Old Town is one of our favorite places to be in Javea! The beautiful historic centre sits above the popular beaches, and is not to be missed on your visit. During our time on the Costa Blanca, we made so many trips to Javea Old Town for the Thursday market, great local restaurants, and to stroll around the colorful streets. Here’s everything you need to know before you go to Javea Old Town Spain, and tips from our own experience!
Where is Javea Old Town?
The first thing to know about Javea is that it’s quite a large town in Spain! There are three distinct areas to know about before you visit this amazing destination in the province of Alicante.
The most popular part of Javea is Playa del Arenal which is the main sandy beach. Just to the north is the Javea Port and the pebbly La Grava Beach.
Javea Old Town is actually tucked up in the hills behind the port! You’ll be happy to know it’s just a short drive away from the coast and anywhere in Javea. However, we much prefer to walk or take a bicycle to get around.
One of our favorite walking routes is to go from Arenal Beach along the water to the port, and then up into Old Town Javea. From the port, it’s about a 25 minute walk uphill into the historic old town.
A large mountain sits behind Javea Spain Old Town called Montgó Massif, making for the ultimate backdrop. There is public transport with local buses and taxis available throughout Javea. If you’re driving here, just know that there is limited street parking.
The best place to leave your vehicle is in the underground parking garage at Plaza de la Constitución (here’s the location). This is also where the Javea Market takes place every Thursday!
Quick History of Old Town Javea
Like much of northern Costa Blanca, Javea has a rich history that dates back to the Roman era. The historic centre of Javea Old Town came to life in the Medieval times during the 13th century.
It became a safe refuge for the locals who were under threat of constant attacks by pirates that frequented the coast. The population grew from the 15th century on, with large city walls built to protect its residents.
History lovers will want to stop by Iglesia de San Bartolomé which is a historic church first constructed in 1304. Its iconic bell tower juts out into the sky and can be seen from all around Javea.
The sheer number of historic homes around town can be easy to miss if you’re not looking out for them. This includes Casa de Tena which is now an amazing art gallery. The Chapel of Santa Ana is also interesting as it served as a hospital over 500 years ago.
A walk through the narrow streets feels like a trip back in time in comparison with the newer shops and restaurants near the beach. Specifically, outside of the peak summer months, it’s a taste of local life that every traveler will enjoy.
For more history in Javea’s Old Town you can also visit the Archaeological museum (Soler Blasco museum).
Where to Eat in Javea Old Town
Javea Local Market
One of our favorite parts about Old Town Javea is all the incredible food options. Honestly, we go here often just to eat!
It’s the best area to try traditional Spanish food in Javea like paella, puchero soup, bocadillos, and other delicious treats. We especially love going for breakfast to enjoy a cafe con leche, orange juice, and tostada con tomate.
Before we get into all the great Javea Old Town restaurants, you should know about the Jávea Local Market. It’s located just off the main street ,and the perfect place to grab a morning coffee, beer, or glass of wine.
The stalls inside have everything from tapas to sandwiches, and fresh fish dishes. This is a great place to stop into and grab some fish or meat to cook for yourself as well.
While we have tried a few of the different restaurants inside, Bar Mercat is where we keep going back to. They make amazing fresh juices! If you are looking for some tapas we highly recommend the meatballs, snails, and tortilla.
Javea Restaurants & Menu Del Dia
If you’re visiting here on a weekday in the afternoon be on the lookout for the chalkboards out in front of the restaurants. These are what’s known as the menu del dia, which is a 2 to 3 course meal that includes a drink. Some of the most delicious menus of the day will only cost you 12 Euros or less!
There’s also an abundance of local bakeries to enjoy while you’re walking around the historic town centre. We’ve listed a few of our favorite Javea Old Town restaurants below, but don’t limit yourself to just these options.
Be sure to take some time for yourself to explore and find your own gems! If there is a restaurant you absolutely love please let us know in the comments so we can check it out.
