The city of Javea lies about 80 km north east of Alicante,in between Denia and Altea. You can reach Javea via the road N332, a wonderfulroad along the coastline of the Costa Blanca or via the quick and easy AP7motorway. Javea is the jewel on the northern Costa Blanca, it still functionsas a fishing port with the boats leaving every day and returning with theircatch. Alongside the rag tag fleet of fishing vessels can be found the multimillion euro yachts and family pleasure cruisers all moored in the famous portarea below Puchol’s grand villas. Javea has 3 separate distinct stretches ofcoastline and is very much a lived in area which is popular with visitors andholiday villa seekers. Views across the bay are spectacular. Javea can bedivided roughly into three distinct areas, each with its own individual charmand atmosphere. Javea Pueblo (the old town); Javea Puerto (the bustling portarea); and Playa de Arenal (the main beach area).

Javea Old Town - The pleasant old centre of Javea is worth passing a few hours at one morning. Just wander around admiring the whitewashed buildings with Gothic features. Take a look in the Gothic Church of San Bartolome and visit the busy food market with its stalls full of fresh fish and fruits and vegetables from the region. Take a coffee break at Temptations below the Church steps or stop at the cafe on C/Major below the steps which lead up to the very helpful tourist information in the Plaza de la Iglesia (Church Square). They'll provide you with a pamphlet which gives you a suggested walking tour of the old centre.

Javea Port - Nowadays most ports in tourist destinations have become trendy marinas with designer shopping outlets but not Javea. It still functions as a fishing port with yachts moored in the same vicinity. It is very much a lived in area which is popular with visitors attracted by its lovely promenade with open air terrace restaurants and pleasant local bars. Views across the bay are spectacular. During the first week of September it is home to one of Spain's more unusual fiestas when bulls are released into a paddock area where they are taunted by local youths who jump into the sea when the bull charges them. The aim is to get the bull to fall into the water.

Playa de Arenal - Javea’s most famous (but not only) tourist beach area. It is a dreamy setting stretching no more than 300m from the well located Parador hotel in the north as far as the bargain food restaurant of Scallops in the south. The Arenal is home to every type of café bar and restaurant which are set back from the wide promenade and beach, but not home to any of the hi rise blocks associated with Benidorm or Calpe. With views across the bay and a family chilled out atmosphere this is the perfect beach holiday get away. With fine, golden sand and amenities such as volleyball nets along the back of the beach which are popular later in the day and plenty play areas for the kids; this is safe and exciting for all the family.

Alongside of Javea you will also find the cabo de Nao - a small hill - with a lighthouse on top.The cabo can be reached by car - on a road surrounded by Javea real estate agencies and residential areas. The top of the cabo de Nao gave me the impression as the last piece of hill of Javea which has not been built on. As well as the cabo de San Martin a must for every Javea tourist, because of the wonderful view. Things to Do in Javea - Scuba diving in Javea is highly recommended and there’s no end of dive shops offering introductory dives and PADI courses, the bay in and around Portixol is a favourite amongst divers in the area. The Costa Blanca has more than 13 golf courses including the championship La Sella course, on C/ Jesus Pobre. There are sailing opportunities available from the Javea port. There are a number of horse riding schools in and around Javea and excellent bike rides.

There are also some great walking routes around Javea and if you are interested in doing some walking you should ask in the Tourist Information office for the booklet “Nature Parks and Trekking Routes”. A must do

Activities

As well as whiling away your days on the beach at Playa del Arenal and dining in some fine local eateries there's plenty to do to amuse the whole family. There are a host of outdoor activities, including: Jet Ski and speed boat hire - www.aquasportsjavea.com, helicopter tours, go-karting, crazy golf and fishing. Scuba diving in Javea is highly recommended and there's no end of dive shops offering introductory dives and PADI courses. The Costa Blanca has more than 13 golf courses and sailing opportunities are available from local ports. In case you are looking for a golf course around Javea or any clubs you could join, please have a look at our Costa Blanca golf resorts here. There are a variety of go-karting specialists including locally, Karting Laguna, which is located behind the tennis courts on Javea’s Cabo la Nao road. Further afield there are: One of Spain’s best known go-karting tracks is Karting Finestrat near Benidorm; Mitikarts (part of the Terra Mitica theme park, Costa Blanca) offers a range of karts including 2-seater go-karts for parents with children; an international track suitable for all levels just outside of Moraira.

