Jávea is a wonderful place to spend your holiday. If you are thinking of booking an apartment or villa in Jávea read below for our one-stop guide to this region. Here you will find local information about the town, beaches, weather, activities, and other useful details.

A guide to Jávea...

This charming old town lies between the Capes of San Antonio and La Nao, on the northern section of the Costa Blanca. With it's mild year-round temperatures, varying landscapes - from sandy coastlines to rugged mountain areas - and extensive tourist facilities, Jávea has  managed to preserve all the charm of an ancient fishing village. Blessed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean, and sheltered by the Montgo Mountain, it is an excellent place to holiday. Three principal areas make up the town called Jávea - these are the Port, the Arenal beach area, and the historic Old Town.

The Old Town (Jávea Pueblo) is the location for the indoor and outdoor Market, the Gothic Church of San Bartolome, and an excellent selection of local and International bars and restaurants. The architecture is essentially Moorish, and the narrow streets are home to the traditional buildings and features of the traditional Jávea and it's culture. Although continually growing in size, this area has managed to retain much of it's Spanish feel, and this is the area where the main fiestas and religious processions and celebrations take place.

The Arenal Beach (Playa de Arenal) is the central beach in Jávea. This is a 'Blue Flag' beach where glorious golden sand gently blends into the Mediterranean Sea. The Sea is warm, and the beach almost perfect. Running alongside the Arenal is the central pedestrian promenade, and here you will find an excellent selection of bars and restaurants - most with great views our across the Mediterranean.  Just 8km south of the Arenal is rocky outlet called Cabo de la Nao which affords stunning views back over Jávea and as far as Ibiza on a clear day.

The Port (Jávea Puerto) first came into existence in 1871 when the first jetty was built to accommodate shipping traders involved in the import of raisins and other goods. A strong fishing community grew up and nowadays it still functions as a fishing port with yachts moored in the same vicinity. Today there is a modern Marina, which is home to The Nautical Club. This was inaugurated in 1963 and is offers some 352 moorings. Views across the bay from The Port are spectacular, and during the first week of September it is home to one of Spain's more unusual fiestas when bulls are released into a paddock area where they are taunted by local youths who jump into the Sea when the bull charges them - the aim being to get the bull to fall into the water rather than kill it. The importance of the town's maritime activities can be seen in the picturesque Port area known as Aduanas de Mar (or "sea customs") which is dominated by the Church of Nuestra Senora de Loreto, with it's awe-inspiring roof imitating a ship's hull.

Things to do in Jávea...

As well as spending your days on the beach and dining in some fine local tapas bars and restaurants there are also plenty of other activities to get involved with and to visit. The Sant Antoni Marine Reserve for example is situated on the coast, between the towns of Jávea and Denia, and is home to an incredible diversity of creatures. Scuba diving in Jávea is highly recommended and there's no end of dive shops offering introductory dives and PADI courses. The Costa Blanca has more than 13 golf courses and sailing opportunities are available at the local Marina and Nautical Club.

There are also some good trekking routes around Jávea and if you are interested in walking we recommend calling in to the Tourist Information office for the booklet "Nature Parks and Trekking Routes". To the north of the town, the natural park of Montgo rises up to 753 metres above Sea level, nurturing one of the most valuable botanical reserves in the Valencian Region. A journey up the slopes shows a wealth of different vegetation, and provides extraordinary panoramic views from the top. From north to south, the capes of San Antonio, San Martin, Negre and La Nao crown the coastline, creating a series of cove beaches offering white, sun-bleached sand or shingle. You can choose between the busy beach of The Arenal in the centre of Jávea, or the quieter cove of Granadella, ideal for scuba diving or snorkelling. There is also a naturist beach at Ambolo, and some wonderful smaller coves at Barraca, Falsía, Pope o Tango and Caleta. Located on the outskirts of the town are the Jávea Golf Club and the La Sella Golf Club - both originally designed by Seve Ballesteros.

Markets are of great interest and there are lots to visit in the area. Below is a list of the markets local to Jávea, and the days they are staged - visit as many as possible to get a real taste for the local tradition and culture:

Monday: Callosa d'Ensarria, Denia, Elche , La Nucía, Santa Pola, and more... 
Parcent, Petrer, Monover, Sax, Agres, Formentera, Cox, Granja de Rocamora, Ibi, Penáguila

Tuesday:  Altea, Jalón, Orihuela, and more... 
Elda, Aspe, Tibi, Sella, Beniarbeig, Benijofar, Campo de Mirra, Castalla, San Fulgencio, Relleu

Wednesday: Benidorm, Benitachell, El Campello, Guardamar del Segura, Ondara, Teulada,
and more... 
Biar, La Mata, Novelda, Polop, Alcoy, Petrer, Bañeres, Monforte del Cid, Orba, Elda, Muchamiel, San Miguel de Salinas, Albatera, Sella, Alqueries, Benejama, Beniarres, Benilloba, Callosa del Segura, San Miguel de Salinas

Thursday: Alicante, Jávea, Pego, Villajoyosa, and more... 
Cocentaina, Villena, Agost, Aspe, Hondon de los Frailes, Jijona, Rojales, Agres, Albatera, Algeña, Benidoleig, Gandía

Friday: Alfas del Pi, Dénia, Gata, Moraira, Finestrat, Torrevieja, and more... 
Crevillente, Petrer, El Pilar de la Horadada, Albatera, Bañeres, Monforte del Cid, Onil, Bebejúzar, Beniarrés, Granja de Rocamora, Montesinos, Muro de Alcoy, Benidoleig, Sella, Vergel, Rafal, Tibi, Oliva

Saturday: Alicante, Benissa, Callosa d'en Sarrià, Calpe, Elche, Pedreguer, Santa Pola, and more... Almoradí,  Alcoy, Bañeres, , Novelda, San Cicente del Raspeig, Alguería, Gaianes, Castalla, Hondon de las Nieves, Catral, Castell de Castells, , Relleu, La Romana, Salinas, Elda, Gandía

Sunday: Benidorm, Campo de Guardamar, Las Dunas, and more... 
Aigües de Busot, Torremanzanas, Busot, Benferri, Algueña, Alfafara, Pilar de la Horadada

Rastros (Flea Markets)

Saturday: Jalón, Benissa,

Sunday: Pedreguer, Lliber, La Nucía

The weather in Jávea...

