💯 Okay this is IT… your essential Javea Holiday Travel Guide! I have covered EVERYTHING you need to know from where to stay, best activities, day trips ideas & OH so much more.
This Javea Holiday guide contains it all. I answer everything you want to know about taking a vacation in Javea, and link you to my in-depth guides. This post is basically the mothership – the one that directs you where to go if you want further information.
If you’re in the Javea holiday planning stages, or you’ve arrived and looking for a guide for things to do… I’m here to help. I can tell you the best holiday homes and hotels to book, where to stay, how to pronounce Javea, or the cheapest car rental in town. If you need tips on where to do your grocery shopping, or the best restaurants to try, I’m your lady.
WE have lived as digital nomads in Javea twice, each time for 3 months. As such we spent a great deal of time exploring Javea north to south, east to west!
Consider this Javea holiday guide the icing on your cake, or more likely, the gin to your tonic!
* This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support!
Table of Contents
Things to Know Before Your Javea Holiday
No more dribble, let’s get right into into it! Following are answers to questions regarding the planning side of your Javea Holiday. If you’re already in Javea, then jump ahead to the section – The Ultimate Holiday Travel Info for Javea.
How to Pronounce Javea… or Xabia
Like me, you might be slightly confused about the names Javea and Xabia. These are NOT two different locations… they are the same place, just said and spelt differently.
Javea (pronounced ha-vee-a) is Spanish, while Xabia (pronounced sha-vee-a) is the local Valencian dialect.
From my experience, I have found that Javea is often used in the more tourist part of town – at the Arenal. While the Historic Centre and the Port end of town, the name Xabia is more frequently in use. This is not necessarily the case at all times, it is merely my observation.
It’s relevant to note that I may refer to both throughout this guide.
What is Javea Known For
Javea is well known for stunning steep cliffs, the beautiful miradors or lookouts, with hidden bays and calas. The natural beauty of Javea is what we love the most… hiking in the Montgo Natural Park, or snorkelling and kayaking in the San Antonio Reserve.
You won’t find a coastline saturated with high-rise apartment and hotel blocks in Javea. As a result it maintains a Spanish essence, in comparison to neighbouring cities such as Calpe and Benidorm. There is a certain boutique, small town feel. Naturally this appeals to holidaymakers who want an authentic experience from their vacation in Spain.
Also many expats settle in Javea. This means there are many imported items found in the supermarkets, as well as restaurants that cater to varied cuisines. English is widely spoken which makes holidaying easy. Consequently, Javea finds itself in a balance between being typically Spanish, but also able to offer familiar comforts.
As such, a holiday in Javea provides the best of both worlds – a blend of culture mixed with convenience.
How to Get to Javea – How Far is It From the Airport
Javea is bang smack in the middle between Valencia and Alicante. Both are international airports, with flights direct from all over Europe, also some arriving from Morocco and Egypt.
RyanAir dominates the cheapest flight category, arguably providing flights that are too cheap. But hey, I’ve been there too, capitalising on their sales.
To Alicante, the cheapest of the bunch in the way of direct flights come from London, Newquay, Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Milan, Stockholm, Porto and Fes. To Valencia, there are more options the cheapest including Manchester, Edinburgh, Vienna and Berlin. But there are also MANY more!
From what I see Valencia currently receives flights from a larger number of destinations, and is also slightly cheaper. But it’s worth hopping onto Google Flights, putting Valencia into the start point, and then selecting explore, to find airports closest to you.
Valencia Airport to Javea: Travel time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Alicante Airport to Javea: Travel time is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
An affordable airport transport provider that we have used is Beniconnect. They are efficient, easy to book online and comparatively cheaper than other airport transfer platforms out there.
The Best Holiday Homes & Hotels in Javea
As mentioned above, Javea is NOT bursting at the seams with all inclusive resorts and hotels. Trust me this is a positive thing. However, there are a huge selection of accommodation options in terms of holiday rentals, villas and apartments, as well as a handful of excellent hotels.
