All about - JAVEA
Javea is a small, historic town, with no high rise buildings. The clean, warm, blue Mediterranean Sea laps the beautiful beaches and coves that Javea has to offer.
With a variety of landscape, ranging from sandy beaches to rugged mountains, Javea combines beauty and modern facilities with the charm of an ancient fishing village.
The town is situated between the San Antonio and La Nao points and enjoys the impressive and magnificent protection of Mount Montgó.
Approximately 50 minutes drive from Benidorm towards the north-eastern tip of the Costa Blanca.
History & Culture
Javea old town is steeped in history and it’s evident in the architecture, with its Tosca stone porticoes, gothic bay windows, wrought iron window bars and balcony railings.
The church of San Bartolemé in the town centre is an example of late gothic architecture with a defensive character. The "Soler Blasco" Archaeological Museum is close by in the narrow streets and offers a wealth of information about Iberian history.
This historic church can be found in the Plaza de la Iglesia and the oldest parts dates back to 1304, the bell tower which is 30 meters high and stands at 86m above sea level was also used as a watchtower to defend the town from the seafaring Berber pirates.
This building is of Elizabethan Gothic style. It has a large Gothic nave with three chapels on each side that are framed by buttresses.
This building is considered one of the best models of ogival art (an arch with a pointed apex) in the Valencian Community.
Opening Hours - Monday to Friday 10.30 - 12-30 and in the afternoons, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays it is open 30 minutes before Mass
Mass times - September 1st to June 30th, working days at 08:00 Tuesday to Friday 19:30 p.m., and holidays at 10:00 a.m, 12:00 p.m. and 19:00 p.m. July 1st to August 31st working days 08:00 am; Tuesday to Friday at 20:00 p.m., eve at 19:30 p.m. and holidays at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 19:00 p.m.
Markets
In the centre of town the covered indoor market sells all sorts of fabulous fresh local produce: fruit, vegetables, meat and fresh fish are brought up from the port daily.
This market is located in Plaza Celestino Pons, and is generally open from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 14:00 / 17:00 to 21:00, & on Saturdays mornings from 08:00 to 14:00 hours
Market day in Jávea is Thursday, and can be found in the Plaza de la Constitución square.
Port & Marinas?
The importance of the town’s maritime activities is apparent in the port area; known as Aduanas de Mar, it boasts a lovely promenade and some excellent fish restaurants where you can enjoy the ‘catch of the day’.
The fishing harbour is situated next to a attractive marina full of interesting yachts, a lovely area for a morning or evening stroll, if you time it right you will catch the fisherman coming in with their daily catch, a daily fish auction is held, not open to the public, but you can stand outside and watch the proceedings. You can of course grab yourself some fresh fish from the shop just outside the auction house, you will see the locals rush down to claim their dinner.
Dominating the fishing port is the modern silhouette of the church of Nuestra Señora de Loreto, with its roof depicting a ships hull. The Iglesia de la Virgen de Loreto (church) built in 1967 this is one of the most modern churches you’ll ever see, with fantastic avant-garde design which is based on a single ship with an oval plan this design is very unusual. The 12 slender pillars outside are an allegory to the 12 apostles. This is such a rare design for a religious building,
Address: Calle Pío X, 9, 03730 Jávea, Alicante, Spain, (situated in the district of Duanes de la Mar)
Opening Hours: 9:00 am until 8:00 pm, throughout the year, extended until 9:00 pm. during the summer months.
Beaches - May 2022 Cigarettes banned from Jávea beaches
Jávea town hall has approved ‘various measures designed to improve environmental protection on the coast’ in a full council meeting, including a declaration that people cannot smoke on any beach in the municipality.
Javea has 20 kilometres of coastline, with a choice of beaches.
The Arenal area offers a beautiful sandy bay with palm trees and play areas for children. The bay is framed by the promenade with its wonderful choice of bars and restaurants offering national and international specialties.
Granadella beach is a spectacular cove situated just South of Javia and is well known among diving enthusiasts. Parking is a few meters from the beach, and it is recommended to arrive early in the morning as this is a popular beach with many locals.
Playa del Montañar, sits next to the harbour and is the beach used by the locals.
Bahia de Javea – Playa de la Grava
This is the perfect spot if you are a water sports enthusiast. This rocky beach links El Arenal and the Marina. you will often see kite surfers, sailing boats and kayaks here.
