Costa Blanca Magazin

Jávea - family beaches, Cape Montgó & water adventure

Coastal town with three faces and a high standard of living

Jávea, or Xàbia in Valencian, is one of the most diverse places on the Costa Blanca. The town combines three clearly distinguishable zones: the historic town centre inland, the marina with its old town flair by the sea and the modern Arenal beach district with its promenade and tourist infrastructure. This structure makes Jávea particularly viable for residents, as it offers both authentic community life and modern facilities and plenty of space for retreat.

The town is sheltered between the Cap de Sant Antoni and Cap de la Nau capes, which gives it a particularly mild microclimate - one of the best in Europe, according to the WHO.

Urban development & history

The city has Iberian and Roman roots and was long a fortified trading and fishing centre. The current structure with three districts - the old town, harbour and Arenal - was created in the 20th century. In the 1970s, Jávea grew due to foreign residents, but was largely spared from chaotic development. The limitation of the building volume and the protection of the Montgó massif show Jávea's aspiration to position itself as a structured, nature-loving coastal town with a high quality of life.

Three neighbourhoods - one functioning organism

  1. Old Town (Centro Histórico)Located inland, with Gothic buildings, narrow streets, small squares and local markets. The traditional heart of Xàbia beats here - with municipal administration, doctors, banks, schools and shopping facilities.
  2. Harbour district (Duanes de la Mar)Mediterranean everyday life with promenade, cafés, fishing, church and market. Popular with locals and residents who want to live within walking distance.
  3. Playa del ArenalModern beach promenade with restaurants, leisure facilities and flats - particularly popular with families and seasonal residents.

All three areas are connected by a functioning transport network and Lively all year round - no „hibernation“ as in some coastal resorts.

Weekly markets in Jávea

Jávea offers two Weekly markets:

Thursday morning: weekly market in the centre (Plaza de la Constitución) - with food, clothing, plants
Daily: Fish and fresh produce market in the Mercat Municipal de Xàbia, right next to the church

Beaches in Jávea - variety along the coast

Jávea offers different beaches for different needs:

  • Playa del Arenal - Fine sand, family-friendly, with promenade, restaurants and leisure facilities
  • La Grava (harbour beach) - Pebble, clear, quiet, with direct access to harbour life
  • Cala Blanca & Cala Barraca - Small bays with rocky landscapes, perfect for snorkelling and relaxing
  • Cala Granadella - Picturesque bay, repeatedly honoured as the most beautiful beach in Spain
  • Cala Ambolo - Natural nudist beach (officially closed at present, access not recommended)

The beaches are well maintained, often awarded the Blue Flag, and offer access for all ages.

Landscape & nature - between the sea, Montgó and the cape

The location between the imposing Montgó massif to the west and the cliffs to the east makes Jávea particularly scenic. Hikers, cyclists, divers and nature watchers will find numerous paths, protected areas and viewpoints in the surrounding area - for example at Cap de Sant Antoni, where there is also a lighthouse.

Festivals & events - deeply rooted and actively organised

Jávea has a very active community life that also includes international residents. The most important festivals include:

  • 🎇 Fogueres de Sant Joan (June): City-wide festival with parades, bonfires, music and fireworks
  • 🤺 Moros y Cristianos (July, in the harbour district): Large parades and festivities with a traditional programme
  • 🎶 Xàbia Jazz Festival (August): High-calibre jazz series on the old town square
  • 🎭 Numerous cultural events in the auditorium and in public places
Living in Jávea - international, solid, high quality

Many German-speaking, British and Belgian residents live in Jávea - not just temporarily, but permanently. The city offers:

Good medical care (public and private clinics)
Multilingual services
International schools (including Xàbia International College)
Numerous leisure clubs, cultural initiatives and sports clubs

The property market is diverse and of high quality - from flats to villas with sea views. The price structure is above the average for the region, but reflects the location, climate and standard of living.

📌 Contact & information

Xàbia / Jávea Tourist Office
📍 Plaza de la Iglesia, 4 - 03730 Xàbia (Alicante)
📞 +34 965 794 356
✉️ xabia@touristinfo.net
🌐 www.xabia.org