Javea is divided into three main areas, each offering a completely different and unique holiday experience. Firstly there’s the main sandy beach and promenade known as the Arenal, then the pebble beach of Playa de la Grava at the Port, and finally the Historic Centre, or Old Town.
We have prepared a full post on 17 of the best hotels and accommodation stays for Javea. In this guide I explain each of the three parts of Javea, and their points of interest. I provide accommodation options for families, couples and groups, across different budgets and locations throughout Javea. Each suggestion comes with excellent reviews, I also try to include sustainable properties where possible.
I would note, that particularly in July and August, everything books up months in advance. Therefore you’ll want to move quickly on reserving your perfect place.
Camping and Hostels in Javea
There are two camp grounds in Javea. The first is Camping El Naranjal located near the Arenal, and the second is Camping Javea closer to the Historic Centre.
They both get extremely busy, and we advise you book in advance directly through their website. In terms of amenities both have a swimming pool, plots for tents, caravan parking spaces, bungalows and more.
Our friends arrived with their camper van in October without a booking and got the very last space at Camping Javea. So as I said, be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
In terms of hostels, check out Hostel Xabia in the Port, and Youth Hostel Javea in the Old Town.
Getting Around in Javea – Holiday Transport Options
For the cheapest car rental options from Valencia and Alicante Airport, we’ve searched Rental Cars, Skyscanner, Qeeq and Discover Cars. The two platforms who offer the lowest prices, with full insurance, is Discover Cars and Qeeq.
Alternatively, if you plan on staying long term in Javea, for a month or more, then get in touch with Martin from Mia Cars in Javea. We rented with him on both occasions that we lived in Javea. His cars are far from new, but subsequently they are very well priced! So long as you are okay with driving around in an older car, with some bumps and bruises, maybe spongey brakes or sticky clutch, then this is a super budget option for you.
However, if you want something short term, something reliable and comfortable, then click the Discover Rental image above, or the link to Qeeq.
Taxis, Scooters & E-Bikes
As the price of petrol increases, renting a scooter or E-Bike becomes more and more popular.
Take a Taxi – Radio Taxi have the largest fleet of taxis in Javea. You can call them on 965 793 224. Check their rates online, and download the app to book your taxi with ease.
Rent a Bike – Depending on where you are staying, you’ll find a few options for bike rental. Xabia’s Bike is in the Port; Blanca Bikes is in the Historic Centre; and Rent Bike Javea in the Arenal.
Rent a Scooter – Check out Martin’s Javea Scooter Rental. He has a large range of scooters, you can choose 50cc to 125cc. And the best part is they are available also for long term rental. You’ll find all his prices listed on the website.
Taking the DeniBus – ToscamarBus
This is the bus route available in Javea, which connects the three areas of the town. From the Old Town, to the Arenal, to the Port, you can travel the loop for a few Euros.
On Sunday and winter bank holidays, the bus doesn’t run.
We recommend you check the DeniBus for timetable changes and updates.
If you are travelling with kids, you might want to take the train instead. YES… the train (like a road train). It runs a similar route, but all the details are in my Javea with Kids Guide.
What is the Weather in Javea Like
It’s gorgeous of course! Summer is in July and August and the days are long and hot, and perfect for chilling by the pool or the beach. Either side of summer, May to June and September to October, the days are slightly cooler, a great time to go hiking or on a family walk.
See the average temperatures of Javea for each month of the year:
| January | 7 – 17 oC | July | 20 – 30 oC |
| February | 8 – 18 oC | August | 21 – 31 oC |
| March | 9 – 20 oC | September | 19 – 29 oC |
| April | 11 – 21 oC | October | 15 – 25 oC |
| May | 13 – 23 oC | November | 11 – 20 oC |
| June | 18 – 27 oC | December | 8 – 18 oC |
Often when it’s raining in Valencia or Alicante, the sun in Javea is shining. That’s not to say that it doesn’t rain in Javea! When the skies open, you’ll want to have a rain jacket and waterproof shoes on hand. But obviously the wetter months are in winter.
If you’re travelling soon, you might want to check the Javea weather forecast here.
