Javea on Spain's Costa Blanca
Superb beaches, shops and restaurants

Javea - great shops, bars and nightlife.

Javea, on Spain's northern Costa Blanca in Alicante province, is set between the twin capes of San Antonio and La Nao. Javea is a relaxed town with a typically Spanish atmosphere, and has many contrasting features.

Javea is overlooked by the impressive El Montgo mountain, famous for its appearance of a slumbering elephant, with its trunk pointing out to sea.

Javea comprises three main areas - the old town, the fishing port and the Arenal beach - on the best on the Costa Blanca. The wooded hills behind the beach and Javea's old town hide the beautiful residential areas.

Javea's old historic town centre is inland, and is well worth visiting. The old town still retains much of its Medieval past including narrow winding streets, small squares and the 15th century church of San Bartholomew in Plaza de la Iglesia.

Other areas of interest include the food market, cultural centre, Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the chapel of Santa Ana, all within easy walking distance.

Lying in a pretty sheltered bay, the popular sandy Arenal beach has a long, very attractive promenade with many excellent shops and boutiques selling a wide range of quality goods, beach wear and accessories.

The Arenal has a great variety of bars and restaurants along its wonderful sandy beach and is the centre of Javea's nightlife. The Arenal's restaurants cater for every taste, serving most European cuisines, and at night the many bars come to life, offering a good mix of live music, discos and entertainment.

The working fishing port alongside the marina is fascinating, full of character and together with the marina is one of the main tourist areas of the town. Its many attractions include shops, bars and restaurants - and a very attractive promenade.

The adventurous can discover the small shingled beaches at Granadella, bordered by pine trees and ideal for scuba diving. The Ambolo beaches are popular with naturists, and there are several small coves accessible only from the sea.

The superb climate means you can live the out-door life all year round - read more about Javea's weather.

The El Montgo mountain separates the town from its neighbour of Denia. About 10 km to the north, Denia is a large town and port with daily crossings to the Balearic Islands. The town is bustling with many interesting shops and lively cafes, plus a ruined Castle and miles of sandy beaches. In the summer, pleasure boats sail between Cabo San Antonio and Denia up to three times daily.

Benidorm is just a forty minute drive away, and is famous for its many spectacular attractions including the Aqualandia water theme park, the Mundomar dolphin water park and Terra Mitica - the vast theme park boasting some of the largest rides in Europe.

Further inland, the beautiful and fascinating historic fortress village of Guadalest set high in the mountains is well worth a visit. A short drive from Guadalest is the beautiful and tranquil Waterfalls of Algar, cool in the summer and with stunning mountain scenery.