For Kids

For kids, the Arenal beach itself is fabulous with superb fine, golden sand. There are volleyball nets along the back of the beach which are popular later in the day and there are plenty play areas for the kids. If you're looking for something extra for the kids head a little south to Benidorm and take them to one of the Benidorm theme parks.

Trekking and touring

There are some good trekking routes around Javea and if you are interested in doing some trekking you should ask in the Tourist Information office for the booklet "Nature Parks and Trekking Routes". There are plenty day excursions available to other interesting resorts such as Denia and Gandia and the drive along the coast take you adjacent to many superb beaches. Some of the best are just beyond Denia from Javea as far as Oliva.

Eating Out

There are numerous café bars and restaurants set back from the wide promenade in Arenal. You will be spoilt by the choice of bars and restaurants, Lungi Mar, pasta and pizzas. Some examples include: Pepa Pizzeria which offer not just pizzas but great steaks too; Jalousie is very good with all day English breakfast and a good selection of salads, meats and fish dishes; if you don't fancy paying over 20 Euros for a fish main course just head for Scallops of Javea where you can get a 3 course meal with wine for 7.95 Euros! Beers are around 3 Euros a pint and cocktails around 8 Euros; Casa de la Pasta - A family run Italian pasta house with a lovely atmosphere and indoor and outdoor seating, it also has a large children’s play area and they hold cooking sessions for children. There are also a host of restaurants in the beachfront at the Javea Port and old town areas too. For more traditional Spanish cuisine visit the Old Town and the Port with numerous quality restaurants including the amazing Rebotica, Calima and a little bit further afield in Ondara Casa Pepa for a fine dining treat.

Bars & Nightlife

Most of the bars around the Arenal, the port and the old town of Javea will stay open until the early hours. The Achill bar and dance floor is open until breakfast time, when most of the youngsters have danced the night away.During summer (May – September ) the beautiful Chiringitos on the beach between Javea’s Arenal and Port spring up providing the most beautiful sunset views with an Ibiza atmosphere. Live music, cocktails and good food are the order of the day with happy hours most weekday evenings from 6pm. Get a Mojito!!

To get to Javea, we advise you to hire a car from the two nearest airports, Alicante and Valencia. This can be booked on the Internet at the time you book your flights. We also offer a pick and drop service if required.

Directions from Alicante Airport to Javea Arenal Area

On leaving Alicante airport follow the blue signs to the Motorway and head north to Valencia (not Alicante as this takes you through the city, and not Murcia as this heads to the South). Initially there is a good stretch of Motorway which is free, but you will then reach the toll booths, after going through a tunnel. Take a ticket and keep on the motorway, travelling at 100 kph, this will take around 50 minutes, exit at Junction No. 63, which is signposted Benissa and Teulada. Pay at the booth (approx 8 euros). After passing through the toll booth do not take the road which branches to the right but continue straight on towards Javea (Xabia). This slip-road bends very sharply to the right and brings you on to the correct carriageway for Teulada and Moraira (this is the main national road, the N332).

Follow the road down the hill and around several bends. Towards the bottom of the hill you will see a Garden Centre on both the left and right-hand side and the Red Cross Ambulance Centre on the left. Soon after there is a roundabout – turn right here following signs for Teulada (the CV740). At the second roundabout go straight on, then you will pass under a bridge. Then at the third roundabout take the third exit following signs for Xabia / CV740. Then at the next (the fourth) roundabout take the first exit following signs for Xabia / CV740 and carry on driving up the dual-carriageway. Keep in the left hand lane as you approach the top of the hill.

