11 BEST Things To Do in Jávea - Costa Blanca (Spain)

Jávea (Xàbia in Valencian) is a popular seaside town on the Costa Blanca of Spain, where visitors come to relax and soak up the sun. Javea is a very diverse destination, with plenty of activities for all types of visitors: you have urban beaches and small coves for sun lovers and close by you also have coastal walks and hiking trails for those seeking an active holiday.

The thing that makes Javea so great is the climate, which is considered to be among the best microclimates in the world, according to a scientific study conducted in the '90s. The average annual temperature in Javea is around 18°C, which means mild winters, where temperatures rarely drop under 10°C.

What to do in Javea - Best places to visit and attractions

Most visitors come to Javea to enjoy the sun and the beautiful beaches of Costa Blanca, although the area has lots to offer for those looking for outdoor activities like hiking and walking.

1. Arenal Beach

Playa del Arenal is the main beach in Javea and also the only sandy beach in the municipality, which is why it is so popular among tourists.

With palm trees, fine sand and clear water, this beach is ideal for relaxation and sunbathing. 

Arenal Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag distinction and here you will find all the amenities for a great holiday on Costa Blanca: sunbeds, umbrellas, lifeguards, playground for kids and opportunities for water sports like SUP (stand up paddling).

Nearby you have the promenade, where you can find many places for lunch, without having to walk too far from the beach.

2. Arenal promonede

After the beach, the promenade next to Playa de Arenal is the most popular place to see in Javea. You have lovely views of the sea, restaurants and bars where you can stop for a drink and of course some shops for souvenirs and usual holiday shopping.

The promenade is everyone's favorite place for an evening walk and during the summer months, you even have an evening night market every night on the waterfront, which is opened until around midnight.

3. Historic Centre of Javea

 If you want to see the real Javea, you have to simply walk away from the tourist area and the promenade for about 2 km and you'll find yourself in what looks like another place and era.

The old town of Javea is surrounded by walls and it reminds of the town's past, since Javea was in the hands of the Moors up until the year 1244. 

You can admire the beautiful architecture, the old streets and the balconies decorated with colorful flowers. Don't miss the building of the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) and the fortified church of San Bartolome. 

4. San-Bartolomé Church

This is a church fortress, situated in the heart of the historic center of Javea.

The church of San Bartolome is one of the symbols of Javea and the building really stands out as impressive and imposing. It was built over 2 centuries from the 14th until the 16th century, but it was then expanded during the 18th and 19th centuries and nowaday it is included on the list of National Artistic Monuments of Spain.

5. Weekly Market

• when: every Thursday
• where: Plaza de la Constitución 

This is a typical market for Spain, with everything from fresh produce like fruits and vegetables to clothing items, leather goods, souvenirs and other types of trinkets. 

6. Municipal market of Javea 

• when: Monday - Friday from 8:00 to 14: 00 h and from 17:00 to 20: 00 h. On Saturdays from 8:00 to 15:00 h.
• where: Plaza Celestino Pons

If you're on a self-catering holiday in Javea and you're looking for the best ingredients to come some meals at home, the municipal market of Javea is the best place to go. 

You'll find here the best meat, the tastiest fruits and vegetables and you'll also find some bars and small restaurants where you can have a coffee or tapas with the locals. 

7. Ruta de los Miradores

Ruta de los Miradores is the best thing to do in Javea for those looking to explore the coastline om foot.

You have around 25 km of coastline paths which will take you to several Miradors (viewpoints). From these viewpoints, you have incredible views over Javea and the surrounding coastline. This is a well signposted trail, so you can simply follow the indicators which will lead you in the right direction.

Be careful during the summer months, as it can get very hot around lunchtime. We advise starting this walk early in the morning or later in the afternoon, towards sunset, even if you don't complete it all in one go. Take water with you, a hat and apply a generous amount of sun lotion to avoid sunburning. 

8. Cruz del Portixol

This viewpoint is actually part of the Ruta de Los Miradores. 

From Cruz del Portixol you actually get the best view of the Isla del Descubridor, the rock that you see in most of the photos of the coastline of Javea. It's only a short and easy walk to get to Cruz del Portixol from Arenal Beach but from here you can continue on the path to several other points.  

9. Cabo San Antonio

 Cabo San Antonio is regarded by many as the best viewpoint over the Bay of Javea, with incredible views also towards the Old Town of Javea and the Montgo Natural Park. 

You can walk here from Javea if you want to see more of the coastline on foot, as the entire way here offers lovely views and is a great thing to do especially in spring and autumn when it's not so hot outside. 

If you have a rented car you can even drive to Mirador Cap de Sant Antoni on the CV-7362 until you reach the parking area. Leave the car there and then explore on foot to see the magnificent views. 

10. Cap de la Nau 

Cap de la Nau is the closest point on the continent to the island of Ibiza and the natural border between the Gulf of Valencia and the Bay of Alicante. 

This is a very popular place to visit in the area of Javea, as you can easily reach it by car and there is a dedicated parking area. There are even some restaurants in the area where you can have a meal with a spectacular view of the surrounding areas. 

Cape Nao is the easternmost point of the Valencian Community and there's even a lighthouse with the same name, which is still used in navigation.

11. Montgó Natural Park

You can see Montgó mountain from many parts of the region between Javea, Denia and Onadar, dominating the landscape with its altitude of around 750 m, which makes it the highest point in the area.

There are 3 main walking routes for visitors to explore Montgo Natural Park:

• ruta La Cova de l’Aigua (water cave) and el Racó del Bou
• ruta Les Planes. Recreational area and los Molinos
• ruta Cabo de San Antonio. Cala del Tango