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EnglishThe 9 most beautiful places to see in Jávea
- Cala Granadella: about 10 km from the centre, this pebble and shingle beach is ideal for snorkelling. It has a restaurant, sunloungers, and snorkel and kayak hire.
- Port and old town: the port offers tapas, fresh fish and fish auctions run by the fishermen. The historic centre keeps its medieval architecture, with the church of San Bartolomé and the Mercado de Abastos.
- Playa del Arenal: Jávea's only sandy beach, half a kilometre long, is lined with restaurants, bars and nightlife.
- Cala la Barraca: also called Portitxol, this cove is lined with old white and blue fishermen's houses. You can swim, paddle or take a boat to the island; the cove is reached via the Mirador de Portitxol.
- Montgó park: it separates Jávea from Dénia over more than 2,000 hectares. Three routes: the Cabo de San Antonio lighthouse, the Cova Tallada, which requires a permit at certain times of year, and the eleven 14th-century windmills of Molins de la Plana.
- Key point: coves, the port, the medieval centre and walks in the Montgó are the highlights of a visit.
Jávea (Xàbia in Valencian) is one of the towns of the Costa Blanca that embody the Mediterranean way of life. It offers plenty of places to visit, food to enjoy and beautiful beaches for swimming. In this article, we go through the most beautiful places to see in Jávea, so you can plan your own itinerary around this lovely coastal town.
Cala Granadella
@solojavea
About 10 km from the centre, this pebble and shingle beach is one of the most famous in Spain. In a setting where the mountains meet the sea, you can enjoy crystal-clear water, perfect for snorkelling. Cala Granadella has a restaurant, sunlounger hire and a place to rent snorkelling gear and kayaks. One of the most interesting sea routes on the whole Costa Blanca passes through here.
Jávea port
Jávea port is an ideal place to stroll, enjoy tapas in the bars or eat in one of its restaurants. Here you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at its best, with fish fresh off the boat. The port of Jávea is also known for its fish auction, where the fishermen sell their catch straight from the sea.
Historic centre
The streets of Jávea's old town keep their medieval architecture: stone buildings with medieval arches and defensive walls, built as a defensive perimeter. Landmark buildings to visit include the church of San Bartolomé, the Mercado de Abastos, the town hall and the history and ethnology museum.
Playa del Arenal
Playa del Arenal is one of the best-known beaches in Jávea. Half a kilometre long, it is the only sandy beach. All around it you will find a wide range of restaurants and bars, as well as several nightlife venues. This is where young people go out for a drink on summer nights.
Cala la Barraca (or Portitxol)
@paulasnmartin
This cove, also known as the Instagrammers' cove, is a picturesque little corner of Jávea. You will find a few old fishermen's houses, painted white and blue. Opposite lies Portitxol island, which you can reach by swimming, by kayak or by boat. It is rich in marine life, ideal for snorkelling. The cove is reached from the Mirador de Portitxol, a viewpoint with a cross from which you can see the island.
Routes through the Montgó natural park
Jávea is separated from Dénia by the Montgó natural park, which covers more than 2,000 hectares. The park offers plenty of hiking routes. They take you to beautiful spots that are well worth a day outdoors.
ROUTE 1: Cabo de San Antonio lighthouse
From this stop, there are impressive views from high above the coast of Jávea. Sadly, you cannot go inside the lighthouse, but the view and the walk are worth it.
ROUTE 2: Cova Tallada
The Cova Tallada is a natural wonder. This cave opens directly onto the sea. Its carved rock was once used as a quarry for building. At certain times of year, you need to request a permit, as visitor numbers are limited: see this page. There are 2 ways to get there: the easiest is from the Mirador de las Rotas, the park overlooking Dénia; if you prefer to start from Jávea, you can follow a route from the green area of Cabo de San Antonio.
ROUTE 3: Molins de la Plana
These eleven 14th-century windmills stand on the plain, where the “Llebeig” wind blows. It is a lovely hiking route to explore the Montgó and enjoy the countryside and the superb view of Cabo de San Antonio. Source: Camping Arena Blanca
Marc Rubio is head of the Alicante office of Alveo Search (Alveo group). He supports international buyers with their property projects in Alicante and on the Costa Blanca, from Dénia to Torrevieja. He shares his advice on choosing an area, analysing prices and spotting the points to watch before buying.
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