The Bous a la Mar, declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, are undoubtedly one of Dénia's most famous celebrations. Furthermore, it is one of the oldest traditions and one of the town's key events. Festival Dénia, which takes place in July.
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When are they?
The Dénia bulls are celebrated during the Festivities of the Most Holy Sang, which is the week of parties patron saints of the municipality. The date of this Festa Major is always in early July, during the week of the Day of the Most Holy Blood.
Since 2024, the city's bullfighting festivals have been reduced by half to avoid the suffering of the animals during the hottest hours. In 2025, Bous a la Mar will only be held in the square on the afternoons from July 5th to Friday, July 11th. Tickets are therefore available for the 19:30 p.m. session.
During some days, the show in the square is preceded by an entrance that runs through Marqués de Campo and the portThese days used to be the first Saturday of the Festivals and the Friday after the Day of the Sang SantíssimaHowever, since 2024, they have also been reduced to just one entry, which is the first Saturday.
Therefore, in 2025On Saturday, July 5th, there will be an entrance that will tour the center of Dénia starting at 19:00 p.m., followed by the event in the square.
Check the complete program of Dénia Festivals this year at this link.
Where are they celebrated?
The Bous to the Sea take place in a semicircular square in the port of Dénia, next to the fish market. The enclosure is installed on purpose for the occasion and has the particularity of its location, located as if the water of the port itself were part of the activity, serving as a refuge for those who flee from the bulls that run through the arena. In fact, its translation from Valencian is "Toros al mar".
How much does it cost?
The price of admission to the venue and the show depends on the year and time. The cheapest option was the morning ticket, when admission usually cost about €1. On the other hand, in the afternoon access costs between 3 and 5 € because it is the time when more people want to participate in the party. Tickets are purchased at the square's box office, which opens one hour before the start.
In 2025 the prices are as follows:
- General admission (afternoon): €5
- Reduced late ticket (children and retirees): €3
History
It is one of the oldest celebrations that are preserved today in the celebrations of the city. However, its relevance has gradually faded into the background over time, despite having the recognition of Festival of National Tourist Interest since 1993.
First bulls in Dénia
According to the work of historian Roc Chabàs, the origin of bulls in the capital of the Marina Alta It dates back to October 1749, despite the fact that there is documentation from the XNUMXth century that proves that bullfights already existed then. Now, it seems that these were held within the municipality and far from the sea.
Origin of the party
Despite this, it was not until the port dock was built that it was decided to open the square and incorporate water as a differentiating element of the festival. There is a record of their celebration since the second decade of the XNUMXth century, when they were part of the celebrations of the Sant Pere festivities.
A century of bullfighting
Almost a century has passed and the Bous a la Mar have changed very little in their essence. However, they have grown to become National Tourist Interest that brings together hundreds of people in the square.
Controversy
Like all bullfighting events, the Bous a la Mar are not without controversy, and many have called for their elimination due to the suffering caused to the animal. Although, unlike other events of this type, the objective is not to injure or kill the bull, most of the participating animals end up in the port water, which has caused several drownings throughout the year. history of the celebration. Furthermore, several international studies indicate that cattle suffer in the bullring.
Every year anti-bullfighting demonstrations are held in the streets of Dénia coinciding with the start of bullfighting events.
El drowning of a bull in 2023, whose images They went around the world generating a lot of debate about this celebration, caused the City Council to decide to reduce the programming by half, completely eliminating the midday entries to, supposedly, prevent the animals from being exposed to the hottest hours.
Institutional
Photos
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Cow in front of the lower area of the stands
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Cow during els Bous a la Mar
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Bull in the square of Bous a la Mar de Dénia
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Everyone flees from the animal in els Bous a la Mar
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Participants trimming the animal on the shore of the port
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Participants hiding from the cow
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The cow prepared to charge in Dénia
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The cow forces people to jump into the harbor
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The cow in front of the sea
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The cow in front of the runners
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The cow with its head out of the water
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The square fills during the Bous a la Mar of 2019 in Dénia
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Half of the Bous a la Mar square is water
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People jump into the water so that the cow does not catch them
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The rescue boat picks up the bull after falling into the water
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Spectators in the water
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Els Bous to the Sea of Dénia
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The bull jumps into the water
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The bull in Bous a la Mar
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The bull falls into the water chasing a runner
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The animal observes how people flee swimming
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Tasks to mount the Bous square to the sea in Dénia
God first time that these events scares me but I think it should be fun
Es ist ein Frevel und eine Peinlichkeit sondergleichen, dass tierquälerische Anlässe in einer modernen, zivilisierten Welt mit dermassen viel Problemen bezüglich der Natur und anderen Arten nach wie vor hochgelebt werden. Tiere unter Applaus zu quälen ist nun wahrlich no gebildeten Menschen würdig and zeugt von Empathielosigkeit und rückständischem Denken.
Wenn die typisch spanischen Argumente derjenigen die unbedingt an diesen Tierquälereien festhalten wollen stimmen würden, so hätten wir heute noch Sklavenarbeit und Hexenverfolgung!!
Mettiti at the bull post is so much fun.
You are a perfect example of a waste of space and air. People like you should not exist-useless,ignorant, ugly humani-please don't procreate.
It may be fun for the spectators, but not for the bull.
