Javea, Costa Blanca, Spain
Javea Town & Javea Municipal District Introduction
Javea is known as Xàbia by the Spanish
JaveaTown
JaveaTown is split into 3 areas
- The Old town, Javea Puerblo, located a couple of kilometres inland.
- The harbour, Javea Puerto,
- Playa de Arenal approximatly 3 kilometres south of the harbour
Javea Municipal District
- The Xàbia district is located in the in the North East section of the Marina Alta area of Spain. It is in the Valley of the river Gorgos starting just east of the town, Gata de Gorgos
- The valley is extemly fertile and many agricultural skills were introduced by the Moors.
- The district includes the hilltops that range north & south of the valley that lead to the rocky headlands (capes) of Cap de Antonio in the north & Cap Prim, Cap Negre & Cap de la Nau.
- All theses Capes produce dramatic rocky scenrery & magnificent views to such a degree the the concil has provided 15 viewpoints (Mirados), most of which are set up along the beautiful coastline
Great Things to do in Javea
Attractions in Javea
Many of the attractions are located in or near to the Historic Old Town or Port Area.
Javea Historic Old Town
Historic Old Town Description
Town walls were built after Xàbia [Javea] was reconcered from the Moors by the Christians. But due to the expansion of the town in1873 almost all trace of the walls have disapeared
The Javea Historic Old Town is defined by thr 'Ronda' roads, Ronda Nord, Ronda del Sur & Ronda Colon. These roads were the rough locations of the Old Town walls of Javea
The Town wall gates were:
- Portal de la Ferreria or St.Vincent's Gate
- Portal del Clotor St.James's Gate
- Portal de la Mar or Sea Gate
- Much later in the 19th century the Portal Nou or New Gate
Two crosses mark the location of 2 of the 4 town Wall Gates. The photograph above shows the cross on the south east corner on Ronda Sur
One should note the following when walking through the fasinating Old town:
- The handy Historic Javia Maps located in theOld Town. See photograph on the right
- The narrow streets
- Whitwashed houses
- Rough cut Gothic archways.
- The rough hewn stonework
Historic Old Town of Javea Location
The old town is located:
- 2 kilometres & slightly south of Javeas Port
- 1.5 kilometres north of the River Gorges
See Location of Agustinas Convent on our Javea Map
Agustinas Convent
Agustinas Convent Description
- The community of Discalced Agustinians was formed in Xabia by sister Ana Maria Gallart in 1663.
- Discalced meens that they went barefooted or wore sandles
Agustinas Convent Location
- The Convent is located on the western edge of the Old Town of Javea
See Location of Agustinas Convent on our Javea Map
Ermita Sant Joan
See Location of Ermita Sant Joan on our Javea Map
Fish Market
See Location of Fish Market on our Javea Map
Mare de Deu de Loreto Church - Ulra Modern
Mar de Deu de Church Buttresses
Description of Mare de Deu de Loreto Church
- Although the Mare de Deu de Loreto Church is constructed in concrete, it's ulra modern design make it look elegent.
- It's buttresses have a similar look to those on the Passion Facade of the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona by Antoni Gaudi E, facarde of the
See Location of Mare de Deu de Loreto Church - Ulra Modern on our Javea Map
San Bartolome Church
San Bartolome Church Description
When you look at San Bartolome Church you can easily see why it is called a fortress chuch:
- from it's extremly sturdy build
- The almost keep like tower which was Javeas watchtower
- The high location of windows
- Defensive machicolatons above the main door
- Loopholes in the walls
- The church is one of the best examples of Late Valencian Gothic architecture.
- The primitive style of the first church was started in the 14th century, with furth constuctionof the large nave with it's internal buttresses.
- The 2 main entrances have pointedarches and fabulous reliet work, sculptured onto the rough hewn stone.
- The church suffered extensive damage during the Spanish Civil War and its southern and western walls remain pockmarked with bullet and shell holes.
- San Bartolome Church was listed as a National Historic and Artistic Monument in 1931 and is an embolich centrepiece ofJavea's historic quarter.
San Bartolome Church Location
The church is located:
- Slightly east of the old historic towns centre
- Opposite the Town Hall & Tourist Information Centre on it's souther side
- Opposite the Indoor Market on the northern side
- There are cafes with tables & seats in the squares& streets around the church
See Location of San Bartolome Church on our Javea Map
Javea Soler Blasco Museum
See Location of Soler Blasco Museum on our Javea Map
Javea Town Hall
Town Hall Description
- The Town Hall building dates from the 14th century when it was 2 stories high. It was restored in the 18th century and an additional floor was added in the 20th century.
- The alterations maintained some of characteur of the original building and adding a neo classical look
Town Hall Location
- Located opposite San Bartolome Church and next door to the Javea Tourist information Office.
See Location of JaveaTown Hall on our Javea Map
Javea Windmills - Els Molins
Windmills Description
- Javea has 12 windmills, 11 of them running in a line west to east on the hill top, La Plana, at a height of 190 metres above sea level.
- The other one the Moli de Safranera is at a lower level only 60 feet above sea level. All were built between the 14th & 18th century for grinding grain.