At the top of the hill there is a junction with a kind of small roundabout. Keep in the left-hand lane which bears slightly to the left when you approach the junction / roundabout (do not bear right as this would take you to Moraira). Give way at the junction and go straight on heading for Xabia / CV740 - not sharp left, as this takes you into the town centre of Teulada. Follow this winding road for a couple of miles. When you reach the village of Benitachell (Benitatxell), just after the first set of traffic lights, bear to the right, following the signs for Xabia, then down the road, through another set of traffic lights, then straight on at the next crossroads/traffic lights, heading for Javea /Xabia. You will go through two more sets of traffic lights, heading out of the Benitachell /Benitatxell village. After the last traffic lights you need to carry straight on and you will soon pass a supermarket on the right called “Mas y Mas” and then “Mobles Devygar” (furniture shop) on your right, then two service stations on your left. The road then bears to the right. Just after the next bend you will pass the entrance to the Javea Golf Club on the right-hand side.

Follow this road, passing a number of restaurants. Just after Restaurant Masena on the right-hand side, there is a roundabout. Take the first exit, turning right. Follow the road passing a few garden centres, until you arrive at a roundabout. Turn left at the roundabout, taking the second exit (ignoring the no entry entrance on to the roundabout). Turn left then on the next roundabout take the 2nd right and follow the road to the Arenal

Directions from Valencia airport to Javea Arenal Area

Join the AP7 motorway (autopista peaje – the blue signs) and travel south following signs for Alicante. Make sure you don´t join the A7, indicated “Alicante (interior)”, which would take you miles inland and hours out of your way! This is a toll road, so you will have to take a ticket from the machine as you join the motorway. After driving for approximately 45 minutes, leave the motorway at exit number 62. You will have to show your ticket and pay approx. 6 euros at the toll booth. Then follow the signs to join the N332 (the national road), for Javea / Xabia, (also heading south to Gata, Teulada and Benissa and Alicante on the N332). Just before reaching the town of Gata, you will see a large supermarket on the left called Mas y Mas and Bricoman DIY on the right. Take the next slip road to the right marked Jávea / Xabia. This joins the road called “Carretera de Gata” which takes you into Javea. There are two or three roundabouts as you approach Javea, go straight on, following the signs. Just before the “old town” of Javea there is a large roundabout with a rusty coloured ironwork sculpture resembling a boat and seagulls, continue straight on.

At the next small roundabout, continue straight on, taking the first exit. You will go through a set of traffic lights, then straight on at the small roundabout, then through another set of traffic lights, continue going slightly downhill. At the bottom of the hill there is another roundabout (with LIDL´S Supermarket on your right). Take the first exit, going straight on. Then go straight on at the next two roundabouts. When you come to a new roundabout (with the CAM Bank on your right and the Solbank on your left), turn left and follow the road to the Arenal area.

Remember these directions are from the airports to the Arenal area of Javea, you should already have directions to your rental property and the keys.

Once your holiday is booked and confirmed please read the following information carefully. Each property has its own unique arrival instructions at the bottom of the details page under "Booking Instructions". It is our job to make sure your arrival is as relaxing and hassle free as possible. A member of Louise's team will make contact with all clients approximately 14 days prior to arrival by email; the email will supply you with directions, meeting points, key hand over instructions, breakages deposit instructions and everything you need to arrive at your villa ready to enjoy your holiday from start to finish. Should you need anything at any point prior to your arrival you can always contact the team on javea@managedlets.com.

We request that you leave the property promptly at the checkout specified for the property (usually 10am) and leave the property clean and tidy. Please ensure that you remove all rubbish and recycling into the local refuse bins. We will meet you to collect keys from you in person, unless other arrangements have been made prior to your departure. Any deposits will be returned by bank transfer once the property has been checked for breakages.