What to Pack for Javea
The fun part… beach, sun, summer! You can smell it now right.
Now because we travel full-time, packing is one of this skills I have perfected over the years. I have created a little packing list that you might find useful. No need to print it off, it just helps you figure out if you’ve missed an item on your own packing list. Or maybe you’ll find a handy little product to add to your repertoire of handy little travel gadgets.
As the bare minimum, you’ll want to have multiple bikinis, a couple of travel towels, hats, sunblock, snorkel and mask. Then you’ll want to throw in a cool little travel speaker, a Go-Pro and a kindle. But do read our list below, for our favourite travel items and best sustainable travel items too!
The Best Travel Insurance
Before you jump on that plane, you might want to hook yourself up some good travel insurance. For our short holiday and vacation stays, I always use World Nomads travel insurance. You can buy it online in a matter of minutes, I often find myself buying it on my mobile phone on the way to the airport!
The Ultimate Holiday Travel Info for Javea
So, your flights are booked, the rental car is waiting at the airport for you. The bags are packed and it’s time to board that plane and get your Javea Holiday show on the road!
A few hours later, and you have cruised into Javea on the CV-734 and caught your first glimpse of Montgo – that large mountain backdrop which resembles an elephant. So what to do now, what beaches should you visit first, what activities should you book in?
Here we go… the fun starts NOW!
Where are the Tourist Information Centres
I mean, I think I’ve got you covered with my in depth guides here. But if you want to make a visit to the Tourist Information Centre, then I recommend the one in the Historic Centre. The staff are super friendly and it’s easy to find, in front of the Saint Bartholomew Church.
If that one is out of your way, I’ve marked up on the map above in red, the three Tourist Info Centres available in the three seperate areas of Javea. These are the Arenal, the Port and the Historic Centre.
Where to Shop in Javea
One of the things I love about arriving in a new place, is browsing the supermarket shelves. Please tell me I’m not the only crazy person that enjoys this. So… below I will tell you which supermarkets are good for the weekly shop, which markets to visit and so on.
On the map, you’ll see shopping locations marked in blue. IF I’ve missed something, or you have more questions about where to shop, drop a comment below or get in touch.
Supermarkets
My favourite supermarket in Javea is the Consum, just outside town in the Arenal. This is where you can find almost everything you need for the weekly grocery shop. They have a great meat and deli section, along with oven pizzas and chips. You know, those quick and easy vacation dinners that always go down a treat.
The alcohol and wine selection is great, with some perfectly drinkable bottles of tinto from €3 and above. Holiday treats like crumpets and hot cross buns can be found in the freezer section. It’s the kind of all-rounder supermarket that has a bit of everything. And every summer, tourists can be found browsing the aisles filling trolleys with a holiday grocery shop.
There is also the Mercadona and Mas y Mas. These are slightly cheaper alternatives, but that have less in the way of variety.
Then for the English visitors who are REALLY missing home, you’ll be excited to know that Javea has an Overseas / Iceland Supermarket. This is full of frozen meals and UK brands, that you might be missing from home.
Beach Toys
For beach toys for the kids, jump into the Bazar Shanghai near the Arenal. They have everything you need from eye glasses to stationery, beach toys to celebration supplies. It’s all there, and it’s all cheap. It might not last long, but it should last long enough to see out your holiday in Javea.
Boutique Shops
You’ll find shopping in all three areas of town. Cute clothes and bikinis, home decor and that sort of thing. The Historic Centre is full of boutique options, leather shops, jewellery, clothes, shoes and boutique wine stores.
Market Shopping
There are a number of fabulous markets in and around Javea. The kind where you can pick up some local tapas, handcrafts, cheap clothes, bags and so on.
- My top recommend is the Ruirau Sunday Farmers Market at Jesus Pobre. This is an experience actually, a place to go find some special one-off pieces, and a great place to try local regional foods.
- The Mercat de Xabia in the Historic Centre is a great place to pick up local olives, cheeses, honey and tapas, to enjoy at home.
