Casa Almendra

Days out

Valencia

Altea

Denia to Altea mini cruise

Denia Marina

On the train....  

Rail travel in Spain is clean, cheap and generally efficient. The Denia --- Alicante line does, however, in our experience, run about 20 minutes late.

Valencia

You can drive directly into the city in about an hour and 10 minutes. There are several underground car parks in the city centre.

Alternatively you can use the train. To do this take the road to Ondara and join the motorway north towards Valencia. Take exit 60 for Xeraco (after Gandia). Follow the N332 for a short distance to Xeraco. Parking at the station is free. Trains take about 50 minutes and run half hourly. The return fare is under Euro 4.50. Valencia Nord is in the middle of the city, near the bull ring. There is a Tourist Information centre on the station. They are very helpful and will provide you with maps, etc.

Altea, Benidorm and Alicante

These towns are on the same line which runs from Denia to Alicante. There is a small station, something like a ‘bus stop’ at La Xara on the outskirts of Denia near La Sella golf course. You do need to request the train to stop! The trains leave at two hourly intervals, a convenient one departing from La Xara at 10.32 (usually nearer 10.50). Payment is made on the train. An alternative is to drive through Jalon to the N332 and on towards Calpe. Just before reaching Calpe there is a boat yard on the right hand side of the road. Turn right here for Calpe station.

Altea is well worth a visit using the train, as the town can be very congested and parking difficult. If you get off at the stop before Altea (Garganes) you are in the middle of the shopping centre and close to the market (Tuesday). It is a short climb up to the old town (head for the blue dome). It is then possible to work your way down to the sea front and catch the return train from Altea station. There are numerous restaurants in the old town and many good restaurants on the sea front.

The journey from La Xara to Altea is very scenic and it is best to sit on the left – hand side of the train facing forward if possible. 

On the boat....

Denia has a ferry port which services Ibiza, Formentera and Palma.
There is also a delightful day cruise down the coast to Altea, stopping at Calpe and Javea on the way, as well as glass bottom boat trips and catamaran trips.