Playa de la Granadella is not just one of the best beaches in Javea, but all of Spain! We recently discovered this beautiful Costa Blanca cove, and have been going back ever since. Here’s exactly how to get to Playa Granadella, what to know about the Javea beach, and our experience on the fun coastal hike.
How to Get to Playa de la Granadella
If you’re visiting Javea, know that there are many beaches closer to the main town. Arenal is the most central, and the area surrounding it is very popular for vacationers. There is also La Grava in Javea port, and many more along the stunning coastline.
While Playa de la Granadella isn’t located right in town, know that it’s just a 15 minute drive away. The road will take you 10km along Carretera del Portixol to the southern point of Javea which borders Benitachell.
We highly recommend picking up a rental car when flying into Alicante Airport (check out our tips) as there is so much to see in this area. Some of our favorite nearby beach towns are Moraira (this is how to spend the perfect day) and Calpe (here’s our favorite things to do), with endless local villages to explore in the mountains.
There is currently no public bus that goes to Playa de la Granadella, and a taxi will be quite expensive. One option would be to take a tour which includes transport and kayaks when you get there!
Siesta Advisor and La Terreta Esport i Aventura are two awesome companies that run this trip! It’s also a fun route for the many cycling enthusiasts who frequent Costa Blanca.
You could also rent a motorbike from town for the day to make the trip. Without a doubt, driving yourself is the easiest way to get Playa Granadella. Yet, as you’ll see next, parking at Granadella Javea can be a different story!
Parking at Playa de la Granadella
We really can’t sugarcoat this part of our guide to Playa la Granadella. Unless you’re visiting in the off-season months, parking can be a mess at this small Javea beach.
There are four main parking locations close to Granadella Javea which you’ll see as you drive in. Two of them are a bit of a walk from the actual beach so just be aware of that.
There is also a long winding road called Carrer del Pic Tort that goes above the beach where people park during the summer. Once these spots and the parking lot fill up, you’ll be out of luck!
On our first visit in January, we had no problem finding a spot close to Granadella Beach. However, once July and August roll around, it’s a completely different ballgame.
Javea puts restrictions during the busy summer months on how many visitors are allowed in. For this reason, you’ll want to arrive as early as possible so you don’t miss out!
More About Granadella Beach
Playa de la Granadella is a Blue Flag beach, and certainly deserving of this recognition. You also may hear it referred to as Cala Granadella as it’s more like a cove than an actual beach.
Yet, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in sheer beauty! The pebbly cove leads out into the crystal clear waters, creating a pure Mediterranean paradise.
The calm waters allow for kayak excursions, stand up paddle boarding, snorkeling, and simply relaxing under the Spanish sun. There are sun beds available for rent in the summer, and two restaurants to enjoy. Rosita Bar Restaurante and Restaurante Sur serve up ice-cold drinks and fresh fish dishes with unbeatable views of the cove.
As we mentioned, your experience can be totally different depending on what month you visit… Or even the time of day at Playa Granadella! Luckily, the microclimate of Costa Blanca brings sunshine year-round, and pleasant temperatures in the swing and off-season.
On both sides of the beach there are staircases that take you around the corners to different lookouts. If you’re not going to do the Granadella hike, we definitely recommend these viewpoints.
The Epic Granadella Hike
One of the reasons we initially visited Playa de la Granadella is to check out the hiking route that goes above the beach. We had read it was a “moderate” hike for all ages, but oh we were in for a surprise!
We have hiked all around the world from New Zealand to Patagonia. The Granadella hike wasn’t the most difficult we’ve ever done by any stretch. Nevertheless, we would definitely not categorize it as moderate or easy!
Bring sturdy hiking shoes and plenty of water. It’s not so much the length of the trail, but the rocky surface of La Granadella Forest Park. Here’s what to know about the adventurous hike near Playa Granadella.
Coastal Loop From Playa de la Granadella
The 6 km hiking trail starts at the beach, and takes you on a loop up and around Granadella Javea. It took us just over 2 hours with stops at the many viewpoints.
You’ll want to go left and head towards the Granadella Castle first, and loop back around to the right to finish. Pay close attention to the Granadella hike trail markers along your journey! They’re highlighted on various rocks in white and yellow, but it can be easy to miss them in certain sections.
The first part of the trail goes above Playa Granadella for spectacular views of the beach. After heading downhill, you will come to a rock wall that has chains attached to it to help you get across.
From there, you will get to the ruins of the Castell de la Granadella which was built in the 18th century. This next part of the Granadella hike brings you up the rocky hill to the other side of the coastline.
Keep in mind, there are no safety railings to protect you from the edge. The path also switches back and forth from rocks to small dirt walkways.
The last part of the trail takes you down the backside and back to the Granadella Beach. This section is a paved walkway which will be a relief after all that climbing. Surely, once you get to the bottom, you’ll be ready for a dip in the water at Playa de la Granadella!
Is Playa de La Granadella Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! This beautiful beach has become one of our favorites in Costa Blanca. We love how close it is to Javea city centre, but how it still feels like a world away from the upscale cafes and restaurants.
Still, with that comes a warning. In the summertime we would avoid Granadella Beach at all costs!
After visiting Playa la Granadella without any crowds, it’s hard to imagine it when it’s packed full of people. If you have no choice but to go during high season just get there as early as possible.
We recommend getting to the Granadella hike at sunrise, and then heading straight to the beach to claim your spot. As we’ve said, we much prefer it in the off-season. The pictures you see are from spring time when we practically had it to ourselves!
Have any questions about this article or want to share your own tips for Playa la Granadella? 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!
This was so helpful! Me and my husband decided to do some sightseeing in Javea and good thing I stumbled across this blog! A huge thanks we were able to do a lot of activities in Playa De La Granadella and the view was just breathtaking!
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Thanks for reading! So glad you got to visit this special beach