Our Favorite Restaurants in Javea Old Town
- Olivo y Laurel Restaurant
- Dulces Tentaciones Lounge Café Bar
- Temblor Bar Tapas Fusión
- Restaurant Cajita Azul
- Bar La Sucreria
Old Town Javea Market
Every Thursday morning from 8am to 2pm the Javea Market takes place in the town center. The main square of Plaza de la Constitucion fills with dozens of different stands.
Here you’ll find all kinds of souvenirs and clothing, all at a low price. However, know that the true star of the Javea market is the local produce!
When we were living in the Arenal area we made a point to come here every week to stock up on local goods. Coming from the United States, the cheap price of fresh fruits and vegetables truly blew our minds!
Some of our favorite items at the local market are oranges, olives, melons, and grapefruit. Also, keep an eye out for the guy selling homemade honey and olive oil.
Where to Stay in Javea Spain
Most travelers heading to Javea will likely want to stay near the gorgeous beaches. With the old town of Javea being so close, it won’t be hard to make a trip here whenever you wish.
Here’s a good mix of hotels to check out for your visit. We’ve included options in Arenal, the port area, and Javea Old Town.
Nomad Hotel – Xábia Port: If we could only pick one place to stay in Javea it would be this hotel. It’s a beautiful family run boutique hotel overlooking the water in Javea Port.
Apartamento con vistas al Mediterraneo: Looking for an apartment instead of a hotel? Then this would be our pick! The location is amazing, and the view overlooks Arenal Beach and Montgo rock.
Hotel Casa Lili: This hotel is tucked back from the water, but is known as one of the best in town. We recommend staying here if you have a car to get around.
Hotel Sol de Jávea: An accommodation with great location between Arenal Beach and the port! The view overlooks the water with a small pool, and many fun beach bars are just a quick walk away.
More Things to Do in Javea
As you can see, Javea Old Town is one of the best places to experience in this part of Spain! After you’ve explored the historic centre, there is a wide range of activities and sights to see.
We spent months living in this area and used it as our home base to explore Europe. Below is a quick list of some of our favorite things to do in Javea.
Our Favorite Activities After Javea Old Town
Javea Beaches: We went over a couple of the beaches in Javea, but there are so many more to discover after Arenal. Be sure to check out Playa de la Granadella, which is just a 10 minute drive from town. Here there is also a fantastic coastal hike that goes above the beach.
Hiking: Speaking of hikes, Javea has many beautiful walks and climbs just outside of town. With great weather year round in this Mediterranean paradise, it’s never a bad time for a hike!
Water Adventures: There are so many ways to get out on the water in Javea! It’s easy to rent a kayak, stand up paddleboard, or take a rental boat out for the day.
There are also some amazing snorkeling trips (like this one) and scuba diving tours (check this out) that leave from Javea’s coastline.
Festivals: Javea plays host to a number of different events throughout the year. The cultural celebrations are great way to embrace the local life and traditions of this region of Spain.
A few of the most popular in Javea Old Town are Jesús Nazareno, Montgorock Xàbia Festival, and Fogueres de Sant Joan.
Take a Day Trip: Javea is a jewel of the Costa Blanca, but there are so many other beach towns and mountain villages to explore! All within an hour drive you’ll find Moraira, Calpe, and Denia to name a few.
It’s also conveniently located in between the big cities of Alicante and Valencia. For this reason, it could be worth getting a rental car on your visit…. Even if it’s just for one day!
Have any questions about this article or want to share your own experience in Javea Old Town? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Spain Travel Planning
Flights: We always find the best flights using Skyscanner. Sometimes it’s even cheaper to fly between cities in Spain then driving or taking the train.
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: We use Discover Cars to get around with a vehicle. Consider renting a car in one city and dropping it off in another for an epic Spain road trip!
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for thousands of activities around Spain. You can book a tour of the Madrid Royal Palace, skip the line entry at Alhambra de Granada, or even jump on a Tenerife Dolphin cruise.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
I’ve always wanted to visit Spain and am adding Javea to the top of my dream trip list! Looks like a gorgeous city and the food looks absolutely amazing!
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It’s one of our favorite places in Spain. Absolutely love Old Town. Hope you make it here someday!