniente beach – Balcon de Benidorm – Levante beach. Easy, flat route of 6kms.

Run alongside nature at her best in Jalon

Jalon Five best running routes in Alicante with the best views

This is another gentle run but this time you are surrounded by mountains and natural beauty as the route takes you alongside vineyards and almond orchards in the Jalon valley.

There is a choice of a short circular route of about 2kms alongside the riverbed or a longer run keeping alongside the river to Lliber, which is about 3kms one way.

 

The run starts along the Avenida del Juan Carlos 1 road, opposite the Bodega Xalo, where you can pick up some great wines and olive oil at bargain prices.

Head away from the bridge along the road keeping the riverbed to your left. Take the left turning at the roundabout along the Avenida de las Hortes and you’ll come to a crossroads with the left turning going over the river.

You can take this route to return to the Bodega Xalo but this time running on the other side of the river. For a longer route, head down the Cami del Moli de Lliber which is a good pathway surrounded by farmland leading to the pretty little village of Lliber.

The Jalon Valley is famous for its wine-making and is a very popular spot for cyclists and hikers as there are some fabulous routes.

More adventurous runners may fancy trying more testing routes from Jalon up the Sierra Bernia, a winding road taking you high up into the mountain.

Bodega Xalo circular route, easy running, 2kms or Bodega Xalo – Lliber 3kms.
Taking the Montgo mountain in your stride

Separating the beach towns of Javea and Denia is the impressive Montgo mountain, a haven for wildlife, birds and rare flowers. It is a popular route for cyclists and hikers with several routes of various difficulties available.

It’s a challenge for runners with some challenging uphill scrambles but, rest assured, you will be rewarded with amazing views of the coastline. On a clear day, you can see as far as the party island of Ibiza.

Montgo Five best running routes in Alicante with the best views

Ermita Pare Pere, Montgo

There are three routes starting from the charming Ermita del Pare Pere chapel on the Denia side of the Montgo. You can see the little cave where the friar Pare Pere prayed and meditated in the 17th century and the chapel built in his honour in the 1980s.

One is a three-hour circular tour of just over 4kms in total which will take around three hours. It’s of medium difficulty as there are some climbs as you head up to L’Aigua cove and the Raco del Bou cove.

Cars are not allowed so you can enjoy a peaceful run in a beautiful, natural setting. You may notice an aroma of lavender or herbs wafting across your path as these plants live in abundance along the track.

Heading up the track from the Pare Pere chapel, you’ll come to a fork in the track and you’ll need to take the east path to your left. Running uphill, the landscape becomes even more impressive with fabulous views across the bay up to Valencia and over the mountains.

Keeping to the eastern path, you’ll come across some steep steps heading up to the cave, which used to be a water reservoir.

There is an inscription in the rock dating to 238AD which is protected by a metal fence.

Going back down to the chapel, you’ll come across the Raco del Bou or Bull’s Corner, so called because of the mountain’s shape here.

Ermita de Pare Pere, Montgo – L’Aigua Cove – Ermita de Pare Pere. Medium difficulty and about 4kms.
Looking out for the Javea miradors

miradors Five best running routes in Alicante with the best views

A tough run taking in some or all of Javea’s 15 miradors or viewpoints is a brilliant way to really appreciate the town’s wonderful landscape and views.

It is about 30 kilometres in length with some steep hills to climb from Els Molins mills in the north along the coast to the stunning Granadella beach in the south.

Cabo de San Antonio between Javea and Denia

Every year, the Mirador Challenge is held with 100s of hardy runners and walkers attempting to complete the trail.

Our favourite route is about 6.5kms and starts at the Els Molins viewpoint on the edge of the Montgo and heads off to the Cabo de San Antonio cape with beautiful views across to Denia and Javea as well as over to the lighthouse and the Mediterranean.

We head back along the road as if going back to Els Molins but at the main road, turn left to run down into Javea Port, home to the fishing fleet and stunning sailing boats.

Els Molins – Cabo de San Antonio – Javea Port. Medium difficulty of 6kms.
Finding sanctuary in Font Roja natural park

A stunning inland nature park, Font Roja is a beautiful landscape with more than 1,000 species of aromatic herbs, green countryside, mountains and the crystal-clear Vinalopo river.

Our 12km run takes us from the recreation area with parking on the CV797 road. Head 50 metres from the car park to a walkway.

Keep going straight to jog up to the top of Menejador, which stands 1,365 metres high. The climb is worthwhile as you can see across to the valley of Alcoy and the Sierra de Mariola and Maigmo mountains.

You’ll be running through one of the finest Mediterranean forests in Spain as well as past the Coloma ice house.

CV797 Font Roja natural park – Menejador – CV797. Medium difficult of 12kms.

Remember to wear suitable clothing, especially footwear and carry enough suncream, water and a hat. Don’t walk in the hottest part of the day, especially in summer, as people have taken ill with exhaustion and had to be rescued.