Planning a holiday in Dénia and wondering what you're actually going to spend? Good question — and one that most travel sites dodge with vague, unhelpful answers. After ten years living here on the Costa Blanca, I can give you real numbers, honest expectations, and a few tricks to make your euros go further. Whether you're coming as a couple, a family of four, or a group sharing a villa, a Dénia holiday can be incredibly affordable — or surprisingly expensive — depending on the choices you make.
Let's break it all down.
Holiday Rental Costs in Dénia: What to Expect in 2026
Accommodation is almost always your biggest expense, and in Dénia the range is enormous. Peak summer (July–August) sees prices at their highest, but if you're reading this in September, you've already made a smart move — prices drop by 25–40% compared to August, and the town is still warm, lively, and absolutely lovely.
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Find rentals →Here's a rough guide to holiday rental prices in Dénia in 2026:
- Studio/1-bedroom apartment (Las Marinas or Las Rotas area): €70–€120/night in shoulder season (September/October), €140–€200/night in peak July/August
- 2-bedroom apartment (sleeps 4–5): €100–€180/night shoulder season, €200–€350/night peak
- 3-bedroom villa with pool (Les Rotes or inland): €200–€400/night shoulder season, €450–€800/night peak
One thing worth knowing: if you book direct with a local agency like JV Properties, you typically save up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com — that's because those platforms charge guests a service fee on top of the rental price. On a two-week stay, that saving alone can pay for several nice dinners out.
Browse available properties in Dénia →
Food & Drink Costs in Dénia
This is where Dénia genuinely surprises people — in a good way. The town has a serious food culture (it's a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy), and you can eat exceptionally well without spending a fortune.
Budget eating (€10–€15 per person per meal): The local markets and cheaper tapas bars around the old town offer menú del día lunches — three courses with wine — for €12–€15. El Raset neighbourhood has a few no-frills places where you can eat fresh fish for under €15. A coffee and pastry at any bar in the centre costs €2–€3.
Mid-range dining (€20–€40 per person): This is the sweet spot in Dénia. Restaurants like Quique Dacosta's more casual spots, or any of the seafood terraces along Las Marinas road, will serve you beautifully fresh gambas rojas (the famous Dénia red prawns), grilled fish, and local rice dishes for €25–€35 a head with wine. El Pegolí on Las Rotas beach does a knockout paella that's absolutely worth the splurge.
Supermarket shopping: Deínia has a Mercadona on the main road and a Consum near the port — both are well-stocked and reasonably priced. Expect to spend around €50–€70 per week per person if you're self-catering most meals, which is perfectly easy in a holiday apartment with a full kitchen.
Drinks: A beer or glass of wine at a terrace bar: €2–€3.50. A cocktail: €7–€10. Coffee: €1.50–€2.50.
Getting Around: Transport Costs
If you're flying into Alicante (about 90km south), car hire is the most practical option for exploring the area. Expect to pay €200–€350 per week for a small car in September, including full insurance. Petrol is roughly €1.60–€1.75 per litre.
If you'd rather not drive, the TRAM train connects Dénia to Alicante via Benidorm and is a lovely scenic journey — a single ticket costs around €5–€10 depending on distance. The bus (ALSA) connects Dénia to Valencia (about 2 hours) for around €8 one-way.
Parking in Dénia town centre has both paid blue zones (€1–€1.50/hour) and free residential areas a short walk out — see our separate Dénia parking guide for the full breakdown.
Activities & Attractions: Entry Costs
Here's some good news: Dénia's best attractions are mostly free or very cheap.
- Dénia Castle: €3 per adult, €1.50 children — genuinely one of the best-value attractions on the whole Costa Blanca, with incredible views over the marina and the Montgó mountain
- Montgó Natural Park hiking: Free — the trail up to the summit is one of the best half-day hikes in the region
- Beaches: Free — Las Marinas' long sandy beaches and the rocky coves at Las Rotas cost nothing to enjoy
- Water sports: Kayak/SUP rental from around €15–€20/hour, boat trips from €30–€50 per person
- Ferries to Ibiza or Formentera: From €40–€80 one way per person (Baleàlia and Trasmediterranea operate from Dénia port)
- Cabo de San Antonio marine reserve snorkelling/diving: From €35 for a guided dive
Sample Holiday Budgets: Real Numbers
Budget week for 2 people (self-catering, shoulder season): - Accommodation (1-bed apartment, direct booking): ~€700 - Food & drink (mix of self-catering and eating out): ~€400 - Transport (car hire): ~€220 - Activities: ~€80 - Total: approximately €1,400 for two people (€700 each)
Mid-range week for a family of 4: - Accommodation (2-bed apartment, direct booking): ~€1,050 - Food & drink: ~€600 - Transport: ~€250 - Activities: ~€150 - Total: approximately €2,050 for four people (€512 each)
Comfortable week for a group of 6 in a villa with pool: - Accommodation (3-bed villa, direct booking): ~€1,750 - Food & drink: ~€900 - Transport (two cars): ~€400 - Activities & day trips: ~€250 - Total: approximately €3,300 for six people (€550 each)
Is September a Good Time to Visit Dénia for Value?
Absolutely — it might be the best month of the year. The sea temperature in September averages around 25°C (warmer than August in many cases), daytime temperatures are 27–30°C, and the summer crowds have thinned noticeably. Restaurants are still fully open, the beaches are peaceful, and accommodation is significantly cheaper than peak season.
If you can stretch to early October, prices drop further still — and Dénia's famous rice festival season kicks off, which is a genuinely lovely time to be here.
The Bottom Line
Dénia offers exceptional value for a Costa Blanca holiday, especially in September. The key is to book your accommodation direct — not through the big platforms — to avoid paying unnecessary service fees. A good local agency like JV Properties will give you the same (or better) property, local knowledge, and support, at a price that puts money back in your pocket.
Find your perfect Dénia holiday rental →
Whether you're on a tight budget or ready to splash out, Dénia delivers. The red prawns alone are worth the flight.
