5 Things to Do in Jávea: Old Town, Coves and More
Located in a privileged enclave between the sea and the mountains, we show you things to do in Javea and its surroundings.
Located on the Costa Blanca and in the vicinity of Alicante, what stands out most about Jávea are its surroundings, where you can find some of the most beautiful coves in Spain. Surrounded by cliffs, the turquoise water, pebble floor and gentle waves make it an ideal destination for those who want to snorkel or dive.
The city is an ideal place to base and tour the sites of interest, as well as to enjoy the restaurants and bars found in the port area.
So that you don’t miss anything, both in the city and in nature, we tell you everything you have to see in Javea. It is worth dedicating at least three days to get to know its natural beauties.
1) Things to do in Jávea, the center of town
Although it does not have the charm of other nearby historic centers such as Denia or Altea, the center of Jávea still preserves historic buildings such as the Town Hall or the parish of San Bartolomé.
Walking through the area between the stone facades you will find the Jávea Food Market, a historical enclosure with a beautiful architecture and inside there are shops such as fishmongers and butchers and bars to stop for a drink.
Finally, the Archaeological and Ethnological Museum is another of the places to see in Javea, with free admission. Inside are exhibited objects from the area ranging from medieval times to the present day. Here you will find ceramic objects, coins and even agricultural and fishing elements.
💯 If you are visiting the area, take a look at these recommendations for things to do on the Costa Blanca.
2) The beaches, main attraction to see in Jávea
Javea is known for its beautiful coves around, but we must not forget the beaches of the city center.
El Arenal beach is the only sandy beach in the city. With few waves and crystal clear water, it is preferred by tourists who want to enjoy the sun without leaving the downtown area.
Right next to the marina of Jávea is the La Grava beach, and following the coastline towards El Arenal, is the beach Primer Muntanyar, with rock and gravel floor.
📷 Book here the kayak tour of the Cala Tango and San Antonio Nature Reserve.
3) The port, one of the places to see in Jávea
The port of Jávea is another place worth visiting in the city, not only to see the sea from the breakwater, but also to go to La Lonja and buy fresh fish freshly caught by fishermen.
During the afternoon is when the sailors unload the fresh fish and the sale to the public takes place, from 4 to 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
In addition, there are many restaurants in the area where you can try seafood paella, fish and local specialties.
Catamaran trips along the coast of Jávea
From the port of Javea, the boats that go on the trips along the coast leave. We recommend two catamaran trips around Javea:
- Boat trip around the capes of Jávea and the island of Portichol with BBQ.
- Sunset Catamaran Cruise. Ideal for couples.
4) Hiking in the Montgó Natural Park
This extensive natural park is a haven of tranquility and ideal for hiking trails through the mountains for both adults and children.
One of the most popular hiking trails in the natural park is the route of the Molinos de la Plana, where you will see old mills dating from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century that were used to grind wheat. They are currently in disuse, but most of them have been restored.
Another great attraction of the Montgó natural park is the viewpoint of Cape San Antonio, which can be accessed by car. The path culminates at the lighthouse of Cap de Sant Antoni, where different hiking trails begin and the views are breathtaking from the cliff, both the Mediterranean coast and the city of Javea. There is a picnic area on the site.
Finally, one of the jewels of the park is the Cova Tallada, an underwater cave with natural pools for diving and bathing. It is accessible by footpath from the coast of Denia or by kayak or boat from the sea.
5) Best coves to visit in Jávea
If there is something that distinguishes Jávea is the large number of coves that are in its vicinity, very busy in summer and some of difficult access.
The crystal clear water of the coves makes them an ideal place for swimming and snorkeling, being able to observe the seabed with total clarity. However, it is recommended in all cases to wear booties, since the ground is made of small stones. For us the most beautiful coves of Jávea are the following:
Portitxol or Barraca cove
This cove is recognized by the fishermen’s houses with their white facades and blue doors and windows that are right on the shore, which gives the place a very picturesque atmosphere. Just in front of the cove is the island of Portichol.
The Portitxol cove is accessible by car. There is parking in the upper area, although in summer if you arrive in the afternoon it is impossible to park. There are also two restaurants on site. Ideal for spending the day.
Granadella Cove
Voted the most beautiful beach in Spain, you should not miss the Granadella cove, located in a spectacular natural setting in the forest park of Granadella. The turquoise water and the mountains that give a horseshoe shape to the cove are the main attractions of the place.
In winter, you can probably park in the parking lot closest to the cove. During the summer there is capacity control and a minibus service that connects the upper parking lot with the cove, since it is impossible to find a parking space in the nearest parking lot. There are also several restaurants for dining.
📷 Book here the kayak tour of the coves Caló, Ambolo and Cova Llop Marí from Granadella cove.
Blanca Cove
It is a small cove and the closest to the center of Javea. Because it is quite closed to the sea, the waves are practically non-existent, which makes it an ideal natural pool for children.
Its name is due to the whitish color of the rocks of the cliffs that surround the site. For parking, there are small streets nearby.
Sardinera Cove
It is one of the coves with less occupancy in summer because to access it you have to walk along a path from the Mirador de la Cruz del Portitxol, in a beautiful route with views. The cove is made of gravel and pebbles, so it is necessary to wear booties.
You can also arrive by boat from Jávea, and then snorkel in the area in its crystal clear waters.
Ambolo Cove
Next to Cabo de la Nao, it is a cove with crystal clear water, ideal for snorkeling or diving. Its access is a bit difficult, since you have to go down a staircase with many steps to reach the shore and parking the car in the surroundings is not an easy task.
Although it is classified as a nudist beach, you can wear a swimsuit without any problem. At the entrance there are signs that say that the Ambolo cove is closed due to danger of rockfall, although in reality access is not prohibited and you can go down perfectly well, always with caution.
Where to stay in Jávea
The options where to stay in Javea are many, some accommodations are close to the marina, others to the Arenal beach and some are further away in a location close to the coves.
Our recommendations where to stay in Jávea are the following:
- Nomad Hotel: rooms with sea view. Very good location, close to the city centre and the harbour.
- Hotel Boutique Mi Almazara: ideal for those who want to stay further away from the city centre, in the vicinity of the Montgo reserve. Surrounded by mountain ranges, it is a resort with stunning views and an outdoor swimming pool.
- Parador de Jávea: in front of the beach and in an environment full of restaurants and bars. Rooms with ocean view.
How to get to Jávea
If you arrive by car, from Alicante it is an hour’s drive, taking the A-7 and then the detour on the N-332 and CV-740 towards Javea in the town of Bonaire. From Valencia you must also take the A-7 to the detour in Cata de Gorgos by the CV-734, being the total travel time of one hour and 20 minutes.
The nearest airport and train station to reach Jávea is Alicante. From here you can take a bus to Jávea and hire a transfer.
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