- Head to the Markets in the Old Town on a Thursday morning. Grab fresh fruit and veggie, some churros or a cute little flamenco dress for the kids.
- Check out the Posit de Xabia Fish Market at the Port, for the local catch of the day.
(We share more information about the market timings in our holiday guide – things to do in Javea.)
Secondhand shopping
I’ll give a special shout out to my favourite second hand clothing shop, the Original Charity Shop near the Arenal. The clothes change regularly which means there is constantly new stock on the shelves. I have found many a bargain, and many a cute outfit on my visits.
This non-profit shop is always super busy with customers. It’s open from 10am to 1pm everyday except Sunday.
Portal de marina mall & Shopping Centre
The last one worth mentioning, though it’s 15 minutes from Javea, is the Portal de la Marina Mall. If you need a Carrefour or an Ikea for some reason this is your place.
Recycling and Rubbish Disposal
Okay now I’m not going to say I completely understand Javea’s rubbish and recycling system. After two years it still kind of confuses me. In all honesty, I’m not sure most Javea locals and residents fully understand the system. But hey ho, I’ll tell you what I know.
In Javea there is no home collection rubbish service. Instead you will find these bins dotted around the streets and this is where you bring your household waste. These bins are coloured to represent how your waste should be separated.
I’ll explain the colours below –
- Green dome bin – this is where you put glass
- Grey bin – the non recyclables and organic waste
- Blue bin – carton, paper and cardboard
- Yellow bin – plastics, tetra packs, aliminium cans, plastic bags and so on
It is not uncommon to see general waste thrown into the yellow bin or blue bin. Unfortunately, it seems many don’t take the time to seperate their waste. I recommend now that you know how the recyclables can be divided in Javea, that you begin the separation process at home.
Free & Cheap Carparks in Javea
Parking can be a challenge in the middle of summer. The one downside of being such a popular holiday beach destination, is the number of visitors it attracts during the school holidays.
To help you out I’ve marked on the map in green, some of the best places to pick yourself up a free or cheap carpark. But I will also add that if you don’t get there early, chances are the spaces will have gone. Each of the places we recommend, are just slightly further out of town, that way spaces are normally easier to come by. So just allow a 5 to 10 minute walk.
- Arenal Free Parking – Aparcamiento Minusválidos is a couple of blocks back from the beach. This street parking is very likely to fill up early. But you’ll have a better chance finding a park here, than you will near the restaurants and promenade.
- Port Free Parking – Parking público near the fishermen mural is perfect for the port. Just a few blocks away from the beach and the church, this car park is our go to every time.
- Historic Centre Paid Parking – Parking Xabia above the Plaza de la Constitucion is probably the easiest place to park for your visit to the old town. The narrow streets of the Historic Centre are mostly restricted to pedestrian only, therefore parking is limited. We did find the underground parking at the Plaza, very affordable and also easy. From here the centre is walking distance.
The Best Beaches Guide to Javea
Fortunately for you we have really done our homework on the best beaches in Javea. And boy was it tiresome! The life of a travel blogger, I tell you. Okay I’ll stop bragging now…
But seriously, I have visited every beach in Javea and the post below explains it all. Also included in this post are 5 bonus beaches that you can visit outside Javea in areas such as Calpe, Denia and Moraira.
To get you started though, these are the 8 main beaches and calas of Javea –
- The Arenal or main beach
- Cala Blanca & La Caleta de Dins
- Cala Barraca – AKA Portixol
- Cala Sardinera
- Granadella
- Javea Port Beach – Playa de la Grava
- Cala Tango
- Cala Ambolo
Some of these beaches are kid-friendly, and others not so much. But we share all the details, including information about how to get there, where to park, which beaches are good for snorkelling and more. Our beach guide even comes with a handy little map.
A Guide to the Best Things to Do in Javea on Holiday
I know you love me right now don’t you! See I told you we had you covered. Another epic and detailed post I wrote just for you is this 21 Things to Do in Javea blog.