- These windmill were so important yhat Javea was known as 'The Granary of Alicante' in the 17th century.
- The mills have deteriated to the degree where they look like round watchtowers rather than windmills.
- There are plans for the council to restore 2 of the mills, replacing the machinery and adding sails.
- Spectacular views can be seen from the windmills and the eastern end of the row (seaward end) is marked as a viewpoint (Mirador) on the local tourist maps obtainable at the Tourist Offices
Windmills Location
- The windmills are located on top of the La Plana hill northeast of the Javea Old Town & northwest of Javea Port. They dominate the skyline and easy to sea from all areas of Javea.
See Location of Windmills on our Javea Map
Montgo National Park & Montgo Mountain
Montgo National Park & Montgo Mountainl
See Location of Montgo National Park & Montgo Mountainl on our Javea Map
Javea Beaches
Plaja de l' Arenal beach, Javea
Plaja de l' Arenal beach Description
- The beach of El Arenal is the most populat and has full facilities such as toilets, showers, disable access, water sports, parking & lifeguards
- The beach is ideal for families and has fine golden sand..
See Location of Plaja de l' Arenal beach on our Javear Map
Plaja de Benissero beach, Javea
beach Description
- Plaja de Benissero is the longest of Javea Beaches and like Plaja de Grava is made of pebbles some of which are very large.
- The beach has facilities.
Plaja de Benissero beach Location
- Located between Plaja de Grava beach & Plaja de Grava Beach starting on the southern side of the river, Riu Gorgos
See Location of Plaja de Benissero beach on our Javear Map
Plaja de Grava beach, Javea
Plaja de Grava beach Description
- Pebbles Beach that is backed by a promenade & some restaurants & bars with beautiful clear sea & has been awarded a blue flag
Plaja de Grava beach Location
Located just south of Javea harbour & marina
See Location of Plaja de Grava beach on our Javear Map
Cala d' Ambolo cove - Naturist Beach
Cala d' Ambolo Naturist Beach Description
- Cala d' Ambolo cove & beach is a naturist beach which is made up of pebbles, rocks & boulders.
- There are no facilities at the beach
- The sea becomes deep quickly and large waves may be present.
- The areas rocky nature results in clear water and is popular with snorkelers.
Cala d' Ambolo Naturist Beach Description Location
- Located on the southern side of Cap de la Nau
- See Location of Cala d' Ambolo Naturist Beach on our Javear Map
Shopping in Javea
Javea Indoor Market
Javea Indoor Market Description
- The Javea Indoor Market is also known as the 'food market' and the ideal venue to purchase your food if on a self catering holiday, or to purchase snacks for a days out outing.
Javea Indoor Market Location
- Javea Indoor Market is located at Celestino Pons in the centre of the Old Town opposite the northern side of San Bartolome Church.
See Location of Javea Indoor Market on our Javea Map
Javea Street Markets
Javea Street Markets Description
- Every Thursday and at some public holiday periods.
Javea Street Markets Location
- The main street market is located at Plaza. de la Constiution a few hundred metres to the north west of Javea Old Town
- Located outside Javea Indoor Market
- Street traders set up stalls behind L' arenal beach every evening
See Location of Javea Street Markets on our Javear Map
Javea Chemists - Phamacy
Javea Chemists Locations
- We have shown a chemists shop in each of the 3 areas of Javea but there are several more as below:
Javea - Old Town
- There are 5 chemists in The Old Town & immediate area.
Javea - Port
- 2 chemists in the Port area
Javea
- 3 chemists in the main beach area of -L'Arenal
See Location of Javea Chemists on our Javear Map
Javea Transport
Javea Tram (railway) station
- Javea does not have a Tram station. The nearest one is at Gata de Gorges, from where you can catch a bus to
- Perhaps more convenient is the Tram Station at Denia with a Bus to Javea from Denia bus station.
- This may seam a strange statement because the tram stops at Gata de Gorges on its way to Denia, and the bus from Denia bus station also passes through on it's way to Javea.
- The reason is that there is more to do in Denia while waiting for the next bus or tram The location of The bus station is easier to find in Denia than the bus stop in Gata de Gorges.
Javea Local Buses
Javea Bus
- There is a bus every 30 minutes connecting the 3 seperate areas of Javea - The Old town - The harbour - Playa de Arenal
- Javea - Denia Bus
- See comment made about the bus above
- The Bus stop in on the inland side of Javea
Javea Long Distance Buses
- Alsa run buses to Valencia, Benidorm & Alicante
Javea Official Tourist Information Offices
Javea Tourist Information Puerto
Tourist Information Office Javea Port
- Address: Pl. Almirante Bastarreche, 11 Aduanas del Mar, Puerto de Jávea 03730 Jávea Tel: 96 579 07 36
Javea Tourist Information Old Town
Javea Old Town Tourist Information Office
- Located opposite San Bartolome Church and next door to the Town Hall
- Address: Plaza de la Iglesia, 4 03730 Jávea Tel: 96 579 43 56
Javea Tourist Information Playa Arenal
- Address: Carretera Cabo de la Nao Urbanización La Plaza, Playa del Arenal 03730 Jávea Tel: 96 646 06 05