When people think of Spain’s Costa Blanca, their minds usually jump to Benidorm’s high-rise skyline, non-stop nightlife, and crowds of tourists sipping cheap sangria in funny costumes. But just half an hour up the coast is a place that couldn’t be more different – a town I called home for seven years, and one that still is one of the region’s best-kept secrets.

Unlike its famous neighbour, Denia hasn’t tried to reinvent itself to suit the package holiday appeal. What it offers instead is a slower pace, hidden coves, and a mix of mountains, Mediterranean coastline, and authentic local culture. Denia is also a great starting point for discovering uncomplicated local dishes – and, of course, real paellas.

Sandwiched between the Mediterranean and the imposing Montgó mountain, Denia is a place where you can hike in the morning and swim in crystal-clear water by afternoon – all while basking in a balmy 24C, which is the September average recorded by Holiday Weather.

The town stretches across two contrasting coasts: to the north, Las Marinas boasts miles of sandy, family-friendly beach, while to the south, Las Rotas is a rocky, protected stretch ideal for snorkelling, kayaking, or hiking along the waterfront path.

Denia is genuinely lived-in and it doesn’t rely on tourism to survive. This means restaurants stay open year-round and serve up traditional fare made for the local palate – not Instagram.

There are fewer laminated menus in six languages here, making it much easier to find fresh arroz a banda, grilled octopus, the famous Denia red prawn and traditional cocas for less.

Denia is also a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy – a title that becomes immediately clear as soon as you sit down to eat. At the higher end, there’s Quique Dacosta’s three-Michelin-starred flagship restaurant, but the town’s culinary worth shines just as strongly in the local bars, where you can get a glass of vermouth and a tapa for your almuerzo – the region’s beloved pre-noon snack – for a few euros.

The summer gets busy, sure – but it’s mostly Spanish families and low-key visitors who come back year after year, drawn to the town’s relaxed rhythm and sense of continuity.

Life in this town is about market mornings, beach sunsets, and spontaneous trips to the neighbouring towns of Jávea, Moraira and Altea to discover more enchanting old towns and picture-perfect beaches and coves.

The summer evenings in Denia may include walks up to the castle that overlooks the entire bay, bike rides to the marina, or if you’re in the mood for a night out, ferry rides over to Ibiza that leave straight from the port.