This one highlights, and frankly showcases, the BEST of Javea. It’s a collection of experiences and activities that we did over our two long stays in Javea. Everything from the best boat tours in Javea, to kayak tours, to wine tasting. It combines the great outdoors with a touch of shopping… naturally it was a pleasure to write.
I highly recommend you read my post, because dropping in a bullet pointed list here, just wouldn’t do it justice.
Read: 21 Things to Do in Javea
A Hike & Walk Guide for a Holiday in Javea
Given that we love a good budget holiday, we are aways looking for walking trails and hikes. As a result we have developed a somewhat active lifestyle when travelling. We walked all the trails in and around Javea and then wrote another very detailed guide.
The walking and hiking trails in Javea range from anywhere between a couple of kilometres up to 10+ kilometres. There are some super challenging trails, and some gentle ones that take in the stunning miradors and lookouts. We recommend you try one or two for your vacation in Javea as they are a great way to gain perspective of the beautiful coastline.
Below are a list of all of the trails in Javea. Our guide connects you to the offical trail guide, as well as relevant AllTrail or Wikiloc Maps that we know will help.
- Ermita Santa Llucia Walking Route
- Los Molinos – The Windmills – 3+ options
- Cala Blanca and Caleta de Dins – Beach Walk
- Cala Barraca aka Portixol – Beach Walk
- Cap Prim and Sardinera Cove – Mirador & Beach Walk
- Granadella – 4 Options – Mirador & Castle Walk
- Montgo – Summit and Mirador Walk
- Cova Tallada – Sea Cave Walk
A Restaurant Guide for Your Holiday in Javea
Javea is gastronomy central! In each of the three corners of Javea there are so many incredible options to choose from. Below is a guide to a few of our favourite places to enjoy a holiday meal and a wee beverage in Javea.
Beach Views
Cala Clemence – One of my favourite places for breakfast or lunch would have to Cala Clemence at Portixol Beach. The views over Cala Barraca are absolutely to die for, and the food and service satisfies every time. Be sure to book in advance and I also recommend you read my post on the beaches of Javea, where I explain the challenges with parking, but an alternative park and walk option.
💰 $$-$$$
📍 Cala Barraca AKA Portixol
⏱ Monday to Sunday 9am to 7pm
🫒 Mediterranean / Spanish
La Siesta – A fun and lively beach bar restaurant between the Port and the Arenal. La Siesta operates on a walk-in policy, so there’s no worry about booking ahead. Take a break from the sun during the middle of the day, order a large glass of sangria and chill.
💰 $$-$$$
📍 Av. Mediterraneo
⏱ Monday to Sunday 9am to 2am
🫒 Mediterranean / International
The Arenal
Chabada – This was our go to at the Arenal for a relaxed wine and tapas. Chabada’s location across from the beach, means the kids can play on the jungle gym while you enjoy some down time. This is parenting at its best. I recommend the taster platter to share, its a nice way to try a little bit of everything.
💰 $$-$$$
📍 Paseo Amanecer
⏱ Monday to Sunday 9am to 3am
🫒 International / Spanish
Geographic – Here’s a great option for breakfast or lunch, I often stopped into Geographic for coffee and a cake. Thanks to the sweet cabinet and kids menu, this was always my kids first choice. They also get jam packed when the football is playing.
💰 $$-$$$
📍 Paseo Amanecer
⏱ Monday to Sunday 9am to 2am
🫒 International / European
Carnaval – You can enjoy Carnaval anytime of the day! For breakfast they do a great full English. But also in the evening, a glass of sparkling and a plate of sushi goes down a treat.
💰 $$-$$$
📍 Paseo Amanecer
⏱ Monday to Sunday 9am to 2am
🫒 Mexican / Mediterranean / Sushi
Typical tapas
Bar Tal Cual Tapas and Cocktails – These guys are very well known among the locals in Javea for their excellent tapas. Tal Cual is located in the Port, the vibe is easy going and the tapas hit their mark. It’s simple Spanish food, made well and served with a smile.