Cala Blanca, which means “White Beach”, this is a small pebble beach with crystal clear water, making it a perfect spot for snorkelling. This beach is only accessible by foot through a narrow steps along the rocks, therefore it is a much quieter beach.
Shopping
Javea is a great place to shop with an excellent choice of shops and boutiques.
Sports
Javea has an excellent choice of sea sport and fishing facilities. The modern yacht club at the sports marina has nearly 300 berths and offers all types of water sports: sailing, fishing, scuba diving, water skiing, and windsurfing.
Fiestas
As with any town there are lots of smaller fiestas but these are the main ones.
January, 19th - 21st dates may vary - San Sebastian · Bull Running -
San Sebastian has been the patron saint of Xàbia since medieval times when the terrified population of the village prayed to his image for special protection as the 'Black Plague' devastated Europe. Largely forgotten in recent years, the celebrations have been resurrected with bull-running around the church square.
February - CARNAVAL · Fancy Dress Processions 26th Feb 2022
Kids and Adults Procession through the Historic Centre of Xàbia
The children’s party will start at 17.00 with a parade from the Plaza Marina Alta to the Plaza Constitución.
Adults party from 23:00 hours in the Plaza de la Constitución, with a parade and musical entertainment.
Semana Santa - Easter Fiesta, dates vary
From 28 April – 3 May Javea pays homage to Jesus the Nazarene
July 14th - 22nd, Moors & Christians parades.
September - 1 - 8th 1 –8, the town celebrates their patroness Our Lady of Loreto.
Cuisine
The local cuisine of Javea is typically that of the Costa Blanca, which combines delicacies from both land and the Mediterranean Sea. Many civilizations have lived in this area (Celts, Iberians, Greeks, Romans, Muslims), all of which have all left their mark on the gastronomy.
If you have a sweet tooth then you will love the homemade pastries and deserts the whole region is famous for Jijona ice-cream (Nougat), which is made with the almonds of the region.
Outside the town, following the road to the San Antonio cape are the architectural sites that include the monastery of Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, a series of small hermitages clutch the slopes of the mountain and ancient windmills dominate the landscape.
The Ermita del Pòpul de Jávea
Another popular place to visit whilst here, this is situated on the road from Jávea to Jesús Pobre (CV-735), about 3 kilometers from the center of Xàbia, (carrer Ermita 1), it sits on the southern slope of the Montgó, formerly a rural area but now highly urbanized.
It is one of the oldest buildings in Xàbia dated in the 1972th century.
Throughout its history it has been modified, especially in the XNUMXth century, when it was deeply re-modelled and various elements were added, despite the interventions, the original Gothic building is intact.
The Cape of San Antonio
Situated just to the North of Javea, this is a nature reserve that covers an area of 110 hectares situated between Mongo mountains and the sea, here you will get fantastic views of the surrounding area, there are 15 different look out points, on a clear day you can even see Ibiza, you will also find a light house which has been in use since 1855 the cliffs at this point are 175m high, there are also 16th century watchtowers and old windmills, so if you fancy some hiking this is the area to head to.
Whilst in this area visit Cova Tallada (carved caves)
This is a cave excavated in the foothills of Cabo San Antonio above sea level, these served as a quarry to the Muslims and the excavated rock were used in the construction of some of the most unique buildings of Denia, including its castle, its shapes and its cavities make this cave a must see.
Go swimming at the cave (wear non slip shoes) and enjoy the crystal clear waters and enjoy looking at these spectacular rocks and the caves walls. There’s even a rock t0 stop the waves coming in so the water is very calm. If you want to go deeper into the cave make sure that you take a torch because its quite dark the further you go in, but there are a lot of interesting things deeper in to the cave.
Its about a 1km walk from the end of the road with lots of wooden steps and a rope to help you get to the bottom so not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties or young children. drive from Javea on route marked PR-CV 355.
Getting to Javea from Benidorm
By car, 57.3km via the AP-7 approximately 45 mins (tolls)
or take the scenic N332 coast road, approximately 1hr 10 mins, 46km
Public Transport
Javea itself does not have a tram station, you would need to to go to Denia or Gata do Gorgos which is the closest inland stop near to Javea (there is also a stop by La Sella Golf resort which is between Denia and Javea and then get a bus or taxi.
Taxi from Benidorm- cost approximately 55- 70€
ALSA bus, journey time around 1 hr 30 mins, buses run 3 times a day, cost approx 12€
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