In the Old Town of Javea you can wander through ancient narrow streets and visit the local market on Thursday. Buildings with original Tosca sandstone and a rich medieval history. The Gothic fortified church of San Bartolome dominates the centre of Javea’s town. This building dates back to the 15th century. At the side of the church is a beautiful building which houses the indoor market where you can buy local fresh produce daily.
This favourite area of Javea has a fascinating charm that is hard to define. Whitewashed houses surround the bay. Watch the fishermen bring in their fresh catches and the sailing boats set off from the marina. Eat at the fantastic seafood restaurants.
There are so many good shops, bars and cafes; the place is bustling with activity. The Port area of Javea has a real Spanish feel, this is an area where locals live and work in harmony with the tourist elements. It is a lively, bustling area with many shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.
The landmark of the Port area is the church of Our Lady of Loreto with a roof which imitates the hull of a ship.
The bustling Arenal area is a sandy blue flag beach, surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants such as Los Remos or La Boheme. It’s a great place to walk along the promenade in the evening. It’s very touristy obviously and is the least Spanish part of Javea, but nevertheless it is a crucial part. During the evening in the summer there are various stalls here selling a variety of handmade crafts. Many of the bars have live music and there are several discotheques. Try the Platino bar for entertainment such as Adam King singing live on most Saturdays. The most popular bar is known as Champagne which has been renamed Jalousie. Set off the beach is the popular Irish Bar An Shebeen. The Arenal beach area is the place to enjoy the nightlife which although relatively quiet and limited does have it’s lively spots such as the nightclub Achill.
The Arenal is very good for families. The beach is large and very wide. The water is very shallow and calm as it is in a sheltered bay. You can easily sit in a cafe or bar and be able to see your children. Generally Spain is very family-orientated and you can feel much more relaxed about your kids safety than you would anywhere else.
Javea has a lot of beautiful beaches. From north to south you can visit a total of 9 beaches.
- Playa El Pope de Javea (Playa del Tango)A small sand/pebble beach near Cabo San Antonio. Good for diving!
- Playa La Grava de JaveaPebble beach near the harbor of Javea.
- Playa El Muntanyar de Javea.At this pebble beach you can find several restaurants and terraces.
- Playa El Arenal de Javea.Most touristic beach of Javea. All sand and situated at the boulevard with plenty of restaurants and terraces.
- Cala Blanca.Pebble beach in a beautiful bay that can only be reached on foot. Good for fishing as well!
- Cala Sardinera de Javea.A small bay near Cabo Blanco and San Martin. You can reach the bay through a pine forest path. The entry is at Mirador Portichol, on the way to Cabo la Nao.
- La Playa del Portichol (La Barraca).Small pebble beach with crystal clear water, a really nice place.
- Playa Ambolo de Javea.A natural bay with clear water, just south of Cabo la Nao. Good for swimming and snorkeling!
- Playa la Granadella de Javea.Most beautiful bay (if you ask us). A bit hard to reach (long road through pine forest). Can be busy with locals on the weekends.
Altea is without a doubt one of the most charming towns to be found on Spain’s ‘White Coast’, located in the region of Alicante on the Costa Blanca. The town is just 11 kilometres north of Benidorm, yet the two resorts are worlds apart. Altea is similar to other Costa Blanca towns in that it has a new and an old neighbourhood. The old section is perched on top of a hill from where you will find really spectacular views.
Among the many tourist destinations on the Costa Blanca, Denia is one of the most attractive. Not only does the resort offer beautiful beaches that the Costa Blanca is famous for, but also an interesting historical centre, remarkable artistic heritage, an active marina and spectacular natural surroundings.
A visit to Denia Castle
Built on top of a cliff overlooking the coast, inhabited and fortified since Roman times, Denia castle is the symbol of the city. It is an unmissable attraction for those who spend their holidays in the area. The fortress, that has been declared a "Monument of Cultural Interest" by the Spanish Government, was built in the 11th century, during the period of the Arab domination. The original architectural style was Almohad, but over the centuries the complex has undergone numerous changes and reconstructions. Today it is possible to identify elements added during the Renaissance period and the 18th century, as well as the remains of a Roman settlement. The castle is the main tourist attraction of the town and often hosts cultural events and dramatised guided tours. At the top you can enjoy an incredible view of the old town, the coast and the Montgó massif, the most important mountain in the area.
