The Javea area

Javea is a gem of a town situated on the Northern Costa Blanca. It's rugged coastline is indented with secluded coves and sandy beaches. These hidden caves and bays were once used by pirates and smugglers in the Middle Ages but are now used by sunbathers, snorklers and scuba divers.

Javea is situated on the most easterly point of mainland Spain about 100 kms from Valencia and 90kms from Alicante. Javea has been voted environmentally near perfect by the World Health Organisation and boasts 320 days of sunshine a year. New building developments in Javea are subject to height restrictions which mean there are no high-rise buildings unlike in other Costa Blanca towns such as Calpe and Benidorm.

Many would argue Javea is the finest place on the whole Costa Blanca. We wouldn't argue too strongly with this.

Javea, or Xabia as the locals call it, is split into three distinct areas:

Javea old town There is the Old Town of Javea where you can wander down ancient narrow streets and visit the local market. Built with original Tosca sandstone it's rich in medieval history.

The Gothic fortified church of San Bartolome dominates the centre of Javea's town. This building dates back to the 15th century. At the side of the church is a beautiful building which houses the indoor market where you can buy local fresh produce daily.

The port A favourite area of Javea has a fascinating charm factor that is hard to define. Whitewashed houses surround the bay. Watch the fishermen bring in their fresh catches or watch the sailing boats set off from the marina.

Eat at the fantastic seafood restuarants. There are also many good shops, bars and cafes - it's bustling with activity. The Port area of Javea has a real Spanish feel, this is an area where locals live and work in harmony with the tourist elements.

The arenal The bustling Arenal area is basically the sandy blue flag beach which is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants.It's a great place to walk along the promenade in the evening. It's very touristy obviously and is the least Spanish part of Javea but nevertheless it is a crucial part.

During the evening in the summer there are various stalls here selling a variety of handmade crafts. Many of the bars have live music and there are several discotheques.