DK Travel : Costa Blanca : Places of interest

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Denia (Dénia)

Dénia, now a relaxed family resort with great beaches and a busy port, had a long and glorious history before tourism hit the Mediterranean coast – first as a Roman settlement, then as the capital of an Arabic kingdom. For respite from the summer crowds, take a hike in the nearby Montgó Natural Park.
Dunas de Guardamar

This wild and lovely stretch of windswept dunes on the outskirts of the low-key tourist enclave of Guardamar is a protected area, which has blocked the intrusion of the kind of high-rise developments that have blighted other parts of the coast. The dunes undulate along endless beaches of fine pale sand, backed by shady pine glades with walking paths, cycling routes and picnic areas. Although the beaches are very popular in summer, they remain relatively uncrowded. Nonetheless, the best time to visit is off-season, when you can go for long, bracing beach walks without a soul in sight.
El Arca, Benimantell

Also known as “Noah’s Ark”, this wonderful wildlife sanctuary close to Guadalest is dedicated to the care of sick, abandoned and mistreated animals. The animals live in compounds designed to resemble their natural habitats, and their stories are outlined on special panels.
El Campelló

Despite the proximity of the busy beaches at San Juan, this fishing village retains its tranquil atmosphere.
El Pinós (Pinoso)

El Pinós is one of the best-known wine towns in the Alicante region, but it’s also justly famous for its embutidos – cured hams and sausages made with locally reared livestock and prepared to traditional recipes.
El Pinós (Pinoso)

Sitting peacefully on a low hill in a broad, vine-covered plain, El Pinós is an affluent little town with a rambling old centre curling around a pretty clock tower. It made its fortune from salt and cured sausages, but it is also an important wine-producing town. Try the vigorous young reds at one of many bodegas.
Elda

Elda is a big, industrial city, and one of the largest shoemaking centres in Spain. Numerous factory outlets on the outskirts of the town offer excellent shoe bargains.
Elx (Elche)

Come around Easter to see Elx’s famous and elaborate palm crosses being made for the Easter Sunday parades (see Hort del Cura, Elx (Elche)). At any time of year, dozens of shops sell fresh dates and delicious date sweets and cakes.
Elx (Elche)

The immaculate town of Elx is best known for its celebrated palm groves, introduced by the Phoenicians more than two millennia ago, and in particular for the “Priest’s Garden” (see Hort del Cura, Elx (Elche)), a luxuriant botanical garden filled with palms and tropical flowers. Most of the town’s historic sights are clustered around the vast Basílica de Santa María, the setting for the Misteri d’Elx (see Misteri d’Elx (Elche) (Mystery of Elx)), (see Basílica de Santa María, Elx (Elche)). An important Iberian settlement, Illici, is still being excavated on the outskirts of Elx, and it is here that the famous Dama de Elx, the most accomplished Iberian sculpture in Spain, was discovered.
Gandia (Gandía)

Gandia’s history is inextricably bound up with the Borjas; the opulent Gothic palace which was their family home has been impeccably restored (see Palau Ducal, Gandia (Gandía)). The only other reminder of the town’s historic importance is the serene Gothic church of Santa María. A resort town, Gandía-Playa, has grown up around the port, with famously well-manicured beaches (see Playa de Venecia, Gandia-Playa) and a buzzing nightlife scene in summer.