Are you planning to visit one of the Costa Blanca’s most fascinating medieval castles? Standing proudly on a hill in the middle of the Denia Old Town is Denia Castle, which tells a rivetting tale of pirates, battles and royal residents.
From its ancient Islamic archways to the stunning views across the Mediterranean Sea to Ibiza, I’ll share everything about Denia Castle – from how to find it, what to see there, ticket prices, to the best spots for amazing views.
Where is Denia Castle?
You’ll find Denia Castle sitting on top of a hill in the centre of Denia, overlooking both the town and port. The castle is a 10 minutes walking distance from Denia’s main shopping street, Marqués de Campo.
The history of Denia Castle
The castle’s roots go back to the Muslim period in the 11th and 12th centuries, when Denia was known as ‘Daniya‘. But people lived here even earlier – archaeologists have found Roman remains on the castle hill from when the area was called Dianium.
In Muslim times, the castle was built with two main parts: the citadel (where the governor lived) and the albacar (a walled area where townspeople could shelter). The Torre del Mig (Middle Tower) from this time is still standing, with its beautiful horseshoe arches.
After James I conquered Denia in 1244, the castle changed. The lower part became the town of Denia, while the upper citadel remained a fortress. Around 1600, they added a Renaissance palace built by the Duke of Lerma – this is the Governor’s Palace you can visit today.
The 16th century brought trouble with Berber pirates, so they added stronger defences. Later, the castle took heavy damage during the War of Succession and the French invasion in 1812.
The 19th century saw the castle become a private farm for growing grapes and making raisins. It wasn’t until 1947 that the castle became property of the town. Since then, they’ve restored many parts including the Governor’s Palace, the Galliner Tower, and the Red Tower.
The most recent work in 2020 opened up the Verger Alt – an exhibition space in what used to be the old entrance to the citadel.
What you’ll see at the castle
The castle dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries, and you can still see lots of its original Arabic features. When you walk through the entrance, you’ll spot:
The Portal de la Vila
This is the main entrance, and it’s a prime example of medieval military building. You’ll walk through massive stone archways that once had huge wooden doors to keep invaders out.
The Torre del Galliner
One of my favourite spots – this tower gives you amazing views of Denia’s marina. On clear days, you can even spot Ibiza on the horizon (I have a guide on travelling from Denia to Ibiza by ferry if you’re interested)
The Governor’s Palace
The palace shows how the castle changed over time. Inside, you’ll find:
- Original Gothic windows
- Medieval stone carvings
- A collection of old coins found at the site
- Ancient pottery pieces
The Archaeological Museum
Located in the old military buildings, the museum is split into different time periods. You’ll see:
- Islamic pottery and everyday items
- Roman artefacts found in Denia
- Medieval weapons and tools
- Maps showing how Denia grew through the ages
- Interactive displays about castle life
The Tunnels
The castle has a network of tunnels that soldiers used to move around secretly. Some are open to walk through – they’re quite narrow but fascinating!
The Plaza de Armas
This is the main square where soldiers would gather. Today it’s where most events happen, and it offers some of the best photo spots of the town below.
Castle café
There’s a lovely café at the top called ‘El Cafenet del Castell’. It’s the perfect spot to take a break with a coffee and enjoy those sea views.
Recent discoveries
Archaeologists are still finding new things at the castle. In 2022, they uncovered:
- An Islamic water storage system
- Parts of the original Arabic walls
- Pottery workshops from the 12th century
Some areas are still being excavated, so each visit might show you something new!
Interesting facts
- The castle walls are over 2 metres thick in places
- During Islamic rule, Denia was one of the biggest ports in Spain
- The castle had its own mosque, which was later turned into a church
- Secret passages lead down to the town (though they’re closed now)
- The castle was used as a lookout point for pirates until the 18th century
Tickets and opening times
Denia castle is open all year round with different schedules:
- April to September: 10:00 – 19:30
- October to March: 10:00 – 18:00
Tickets cost:
- Adults: €3
- Children (8-16): €1
- Under 8s: Free
- Over 65s: €1
You can buy tickets right at the entrance – there’s rarely a queue to get in.
My recommendations
I’d suggest:
- Visit early morning or late afternoon when it’s cooler
- Wear comfortable shoes – there are lots of steps
- Bring water, particularly in summer
- Take your camera – the views are stunning
- Allow 1-2 hours to see everything properly
The castle is impressive at any time, but sunset is magical. The light hits the old stones beautifully, and you can watch the sun go down over the Mediterranean.
