There’s a saying in Javea: Once you’ve lived within the eye of its famous Montgo mountain, you’ll never leave. It’s hard to see why you’d ever want to. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Costa Blanca,’ Javea is prettier than any postcard with its shimmering turquoise shores. Its hidden caves and bays ,which were once used by pirates and smugglers, now awash with sunbathers, snorkelers and scuba divers. This pretty, ancient fishing village has seem some changes over the years, growing in both size and popularity, however it has retained both its charm and beauty. The earliest record of human inhabitation in Javea is 30,000 years ago, 5000 years after the first modern humans arrived on the Iberian Peninsula. They were nomadic tribes of people living a hunter-gather existence who lived fruitful and comfortable lives due to the availability of animals and fish as well as the mild climate. If you visit the Montgo, and are fit enough to climb for 4 hours, you can visit these caves and look at ancient paintings thought to be 5000 years old.
Javea’s diversity, for its size, is incredible. It’s also a very diverse town in relation to its inhabitants. Spanish, Dutch, English, Belgian, French, English, Irish, Scottish, We could go on, and on! What is still striking after all these these is the friendliness of those who live here.
It’s three main areas offer traditional Spanish culture; breathtaking views; incredible gastronomy; pure tranquillity and relaxation whether you’re choosing to live or stay a while or are simply visiting for a short break and seeking some uncomplicated fun in the sun! The historic old town is a beautiful place with a rich heritage waiting to surprise you. Filled with breath-taking architecture and spellbinding stories that ancient civilisations, passing through the city, have left over the centuries. Wander the pretty cobbled streets; wonder at its white houses and black trellises (filled with tropical flowers and gorgeous greenery) and sample some of the finest tapas in town. Marvel at the glorious Gothic architecture. Make sure you visit the Iglesia de San Bartolomé , built as a safeguard in case of pirate attacks; the City Hall “Ayuntamiento”, a beautiful eighteenth century building erected at the top of an ancient medieval cemetery and the Museo Histórico y Etnológico, located in Casa-Palacio de Antonio Banyuls, which houses historical artefacts found right here on Javea’s coastlines.
Getting around Javea is pretty easy. The lack of traffic and road systems see little congestion. Javea’s Port area is becoming increasingly popular for both buyers and visitors alike. Still, very much a Spanish Community full of independent shops, bars and restaurants, it’s seen some redevelopment over the past two years. Its hidden back streets are now alive with visitors who prefer a more relaxed pace to the neighbouring Arenal. Here, you'll find a marina packed with pretty fishing boats and a small quaint fish market, selling the daily catch, overlooking a La Grava beach. For early risers, a favourite sight of ours (and one famous amongst locals) is the flock of seabirds that swarm the fishing boats returning to port, at approximately 8am each morning, in the hope of a feed. La Grava, meaning Gravel, which may not sound too inviting, comprises of smooth white pebbles and calm, clear turquoise shores, guaranteed to take your breath away... Blue Flag quality approved, this is a great place to swim or snorkel. Stroll the stunning promenade sprinkled with palm trees and artisan market stalls and enjoy both sunrise and sunset views in any of its charming bakeries, bars and restaurants dotted along the stunning seaside walkway. The charm of the neighbourhood doesn’t stop there. Amid the low-rise apartments and shops is the exuberantly modernist fisherman's church, the Church of Our Lady of Loreto. Inaugurated in 1967, it is a spectacular piece of modern architecture dedicated to the fishermen of the town. Possessing a red pine roof in the form of a ship’s keel; railings with 'fishes' and a landscaping of palm trees (with the 'town' streets) makes walking around the church an experience not to be missed.
Walk south a couple of kilometres along the beach promenade and you come to the third part of Javea, the Arenal: The main tourist hotspot and the busiest of Jávea’s beaches. The lone sandy beach in the centre of the town, it’s full of colour and life. Perfect for lounging around and feeling the sand between your toes amongst the buzz of the nearby restaurants and cocktail bars which are open from sunrise until well into the early hours of the morning in Summer. A relaxed bohemian vibe infuses many of the eateries on the promenade and tiny-yet-bustling market stalls poke out between these cafes, restaurants and ice cream parlours. If you’re after entertainment then there’s plenty. For the more intrepid, there’s every water sport imaginable; live music to be found most evenings and traditional Flamenco dancing accompanies most evening meals. Beside the beach lies one of the oldest hotels in Javea: The Parador de Jávea. Franco is an infamous name and for good reason around these parts. During his controversial regime, the minister of tourism gave his authority to build the ‘Parador’ in Javea (a Parador is a state owned luxury hotel). The Town Council gifted Franco a beautiful house right next to the site of the Parador. If you explore, you can still see it there to this day. And if you fancy venturing further afield, sitting proudly between Alicante and Valencia airports means travel from Javea for weekend breaks to Seville, Budapest and Paris are are just over an hour away.
