10 Places to See in Jávea (Alicante)

This guide with the best places to see in Jávea helps you explore one of the most beautiful towns on the Costa Blanca and in Alicante, making the most of your time. Located in the Marina Alta region on the shore of a small bay flanked by the capes San Antonio and Nao, Jávea (Xàbia in Valencian) impresses with its charming old town, where you can travel back to the Middle Ages, as well as its many beaches and coves where you can relax and enjoy a refreshing dip. Although half a day is sufficient to explore the town’s main attractions, you can choose to stay here in the summer and spend more time enjoying some of the best coves on the Costa Blanca like Granadella or take day trips to other towns in the Alicante province such as Calpe, Denia, or Altea. Based on our experiences when we visited the area during our tour of the Valencia region, we have compiled a list of what we consider the 10 most important places to see in Jávea. Let’s begin.

1. Jávea’s Old Town

After parking in one of the underground parking garages located around the car-free old town, for example at Plaza Constitución, one of the best things to do in Jávea is to take a stroll through the cobblestone streets surrounded by whitewashed houses and palaces that testify to the town’s history under various civilizations. Among our favorite streets in the center are carrer Estret, Sant Pere Mártir, Mayor, and Verge del Pilar, but the best thing is to wander without a map in the old town within the city walls until you reach Plaça de l’Església, the town’s central meeting point. In these streets, you will also find some of Jávea’s best restaurants, such as Volta i Volta, Cajita Azul, and Portitxol Jávea.

2. San Bartolomé Church – One of the Must-See Places in Jávea

The San Bartolomé Church-Fortress on Plaça de l’Església, declared a cultural and historical monument, is the town’s most prominent building. This fortified religious structure originally dates back to the 14th century, serving both as a church and a fortress against pirate attacks. Its current Gothic-Isabelline style is from the 16th century. On the sturdy Tuscan facade, you can see two entrances dedicated to San Bartolomé and San Gil, while the interior features a single nave with side chapels and vaulted ceilings.

**Opening Hours:** Monday to Friday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

3. Jávea Town Hall

On the same plaza, opposite the lateral entrance to San Bartolomé Church, lies the Town Hall, another of Jávea’s iconic buildings. It was built in the 18th century on the site where the 17th-century San Cristóbal chapel once stood and retains its neoclassical facade. Through the glazed floor on the ground level, you can see old graves, and inside the building, you will find the town’s tourist office where you can obtain more information or a map. If you want to learn more about the town’s history and ensure you don’t miss anything, it’s recommended to book a free tour or a private group tour.

4. The Municipal Market (Mercado Municipal de Abastos)

Opposite another of San Bartolomé Church’s facades, where the 17th-century Descalzas-Augustiner monastery once stood, you will find the popular municipal market. One of the best things to do in Jávea is to walk inside to see the rustic arches of Tuscan style (typical of Cabo de San Antonio), check out local products like meat, fish, vegetables, and cheeses, and maybe enjoy a refreshment or a tapa in one of the small bars.
**Opening Hours:** Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

5. Playa del Arenal

After visiting the old town, you can either walk (about 30 minutes) or drive to the harbor and explore some of Jávea’s best beaches, such as Playa del Arenal. This crescent-shaped town beach, the only sandy beach in the bay, is perfect for families thanks to its shallow, clear waters and good facilities. Along the promenade, you will find seaside restaurants with views, such as La Fontana, Bohemians, and Posidonia.

6. Boat Trips – One of the Best Activities in Jávea

After a stroll along the promenade and some time on the beach, you can head down to the marina to try water sports such as sailing trips or canoeing along the Costa Blanca – among the most popular things to do in Jávea.
Among the top-rated are:

Canoeing + Snorkeling
Catamaran Tour with Grill
Excursion to Cala Granadella by Catamaran with Food
Catamaran Tour to Portichol Island with Paella
Paddleboarding
Boat Tour around the Cliffs and Portichol Island by Catamaran
Boat Rental without License

7. Cabo de San Antonio

From the harbor, you can take a 4-kilometer hike or drive about 10 minutes to reach Cabo de San Antonio, located at one end of Montgó Natural Park and another must-see in Jávea. The cape, ending in a lighthouse, offers a spectacular panoramic view of the entire Jávea bay and the dramatic cliffs along the Alicante coast.