💰 $-$$
📍 Port – Calle Andres Lambert
⏱ Wednesday to Monday 11am to 12.30am – Tuesday closed
🫒 Tapas / Spanish / Mediterranean
Bar Imperial – Another fabulous traditional Spanish bar with tapas in the heart of the Historic Centre. We have had a coffee and breakfast at Bar Imperial and also enjoyed tapas and a cerveza on a seperate visit. The outdoor location, is super for atmosphere and well frequented by the locals.
💰 $-$$
📍 Historic Centre – Placa de Baix
⏱ Thursday to Tuesday 8am to 12am – Wednesday closed
🫒 Tapas / Spanish / Mediterranean
Casual Dining
El Gaucho – This is a delicious steak restaurant beyond the Historic Centre. El Gaucho gets very busy in the evenings for dinner, so be sure to book in advance. It’s the kind of place to go for a meal out with friends. And you can be sure of a perfectly cooked steak and a great bottle of wine.
💰 $$-$$$
📍 Ctra. de Jesus Pobre
⏱ Wednesday to Monday 7pm to 12am – Tuesday closed
🫒 Steakhouse
Fontana – If you are walking the Arenal and you feel like more than the usual relaxed vibes of most restaurants, then try Fontana. They do a little of everything, steak, to pizza and pasta. We had a lovely family mid-week meal, with great service and delicious food.
💰 $$-$$$
📍 Arenal – Paseo Amanecer
⏱ Monday to Sunday 9am to 11pm
🫒 International / Mediterranean
Fine Dining
And the good news is that I have collected images from a handful of the best restaurants in Javea. Very soon I will share my post on the best restaurants in Javea. Not too many, so that you’ll feel overwhelmed by choice, but instead a select handful where I know you’ll have the most incredibly memorable meal.
This one is coming very soon!
Day Trip Guides from Javea
If you have a rental car then you’ll definitely want to take a day trip or two, to explore beyond Javea. There are some easy little day trips that we recommend –
- The city of Valencia – 1½ hours from Javea
- Inland town of Anna – cascades and the Counts of Cervellón’s Palace – 1½ hours from Javea
- Pou Clar – river with swimming holes – 1 hour 15 minutes from Javea
- Guadalest – mountain village and castle – 1+ hour from Javea
- Calpe – coastal town with swimming and historic centre – 35 minutes from Javea
We have two complete guides for you two read if you are considering a day trip. The first is to Guadalest Castle and the second is to Calpe. Our guides cover how to get to each destination, things to do, places to eat and a little interesting history on each location.
Read: Visit Guadalest Castle and Calpe
Visiting Javea as a Family
Javea is a very popular destination for a family holiday. It’s a family friendly destination, with loads of things to do. Consequently I really enjoyed writing a dedicated holiday guide to Javea for kids. So if you’re planning to visit with the kids then this is a must read.
This guide, is a little different from our others. It includes Javea’s coolest forest park, and a train ride between all three parts of Javea. We introduce geo-caching, and let me just say, Javea is a fantastic location to learn about the excitement of cache hunting.
Basically, this post below is a celebration of all the fun that we got up to as a family in Javea!
Is Javea Worth Visiting
After reading the above holiday guide to Javea, surely now you can answer this question for yourself.
Because if you want my opinion, I will gush about Javea. Both times we have lived in Javea have been completely different experiences. After months of exploring, I know there is still more waiting for us, for when we return.
Summer in Javea to me means, golden sunshine, clear turquoise water in pebble bays, and a glass of red in my hand, or cava… I’m not fussy. It’s a place where I can see myself returning again. And as I write this final post on Javea, I’m already homesick for my bestie who now lives there.
Javea is a special place to holiday in Spain. Where other towns have been overrun by over-tourism, Javea holds onto its Spanish roots. And I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
More on Spain
Throughout this complete holiday and travel guide to Javea, we have shared links to our more specific and related posts. But perhaps you’d also be interested in our posts, from other destinations in Spain.
💃 Read our guide to 3 days in Barcelona
✨ Explore other vacation spots in Spain
💎 Get our itinerary to the South of Spain
🍇 Find out how to visit the beautiful Granada
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