Javea Tours & Day Trips Spain - things to do - In and Around Spanish Resorts
Introduction - Beaches - Accommodation - Car Hire - Nightlife
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There's plenty to see and do in Javea if you can tear yourself away from the attractions of the main Arenal beach. You'll really need a car to go exploring because, unlike a resort such as Benidorm, Javea is spread out over a large area. There are small beaches in delightful coves to discover, cultural and historical sites and monuments, wonderful walks and two headland lighthouses with breath taking views.
That's all in Javea - venture a little further afield and the many attractions of the Costa Blanca are within easy reach.Even if you're staying near the main Arenal beachfront, try to find time to visit the two other areas of Javea - the old town and the port. Each area is completely differently and you can't really claim to know Javea until you've visited all three distinct parts of it.
In the old town you'll feel as if you're in a completely different world from the tourist areas. It's very Spanish and has remained largely unchanged by the tourist invasion of the last 30 years.
Explore the narrow streets, especially the Calle Mayor (High Street) which hardly has enough room for two mules to pass let alone a single car!You'll find some delicious local "tapas" in the bars here - just look out for the places where all the Spanish go for their mid-morning snack or lunch and follow them. You'll get traditional food at unbelievable prices.
Visit the weekly market on Thursday morning when you can buy everything from cheap leather jackets (of good quality) to cheap audio tapes (of decidedly dubious quality).
A peek inside the Church of Sant Bertomeu is a must because it's here that you'll find the historical heart of Javea. One of its inner walls dates back to 1244 when King Jaime the Conqueror defeated the Moors here. And the outside wall is still peppered with the scars of the Spanish civil war which took place seven centuries later.
Go to Javea's port and you'll find another world - it's newer and more geared to tourists than the old town but it still retains a lot of that Spanish charm which is missing in so many of the most popular coastal resorts. The unusual ship-shaped church of Nuestra Señora de Loreto is well worth a visit - it's completely different than the old town church with its highly ornate interior. The beauty of the port church lies in its simplicity which is rare in a Spanish church. It was built as a thank you after local fishermen survived a terrible storm during which their loved ones prayed for their safe return - look at the ceiling from the inside and you'll see it resembles the hull of a ship.
You'll find beautiful walks and unexpected bays at Portitxol and Granadella - just follow the coastal road south from the Arenal for a few kilometres. Visit the headland light houses at Cabo San Antonio and Cabo La Nao - but not if you suffer from vertigo.
For day excursions visit the Moorish fortress of Guadalest, the local town of Gata (renowned for the excellence of its local craftmanship) or the beautiful city of Valencia with its wonderful variety of museums, shops, futuristic science centre and many places of architectural interest.
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