JÁVEA (XABIA)

Jávea is situated mid-way (just over 1 hour’s drive) between Alicante and Valencia airports and enjoys good road systems to both. Close to Dénia, Moraira and the Jalón Valley, Jávea is ideally situated as a base to explore the rest of the Costa Blanca region or just to chill out and enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean weather.

It is a town comprised of different residential areas called “urbanisations”, most of which are quiet and residential and all just a few minutes’ drive from amenities. Each urbanisation has its own distinct character, catering to individual tastes of every discerning property seeker. From the grandiose, traditional fincas of Tosalet, one of first urbanisations to be built to supply second homes for the Spanish “gentry” from Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, to Villes del Vent a more recently constructed urbanisation, providing large open plan villas of modern construction to cater for more contemporary tastes.

Many people, ex-pat and Spanish, have fallen in love with the town after visiting the town for a holiday and gone on to buy a property in Jávea or take a long term rental in Jávea and move there for good. Many ex-pats have chosen Jávea as their home in the sun due to the fantastic expat infrastructure, services and amenities.

It offers easy access to excellent international schools (LAUDE Lady Elizabeth School, Xabia International College (XIC), Steve Jobs School) great local Spanish schools, superb medical and health facilities and countless other facilities aimed at expat residents. Being a favourite holiday destination with virtually 100% tourist occupation in the peak season, Jávea is a perfect location to buy a property to use as an investment holiday rental property.

Jávea is separated from Dénia by the Montgo National Park (El Montgo). It has a coastline of more than 20 kms with one main sandy beach (Arenal), several pebbly beaches and many little coves and bays that can only be accessed by foot or boat. It is a town comprised of different residential areas called “urbanisations”, most of which are quiet and residential and all just a few minutes’ drive from amenities. Jávea has something to offer to all ages and nationalities, and is made up of three distinct areas: the Arenal, the Port (Puerto) and the Old Town (Pueblo).

Jávea Arenal (El Arenal)

The Arenal is a safe and sandy, blue-flag beach, serviced by a wide promenade with lots of shops, bars and restaurants. Probably the most popular area for families with young children and teenagers, the Arenal has plenty to offer in terms of sports (boat hire, jet skis, diving centres, pedalos, volleyball and football pitches, playgrounds etc), entertainment (nightclubs, restaurants and bars with live music and/or international TV), food (cuisine of all international flavours) and shops (boutiques, market stalls and food shops). Just behind the Arenal are more shops, banks, restaurants, and more sports and entertainment (tennis clubs, go-karting and further inland, several first –class golf courses).

The Port (Puerto)

Once home to one of the main local industries of Jávea (fishing), the Port still has a thriving fishing community where it is possible to get fresh fish or seafood nearly every day. Narrow streets lead down to the harbour and marina which is sheltered from the weather by the San Antonio headland on which is situated one of Jávea’s two lighthouses. The Port area also has a pebbly beach which is great for snorkelling and swimming and a wide and sunny promenade full of shops, bars and restaurants where you can sit and relax, meet friends or simply watch the world go by over a coffee or glass of wine.

The Old Town (Pueblo)

The Pueblo is Jávea’s historic centre and is home to the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), the Cultural Centre, museums, churches, shops, bars, restaurants and local markets. This is where you will really feel you are in Spain as you wander through narrow cobble streets full of white-washed houses, take a trip around the Gothic Church of San Bartolomé which dominates the town centre or sup a caña (small beer) whilst you try out some traditional Spanish tapas. On Thursdays, the local market comes to Jávea and fills the Plaza and surrounding streets with stalls laden with everything from fruit and vegetables to flamenco dresses and cheap sunglasses! For more information on what Jávea has to offer, visit www.xabia.org

Beaches in Javea

Javea is famed for its picturesque beaches and bays and people travel from all over the world to visit. The stunning coastline of Javea is rich with crystal clear waters, rocky coves, and Mediterranean vegetation of which the locals and visitors alike are enormously proud and protective of.

So good, even Hollywood wanted a piece of the action; Bruce Willis played the leading role in ‘The Cold Light of Day’, filmed in Cala Granadella. Also Vogue España featured an article about Javea, titled ‘Forget the Caribbean, everything you need is in Javea’ - and they were right. Just a selection to whet the appetite...

Cala Granadella is picture perfect. Located in the southernmost part of Javea and without doubt the most well known of the Javea beaches, and with good reason. A rustic cove with crystal clear waters ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. Get there early in peak season for a good spot. 

Cala de la Barraca (or Portichol) A natural cove of gravel, pebbles and rock located between Cap Prim and Cap Negre. It can be accessed both by car from Cabo de la Nao or on foot from the Mirador de la Cruz del Portichol. In front of the cove is Portichol Island (Isla del Portichol) of great botanical and archaeological interest - highly recommended for scuba diving.

Playa del Benissero – Rocky beaches that link Cala Blanca to the Arenal and the Arenal to the Port, popular in the summer for ‘chiringuitos’ – ‘pop up’ beach bars. The locals flock here in the evenings armed with tables and chairs, and it’s a fantastic spot to watch the sensational fireworks launched from the sea every September in honour of the Mare de Déu de Loreto, patron saint of the sea.

Cala Sardinera – This small pebbly cove is one of the most difficult to access, meaning it’s retained its original charm. With pedestrian access from the Cruz de Portichol via a steep trail, this picturesque beach rarely gets busy. 

Cala Blanca (or La Caleta) is made up of two adjacent coves of gravel and pebbles with characteristic white rock, hence the name. Popular with the locals, the water is crystal clear and the shallow areas make it perfect for families and children.