Destination in Focus: Javea (Costa Blanca), Spain

Costa Blanca is typically identified as a destination full of tourist activities, but Javea is different. Halfway between Alicante and Valencia, the port town of Javea is your perfect idea of a relaxed holiday with a lot of new things to explore. Besides beautiful beaches and coves, the place attracts visitors for gastronomic delights, breathtaking views, medieval structures, colourful shops, outdoor activities and a plenty of other such exclusive Mediterranean experiences.

On the Mediterranean Coastline

To the delight of tourists, Javea has about 20 kilometres of coastline and a series of coves, capes, cliffs and mountains that constitute its wonderful landscape. The crystalline water of the sea makes it ideal for scuba diving. Visitors can bask in the sun at its two blue flag beaches: La Grava and Cala Granadella. These pebbly beaches are lined up by palm trees and a lot of bars and restaurants which serve great food amidst great scenery.

There are more than 15 scenic viewpoints distributed along the coast where visitors can stand and behold the panoramic view of the beautiful Mediterranean landscape. While most of them are easily accessible from the road, some of them can be encountered on hiking trails up in the mountains.

Reliving the medieval past

A stroll through the historical centre of Javea takes one back in time. The town has retained its medieval and gothic layout. The Church, Iglesia de San Bartolome, which is the centre of attraction here, was built between the 14th and 16th century and represents medieval architecture. One can also visit the Palau dels Sapena which is a fine example of Gothic architecture with its arched galleries and windows. A number of Gothic-style houses representing medieval lifestyle and sensibilities can be spotted on the streets around the church.

Go local on your shopping expedition

There are plenty of ways in which you can become a part of Javea’s local culture and one of them is by visiting the shops and markets here. The Abastos Municipal Market which is very close to the historical centre is a great place to shop for local products, most importantly for local gastronomic products. The colourful local produce laid out at the market is quite a sight and can’t be missed. Additionally, the weekly street market on every Thursday between Plaza de La Constitucion and Placeta del Convent breathes life into the otherwise quiet and relaxed atmosphere of the town. A lot of traditional family-owned shops and boutiques line up the network of alleys and create a distinct ambiance which makes for a memorable sight.

When holiday means great food and unique flavours

Dining in Javea is all about feasting on the delicious traditional Spanish cuisine in a picture perfect setting. The promenades along the beaches are full of restaurants and bars serving fantastic food. Most notable among these is eating out at Arenal beach.  Its unparalleled beauty and the noteworthy Tapas bars along its promenade combine to offer a memorable experience. Beyond the coastline, the restaurants in the town promise great dining opportunities, where the recipes of some of the dishes served can be traced back to a few centuries.

Sports and events to scale up the fun

Javea offers ample opportunities to spend time outdoors with facilities for horse riding, golf, water sports, clay pigeon shooting, and not to forget the amazing hiking and cycling trails. The Festival calendar of Javea, on the other hand, is full of events and festivals to keep the locals and visitors entertained all through the year as they become a part of the local tradition.