There is another little secret about Jávea’s fishing harbor that I love sharing with visitors.
If you walk farther along the harbor, beyond the fishing boats, you’ll find the departure point for a lovely boat trip to Dénia.
And believe me, seeing this part of the Costa Blanca from the sea is an entirely different experience.
Instead of driving along the coast, you sail past the dramatic limestone cliffs of Cabo de San Antonio, where steep rock faces rise directly from the Mediterranean.
The coastline is wild, rugged, and incredibly beautiful.
On a clear day, the water can be the most wonderful shades of blue and turquoise.
It’s one of those trips where I always want to have my camera ready.
Taking the Ferry from Jávea to Dénia
The coastal ferry operated by Mundo Marino connects Jávea and Dénia, with a journey of approximately 50 minutes each way.
The route passes the Cabo de San Antonio marine reserve and offers lovely views of the cliffs, coves, and coastline around Les Rotes.
One of the things I particularly like is how conveniently the boat arrives in Dénia.
You step off near the waterfront, just a short walk from Calle Marqués de Campo, the city’s elegant main shopping street.
I’ve also seen tickets offered around the fishing harbor, including near the fish-selling area and Cala Bandida. However, I would always recommend checking the current departure times and ticket arrangements with the boat operator before making plans.
The crossings depend on the season and weather conditions.
And here’s my advice: if you’re planning to spend a few hours in Dénia, leave the sardine shopping until another day. Fresh fish deserves a much shorter journey home!
A Few Hours in Dénia
Dénia is one of my favorite towns on this stretch of the Costa Blanca.
It’s lively, full of character, and wonderfully connected to food.
There’s a proper working port, an old town, a medieval castle, independent shops, restaurants, traditional markets, and plenty of places to stop for something delicious.
You can easily spend several hours exploring without needing a car.
Shopping Along Calle Marqués de Campo
From the port, it’s only a short walk to Calle Marqués de Campo.
This broad, tree-lined street is one of the best-known shopping areas in Dénia.
There are cafés, boutiques, shops, and terraces, and it makes a lovely starting point for exploring the center.
But whenever I’m here, there’s one particular stop that is difficult to resist.
Churros and Chocolate at Valor
Chocolatería Valor is located at number 14 on Calle Marqués de Campo.
And if you enjoy churros, it’s a very good reason to visit Dénia.
I particularly love their generous churros, served with thick hot chocolate for dipping.
The combination is wonderfully indulgent.
Spanish hot chocolate is quite different from the thinner drinking chocolate you may be used to. It’s thick, rich, and made for dipping.
I always tell myself I’ll only have a little.
That doesn’t usually go according to plan.
Explore Dénia’s Covered Food Market
Just off the main shopping area, you’ll find the Mercat Municipal, Dénia’s traditional indoor food market.
For anyone who loves Mediterranean cooking, it’s a wonderful place to explore.
The market is filled with fresh vegetables, seasonal fruit, fish, seafood, meat, cured products, bread, cheeses, and other local specialties.
There are also cafés and small places to eat.
This is where you’ll see another side of everyday life in Dénia.
People shopping for lunch, talking to familiar stallholders, choosing the day’s fish, or enjoying a coffee before heading home.
The market is located on Calle Magallanes and normally opens Monday through Saturday, in the morning and early afternoon.
If you’re visiting Dénia by boat, it’s worth checking the ferry schedule so you arrive before the market closes.
Visit Dénia Castle
Rising above the old town is Dénia Castle, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
The castle has a long history connected with the town’s Islamic and later Christian periods.
Today, you can explore its walls, archaeological remains, and viewpoints.
The views across Dénia, the harbor, and the Mediterranean are particularly beautiful.
It’s a lovely place to appreciate just how closely the history of the town is connected to the sea.
Walk Through the Tunnel Beneath the Castle
Another interesting place to visit is the tunnel beneath Dénia Castle.
At first, it might seem like a convenient shortcut between two parts of the town.
But its history is far more serious.
The tunnel was constructed during the Spanish Civil War, between 1937 and 1938, to provide shelter for civilians during air raids.
Today, you can walk through the tunnel and learn more about its history from the information panels.
It connects Plaza del Consell with Ronda de les Muralles.
It’s a fascinating reminder that even the most beautiful Mediterranean towns have stories extending far beyond their picturesque streets.
Market Days in Dénia
If you enjoy Spanish markets as much as I do, Dénia offers several different experiences.
The large weekly market takes place on Monday mornings at the Torrecremada esplanade, where you’ll find clothing, shoes, household goods, accessories, and plenty of other things to browse.
On Friday mornings, Calle La Vía hosts a market focusing on fresh produce and local food.
The covered Mercat Municipal is open most mornings from Monday to Saturday.
And during part of the year, you’ll also find an evening market near the harbor.
Each has its own character, and they’re lovely places to discover how people shop and eat in this part of Spain.
From One Harbor to Another
What I love about taking the boat from Jávea to Dénia is that it turns a simple coastal outing into something much more memorable.
You begin in Jávea, surrounded by fishing boats and the atmosphere of the working harbor.
Then you’re out on the Mediterranean, looking up at towering cliffs and discovering a coastline that looks completely different from the water.
And before long, you’re strolling along Marqués de Campo, enjoying churros, browsing the market, or exploring the old streets beneath Dénia Castle.
It is such a lovely way to discover two very different sides of the Costa Blanca.
And it is exactly the kind of little adventure that makes me so happy we decided to make our home here.