The local weather is perhaps as you would expect from a Mediterranean costal town - plenty of sun, and very little rain throughout the summer months. It has been quoted by the World Health Organisation as being one of the healthiest climates in the world with more than 300 days of sunshine per year.

Winter daytime temperatures seldom fall below 10ºC and can in fact be high enough for sunbathing. At the height of summer average temperatures are around 30ºC but these can reach 40ºC in the middle of the afternoon. Due to the number of hours and the intensity of the sun we always advise clients to protect themselves with sun cream at all times during the day to prevent burning. There is very little rainfall and this generally falls during the winter months. In the summer you would be very unlucky to experience more than a few drops of rain, and the average rainfall during July and August is below 10mm per month. The wettest month tends to be October, and even during this period average rainfall is normally less than 65mm for the month. The prevailing weather in Jávea means that you can really enjoy the outdoor life both in summer and winter and it is great for playing golf on one of the Costa Blanca golf courses.

Restaurants in Jávea...

The choice is large and varied and although - sadly - it is now possible to by a MacDonalds burger in the town, we have listed below some of the nicer places to eat. The list is not exhaustive, but it is based upon personal experience, and is intended as a 'place to start' when planning your cuisine for your holiday.

In The Port area you will find Azorin (Address: Just opposite Quicksave supermarket in the road behind the promenade tel: 965794495) It offers a basic menu del dia restaurant where you will find local foods cooked well. Best described as 'cheap and cheerful', and nearly always packed, so it is best to book. In the same area is Calima (Address: On the main promenade before the road to the Arenal tel: 965794821). This restaurant is famous locally for its good food and pleasant staff. It cannot be described as cheap but does represent excellent value for money. Also in The Port area is the wonderful El Portet (Address:  C/Cristo del Mar 8 between the cinema and the Port up the steps tel.: 96 646 15 22). This is a good Spanish restaurant with excellent Menu del Dia. It sometimes looks empty but there is a large open Courtyard, covered with vines, at the back.

In The Arenal district you have Chez Angel (Address: Ctra. Cabo La Nao, 2-3, Jávea Park on the left and midway in the main cluster of shops tel: 96 579 27 23) This has an excellent gourmet menu and the food is presented in pleasant surroundings. Again, it would not be described as 'cheap', but it is one of our favourite restaurants in Jávea and will not disappoint. Close by is the La Perla de Jávea (Address: paseo Amanecr B10 local 4 at far end of The Arenal just past Los Remos tel: 96 647 07 72) Rice dishes are the speciality and they are offered at reasonable prices. Los Remos is also worth visiting (Address: Paseo del Amanecer Bloque 10, Local 9 at the far end of  The Arenal front where it bends left tel: 96 647 07 76). The speciality is fish dishes in this very smart restaurant - you are well advised to always book!

The Old Town is home to some of the very best restaurants in Jávea and these include El Mirador (Address: Cabo La Nao - right at the very end of the road tel: 96 577 0811) This is certainly one of the best Spanish restaurants with just fabulous views. Sunday lunch is recommended, but make sure to book. Restaurant Bacchus is on the back road from the Arenal to Benitachell (Address: Treavesia de Cansalades 87  tel: 96 647 30 96) - about 5 minutes from beach and as you head our to Jesus Pobre you will find Los Almendros (Address: Ctra Jesus Pobre  about 5 minutes out of Jávea on left about 1 minute after Las Brisas and almost opposite Montgo restaurant tel: 96 579 0104). This offers a “Menu Del Dia” with a good choice and at a very reasonable price. Unfortunately it closes for most of the winter months, so check in advance.

If you are happy to travel a little further a field then we would also recommend a visit to Punta Menimaquia (Address: about 40 minute drive through Orba, Fontilles and Campbell tel: 96 642 00 14). The last part of the journey is quite a drive but the stunning views are reward enough - never mind the menu at the end. This is a very Spanish restaurant and it does not have an English menu but part of the fun is in muddling through the ordering, and enjoying the results - expected or not!
 

Cafes & Bars in Jávea...

As a popular holiday destination Jávea is able to boast an excellent choice of bars and cafes - many of these welcome children for at least some part of the day, but it is always best to check before planning an evening out. Listed below is a far from comprehensive list of bars that our clients have returned positive feedback on. This is always extremely subjective of course, but represents a good starting point. We have given the local telephone number if you would like to call first before visiting, and the address in Jávea is also shown - this is the address to use if booking a taxi:

Other activities in Jávea...

Our brief guide to Jávea concludes with a list of local clubs, shops and sporting facilities where visitors are made welcome. Once again we have given the local telephone number followed by the address - you may find this directory useful if you wish to book tennis lessons, arrange a round of golf, or go sailing - if you need further information or help please do not hesitate to contact us> for further information.

Enjoy your stay with us in the beautiful town of Jávea!