A walk through the historical centre
Denia's historical centre is a fascinating mix of modern architecture and ancient neighborhoods; of elegant buildings and old fishermen's houses; colorful and modern streets and alleys with an ancient flavor. The Casco Antiguo is enclosed by a few streets located at the foot of the Castle, in the area adjacent to the Town Hall and the Iglesia de la Asunción. The layout largely reflects that of the 17th century, and is still possible to identify some buildings dating back to the 18th century, which was the golden age of the raisins trade, that brought a considerable amount of wealth and development to the area. In Calle Cavallers you'll find the Ethnological Museum, that offers an insight into the life of the area during this period (the entrance is free).
Walking towards the sea, you'll come across Calle Marques de Campos, a bustling tree-lined avenue full of shops and bars with terraces. In the parallel street, Calle Calderon, you will find a curious Toy Museum. Once you arrive in the port area, you can visit the barrio Baix la Mar, the old seaside district. Located just below the castle, this neighborhood is shaped by narrow streets and characteristic fisherman houses, with picturesque facades painted in pastel colors. In the area closest to the port there are many bars and restaurants where you can taste some excellent fresh fish.
Enjoy beaches and watersports
For many, the beaches of Denia are the main reason for visiting the resort. The town boasts a coastline of almost 15 km, divided into two different stretches: Las Rotas, characterised by rocky and uncrowded coves, and Las Marinas, with its long and comfortable sandy beaches.Both offer plenty of opportunities to have some fun: you can dive or snorkel to discover the magnificent seafloors of Las Rotas, or practice some water sports in Las Marinas area, such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand up paddling and kayaking.
The town also hosts a very active marina. This is the the right place for those looking for some relaxing activities along the coast: here you can rent a sailing or a motor boat, or embark on a fishing trip. The beach area is also perfect for cycling, running or just walking, thanks to the beautiful promenade that starts in the marina and runs along the Marineta Cassiana and Las Rotas beaches. The paseo continues further south to the Cabo San Antonio Natural Reserve, named after a spectacular cliff that guarantees magnificent views of the coast. It can also be accessed via a nice hiking path.
Shop at local markets
Denia offers many opportunities for shopping lovers. In the area of Calle Marques de Campo and the neighborhood of Baix la Mar you will find many craft shops and small boutiques to search for the perfect item of clothing, accessory or souvenir. If you want to have a taste of the local products, you should visit the Mercado Municipal, held from Monday to Saturday in Calle Magallanes (not far from the Castle). Every Monday and Friday, just outside the Mercado main building, there is an open air market of fresh local products (mainly fruits and vegetables), definitely worth a visit. Here you will have the opportunity to experience some of the colours and flavours of the local gastronomy. On Mondays there is a weekly market selling everything from clothes to food products in the Explanada de Torrecremada, an open air area located just west of the town centre. In the same place, on Fridays, there is a flea market. A place definitely not to be missed is the Lonja de Denia (the fish market). From Monday to Friday, starting around 17:30, you can attend the fish auctions, held just a few minutes after the fishing boats moor in the port. A unique experience and an opportunity to wet your appetite.
Explore the Montgó Natural Reserve
The landscape of Denia is dominated by the imposing figure of the Montgó, a mountain 800 metres high located at a short distance from the coast. With its surroundings it forms a Natural Park, home to 650 different species of flora and a rich fauna (eagles, peregrine falcons, owls, foxes, wild boars, genets). The park offers numerous paths worth exploring by bike or hiking.
Who can say no to a trip to the Balearic Islands? Denia is the closest Spanish town to the archipelago: less than 100 km separate the resort from Ibiza. For many tourists who spend their holidays in one of the many villas in Denia, the idea of a day trip to the incredible beaches of Ibiza, Majorca or Formentera is too tempting to be ignored!
There are up to three trips per day to the Islands during the high season (get all the information on the Balearia Ferries official website) and the crossing to Ibiza takes from 2 to 5 hours (depending on the type of ferry). The cost of a return trip starts at around € 60.