Whether it’s a dip in the pool after work or an early morning while before you start, with it’s beautiful coast, crystal clear azure blue water and surrounding mountains, Javea is definitely for those outdoor types and boasts some of the cleanest air in Spain. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, it has one of the healthiest year round climates in the world. The villas, apartments and property in the area benefit from this unique climate and laid back atmosphere. The spectacular landscape is calm, elegant and provides an incredibly relaxing atmosphere. With daily yoga classes and meditation sessions on the beach, it really is a spiritual place that lends itself to those in search of calm and tranquillity. Javea also enjoys more hours of sun than any other place in Spain. Less relaxing but equally exhilarating is ‘The Fiesta.’ An essential element of Spanish culture, the Spanish people simply wouldn’t be who they are without it. Jávea is no exception when it comes to Fiesta fun and display an irrepressible enthusiasm to party with some incredible celebrations throughout the year. Don’t be surprised if you wake to unexpected fireworks, bangers or parades in the morning through the narrow streets of the historic centre to mark the beginning of one of Javea’s many celebrations. The bigger celebrations, however, are even more difficult to ignore. The spectacle that is the arrival of the Three Kings bearing gifts in January; the religious observance of the treasured image of Jesús Nazareno in May; through to the midsummer madness of jumping the fires of San Juan in June and the mind blowing effort that goes into the preparation and costume for the Moors and Christians celebration in July. The Summer ending is then marked in the Port with the most incredible display of fireworks to honour the revered Virgin of Loreto .
One of the things that contribute to the unspoilt splendour of Javea is it’s high-rise building ban. In the 1960s, when Franco officials and rich tourists from Madrid and Valencia began Summering in Javea, the city imposed building restrictions: Nothing taller than a palm tree goes the local story.
In the town plan, words such as "sustainability" and "environment" figure prominently. The landmark of the old town is undoubtedly the 14th to 16th century Church of St. Barthomolew (Iglesia de San Bartolomé), which is a fine example of Isabelline Gothic architecture. However, there are a number of other interesting buildings to be seen. The area is painted with spas, hiking, biking trails and a vast natural park of more than 2,100 hectares on the famous Montgo mountain, an emblematic elephant-shaped mountain standing 753 metres tall. Around its slopes are prehistoric cave paintings and burial chambers to explore. Javea’s horseshoe-shaped bay is also packed with coves, sea caves, cliffs and both pebbled and sandy beaches. There are hundreds of routes to explore on foot, by bike or by sea. Then there’s the miradors of Javea. A network of 15 designated viewpoints located along the wonderful coastline: Each providing its own unforgettable view of the this stunning town.
There is an enormous sense of pride amongst the people that both live and visit Javea. With many showing disdain for those that share articles and videos on social media as they want to keep this hidden gem a secret amongst those who already know about it but equally gushing with excitement to visitors and guests as they share the postcard-worthy pictures of their lives here whilst boasting to anyone who will listen of it’s beauty and the enjoyment living in Javea brings. The population of Javea, which has more than doubled since the 1970s, and has grown out rather than up. About half the permanent population is foreign, mostly from Britain, but also from across northern Europe too. Even the Spanish who have moved here are affectionately classed as outsiders! There is an enormous sense of community on display in Javea through church events, fiestas, schools and sports teams, in addition to the dozens of small bars and cafés and echoed by the numerous charities helping local causes and concerns.
Javea boasts an incredible amount of a variety of food and great restaurants, all fresh and lots of fish! You really are spoilt for choice. From Michelin star restaurants to street food fiestas. The diversity of culture found in Javea is mirrored in the cuisine on offer. Veggie, vegan and Asian, Nepalese, Thai, Indian, and Chinese to more traditional tapas and European dishes.
Spanish impressionist painter Joaquin Sorolla wrote to his wife when he visited Javea:
"I fall silent from the emotion that still grips me …" he wrote. And: "This is the place I've always dreamt about, Sea and Mountains, but what a sea!" Sorolla returned to Javea three more times, painting more than a dozen major works here. So, what will you love about Javea? The incredible sunrises? The friendly local people? The crystal clear waters, fantastic food, romantic coves, beautiful beaches and wonderful scenery? There’s no one thing you can pick from such a vast list and, as we remind you, legend has it that once you’ve been within the eye of it’s famous Montgo...you’ll always return.
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