8. Montgó Natural Park

Located between the municipalities of Jávea and Denia, Montgó Natural Park is a protected natural area ideal for hiking. Among the more challenging routes is the ascent to the Montgó massif at 753 meters, but there are also less demanding trails that lead you through almond trees and offer views of the Mediterranean Sea. If you are traveling with children or prefer an easy route, you can take the 5-kilometer Camí de la Colonia, which starts at the Pare Pere hermitage and ends at Cova del Gamell. A moderately challenging hike (about 3 hours) is the trip to Cova de L’Aigua, which also starts at the Pare Pere hermitage and leads you to Racó del Bou. After completing one of these hikes, it’s recommended to visit the spectacular Cova Tallada and Torre del Gerro, two must-see attractions in Jávea.

9. Molinos de la Plana

The eleven windmills at La Plana, dating back to the 18th century (except one from the 14th century), are located in Montgó Natural Park and are one of the gems surrounding Jávea as well as one of the most important places to see in the Valencia region. These windmills are the largest historical mill complex in the region, cylindrical and approximately 7 meters high, with two floors where the ground floor was used for storage and the upper floor for grinding grain. You can park about 200 meters from the mills, but you can also take an easy hiking trail from the rest area at Cap de Sant Antoni or a more challenging one from the marina in Jávea.

10. Coves on Costa Blanca

To conclude this list of places to experience in Jávea, it is recommended to spend a day at some of the best beaches in Alicante and the Valencia region such as Cala del Portitxol, Cala Granadella, and Cala del Moraig. Cala del Portitxol (also known as Cala Barraca) is famous for its whitewashed fisherman’s houses with blue doors – perfect for Instagram. Cala Granadella will captivate you from the first moment with its crescent shape and crystal-clear waters, especially when viewed from the upper viewpoints. Cala del Moraig offers turquoise waters surrounded by Benitachell’s high cliffs, and on one side, you will find the picturesque Cova dels Arcs. Remember, these beaches are extremely popular, so come early in the high season to secure a parking spot, as they are small and access is limited when they are full.

Excursions from Jávea

If you have more time in Jávea, we suggest taking an excursion to some of the nearby wonders, such as:

Denia: This town, located about a 20-minute drive from Jávea, is known for its charming fishing district and the famous castle. To ensure you don’t miss anything, you can follow this list of places to see in Denia.
Moraira: A tourist town 20 minutes from Jávea, perfect for a day at one of its beaches and tasting a delicious arroz al senyoret at the Rincón de Moraira restaurant. For more information, you can read this post on what to see in Moraira.
Calpe: Located about a 30-minute drive from Jávea, you’ll find Calpe, especially impressive with the mighty Peñón de Ifach rock formation, beautiful beaches, and a wide range of recreational activities. To ensure you don’t miss anything, you can follow this list of places to see in Calpe.
Altea: Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain and enchanting at first sight thanks to the whitewashed houses in its old town. To ensure you don’t miss anything, you can follow this list of places to see in Altea.

Accommodation in Jávea

Our recommended hotel for staying in Jávea is Parador de Jávea, surrounded by exotic gardens and right next to Arenal Beach. In addition to its fantastic location, the hotel offers an outdoor pool, a quality restaurant, private parking, and friendly staff.

Other well-located accommodations with excellent value for money include Hotel Jávea, Botanico Beauty Villa del Mar, and Hotel Sol de Jávea.

For a romantic getaway, we also recommend checking out this list of charming hotels in Alicante.