Visible from just about anywhere in the town, the impressive castle of Denia can trace its roots back to early Roman settlers, but its full development came under the Moors in the 11th century. The city that has sprung up around it maintains a traditional feel, with its churches, squares and monuments all nodding towards a colourful heritage.

To this day you won’t find chrome and glass skyscrapers or tall hotel buildings obscuring your view across Denia and out to sea.Even the main Calle Marques de Campo, nowadays complete with electronics stores, fashion boutiques and banks, provides the perfect setting for many of the time-honoured fairs and fiestas throughout the year.

Traditionally the older Spanish houses in the area have smaller windows. A design feature borrowed from its neighbouring Ibiza, this enables the house to be cool in the long hot summers. You will also see this in the many apartment buildings located around the centre. Away from the city, and where room and regulations allow, the move in more recent years has been towards the more modern ‘Ibizan style’ homes.

The spacious areas and glass walling creating a bright, open feel, with technology taking care of the temperature. While always keeping an eye on tradition, the 21st century demands of sustainability and environmental concerns are being incorporated into any new design and renovation.

Property prices are increasing in Denia, with a lot of regeneration, including the fantastic Els Magazinos gastronomic ‘street food’ experience it’s easy to see the direction this city is taking to elegant, modern and cool.

Buyers in Denia have a wide choice of properties for sale from city apartments, modern villas and rural homes, either along the stunning sandy beaches, in the historic town centre or on the Montgo mountain with its far-reaching fairy-tale views. Property here is extremely diverse and can come at a premium due to the desirable and unique location. However, with its desirable schools, services, shops and parks within walking distance you really do have everything you need on your doorstep. Denia has some fantastic transport links too, with its port / ferry crossings and railway station.

You can find some of the main fast food outlets here for when the occasion (or family) demands, but for a real dining treat there will almost certainly be somewhere to suit…with perhaps a once in a lifetime experience awaiting you. Here’s a few of our favourite eateries that you may want to try:

Whether you’re resident or visitor everyone enjoys a restaurant with a view, and Zensa Lounge pretty much has it all. Located within the Marina de Denia, you could be looking out over the plush white sofas of the pool and lounge area, out to sea towards Ibiza, or taking in the mountains lying just behind the many boats and yachts that have moored up at the Marina’s pontoons.

Fortunately, the menu more than backs up such a location. Great for lunch or dinner, and with cocktails a speciality, choose from a range of salads and cold platters, through to steak, seafood and light curry dishes, and succulent house speciality burger. Vegetarian options are available across both. Daytime in summer will generally see a younger crowd around the pool area, but the atmosphere is always very relaxed with chilled tunes from a resident DJ.

Many towns will have one or more of those very special restaurants that are a favourite with locals…and they’d rather it remained a well-kept secret. The secret is out though at El Baret de Miquel, located just back from the seafront on Calle Historiador Palau. Word has spread on the creativity and modern twist on traditional Valencian tapas from Miquel Ruiz and his team, meaning that a table will need to be reserved often well in advance.

Miquel walked away from a previous Michelin starred life to pursue a vision for El Baret which you see before you today. The bar/restaurant is a cosy and artistic – some say quirky – space which is very relaxed, with excellent service from the friendly staff. The menu includes ever-changing daily specials and the best in fresh and beautifully presented tapas, with the duck liver pate and Tutti Frutti de Bravas recommended for real foodies.

It’s easy to fill yourself up when these keep on coming, but, as one respected reviewer wrote: “Si les visitáis, ¡dejad hueco para el postre!” Just make sure you’ve saved some room for dessert!

We’re not saying we’ve saved the best until last, but with three Michelin stars and twice voted best restaurant in Europe, Quique Dacosta is of international renown for its exceptional, avant-garde cuisine.

The restaurant itself has a very clean, modern feel, set just back from the seafront road on Calle Rascassa. As one might expect when a top chef puts his name to the restaurant, the service is excellent, with staff as friendly and attentive as they are knowledgeable about the food they’re serving.

And they do need to be knowledgeable. Many of the tapas, main dishes, and even desserts, won’t be like anything you’ve seen or savoured before and attempting a description here won’t come close to doing them justice. Whether it’s a sea urchin fideuà or Denia Red king prawns, nearly all ingredients are locally sourced and exceptionally fresh, with creative new menus being introduced all the time.

For many this will be a booking for a special occasion, and you can check availability on the Quique Dacosta website, along with details of the current menu and the latest awards won…