Let there be talk of the bous a la mar even if it is wrong!!!. it's good:
1st the local holiday is the second Wednesday after Sant Pere. This year it will be on July 15, so the festivities will start on Saturday the 11th.
2° The day of the Santísima Sang SI that there are bous to the sea in the morning and in the afternoon. It is the Saturday afternoon of floats when there are none.
3° Normally there are 3 running of the bulls on Calle Campos and the port of Dénia: Saturday, Monday and Friday.
4th History: “its relevance has faded over time” IS A BIG LIE. WITHOUT ELS BOUS A LA MAR THERE ARE NO FESTIVITIES IN DÉNIA.
This phrase was left over in the report because it is a personal opinion of someone who I doubt understands what els Bous a la Mar are for a neighbor, a resident of Denia.
Thanks for the report.
Well you have to see the good part too. We are in February and we are already talking about the bous a la mar and the Dénia festivities.
Good photographic report.
Thank you.
What's good about it?
Es ist ein Frevel und eine Peinlichkeit sondergleichen, dass tierquälerische Anlässe in einer modernen, zivilisierten Welt mit dermassen viel Problemen bezüglich der Natur und anderen Arten nach wie vor hochgelebt werden. Tiere unter Applaus zu quälen ist nun wahrlich no gebildeten Menschen würdig and zeugt von Empathielosigkeit und rückständischem Denken.
Wenn die typisch spanischen Argumente derjenigen die unbedingt an diesen Tierquälereien festhalten wollen stimmen würden, so hätten wir heute noch Sklavenarbeit und Hexenverfolgung!!
I completely agree with you, it is brutality and torture for the animal. should not be celebrated
Completely agree – it looks just awful for the bulls and shouldn't be a part of present-celebrations.
Entièrement d'accord avec vous. quelle honte!!!! et combien de manifestations de ce genre dans le monde entier sous prétexte de soi disant “traditions”. Il faut évoluer et prendre en compte la souffrance animale!!!
more names of humains are incapable of empathy and compassion envers les animaux
I agree 100%.
Nuntium Hispanice legi video et deinde “paratos” scribere Gallice, Anglice vel Germanice. Cras in Esperanto non minus.
Insane animal abusers
Playing with the lives of animals -even at the risk of their death, and of people- if possible, gives money.
Make a bonfire on the night of San Juan, it is not possible, it does not give money.
Summary: Tradition doesn't matter, only money matters.
If they charged tickets on the beach, like in the bullfights, and set up some subsidized beach bar like DNA la nit del foc; from the local government they would promote that party.
The thing about the bulls is an aberration, not because of the time, but because of the values that the municipal corporation is supposed to defend, they are forgotten during the week of the bullfights.
Manual book hypocrisy.
You are some HP throw your family into the sea
Disgusting practice.. what happens to those poor bulls.. what sick so called entertainment..WHY
Françeska është një traditë feste dhe nëse nuk ju pëlqen, mos dilni nga shtëpia, by respektoni zakonet
I'm glad the traditions are upheld.
Disgusting barbarity!!!
The bullfighting act is the ridiculousness of the people, a city that vulgui be considered an example of the hauria of abolishing costumes past d'época, bullfighting only pleases the ignorant pallets that do not advance mentally
Completely!!
The bullfighting act is the ridiculousness of the people, a city that vulgui be considered an example of the hauria of abolishing costumes past d'época, bullfighting only pleases the ignorant pallets that do not advance mentally
I don't know what Vicente's redneck says
Well, it's a shame that you have so many prejudices towards Valencian while you go very loose choosing different languages in the translator.
Totally agreed!
It is true that the city council takes a good collection for this cruelty that some call party, fun, tradition...
If some people are so keen on losing traditions, why not demand the return of the lively street parties in Marqués de Campo? What about the presentation of the festival queen that drew such large crowds? Why doesn't the town council attend the processions? Why do the Moors and Christians reenactments take place? Pure folklore! But... some of these events have disappeared, and others have been added. Please, forget about "els bous a la mar" (the bulls in the sea); it's a pretentious and caveman-like practice.
Why don't you shoot your mother, this is inconceivable to shoot you sons of bitches
I don't believe the Saints you are celebrating would approve of ridicule and torture of animals.
Your primitive behavior tells me who you are!
Scared little boys trying to simulate a false idea of manhood. .
Seek therapy…please
Dierenmishandeling is not funest!
Ongeloofelijk overal staat een groot standbeeld van een mooie stier, hoe kun je wat je adoreert zo mishandelen #wreedheden #triest #misselijkmakend
PERVERS wie alle andern Tierquälereien in Spanien!!!!!!
What a disgrace for Denia, what they do to animals at their festivals. Some animal protection organization should take action to stop this atrocity.
Animal cruelty is still animal cruelty and must be abolished. It takes a heart and a brain to understand it, no matter where you come from.
Questa è torture. When I saw how to evolve and have fun, it's something that I haven't learned to abuse anyone for fun?
Evolve, uncivilize!
I'm from Denia, and I don't support bullfighting at all, because it's animal abuse. Enough with the fun at the expense of animals. It's unnecessary, and there are plenty of feasible alternatives to having fun without causing harm. Denia is covering itself in shit with this shameful and pathetic display.