Life goes on on the Arenal beach, where tourists and locals coexist
Between small mountains, and with the sea as a witness, Jávea stands like a pearl on the Alicante coast . Calmer than her neighbor Gandia , but with more gear than Denia , this town? Coastal is the envy of the area.
Instagrammable restaurants, coves that compete with any summer advertisement and atmosphere all summer long... Jávea is a good option for a weekend when the heat is tight.
A landscape of pine trees and cliffs with the Mediterranean at your feet
Jávea is divided into three zones: the old town, the port and the beach area, this being the busiest… And making this partition, a pleasant walk to discover it from end to end.
Keep in mind that there is sand and a stone beach, and that this first one is artificial. But despite being, it has charm, because it is pick up between the trendy restaurants on the right –with the sea in front– and the Parador de Jávea to the left, imposing on the coast like a watchtower from the 20th century. You can sleep there, let's take note. For a weekend worthwhile, we have everything nearby.
The port of Jávea with the Montgó massif in the background
And it is in the Arenal Beach where life goes by, where you have breakfast early, you also eat early, and you can have something to eat after hours. Because whoever sits at their tables is a disparate mix of people from Madrid escaping from the hell of the capital and Germans and English who want to meet the Mediterranean.
Hence this mix of restaurants for foreigners and locals that offers sites for all tastes. But it is that even those that have their menus in English, have their charm.
Many have the same stamp, because whoever spends the summer there will tell you that there is a well-known Frenchman who does not stop opening places. And absolutely right. ** Acqua, ** is one of its latest openings, a space that serves both for dinner and for drinks, offering everything from meat to pizza, with a varied menu for all those who are hungry. Having an Italian dish listening to reggaeton –and the music from the bar next door– is a fun experience.
Jávea, a place to escape to stop time
But for those who prefer swing by the views and enjoy a good rice –We are in the Valencian Community!– There is a classic that never fails: ** La Perla de Jávea. **
Sitting with the salt from the beach and short jeans can be somewhat uncomfortable when competing with the cleanliness of their tables and cloth napkins, but in Jávea it is allowed, which is a beach place for a reason.
Ask for a table in the glass window and enjoy the bread with alioli and any of its rice dishes admiring the mountain in the background, the Cape of San Antonio. You will want the food to never end. We already have a place to eat on Sunday –don't forget to book in advance!–.
Also take note of Tula, a small restaurant near the beach, opened by a couple who previously worked at Casa Gerardo – whoever is from Jávea, knows what I'm talking about.
Your specialties? The venison tartare wave Iberian pen with Bordeaux sauce. And for dessert, rice pudding in homage to the place where they worked before. A good option for Saturday.
La Siesta, for a cocktail at sunset, or a brand new drink at night
And for dinner? ** Saona, ** which has also opened a branch in Madrid and has several in Valencia. Forget dining in a restaurant with plastic chairs. In Jávea you dine in cute places. Ask, by the way, tuna tataki pancakes with avocado or the lamb taco with lime and avocado emulsion.
And speaking of cute places, you can't miss ** La Siesta, ** literally... And not so much. This terrace and restaurant, halfway between the sandy beach and the port, delights those who want a cocktail at sunset, or a fresh drink at night. Balinese beds, chill out music… Because here you come to everything except to sleep.
Continuing with the night in case you want to go out, it is essential to take the first dance steps in ** Achill ,** which is still the biggest night claim. With the sea in the background, and the dance floor just behind it, it crowns the highest point of the local area of the beach.
Not to be missed either **Chabada** before the nightly ice cream. You have to think that the weekend has two nights.
Achill, one of the protagonists of Jávea's nightlife
Leaving behind pure and simple leisure, it must be emphasized that Jávea served as inspiration for Joaquín Sorolla, and having seen much of the world, the designer Cristóbal Balenciaga wanted to spend the last days of his life here.
Because in its stone coves, in the blue of its waters, and in its pine trees along the way, Xábia –with a Valencian accent– is pure beauty. Among its mountains, they sneak luxury houses and chalets that make anyone dream with their views. It becomes inevitable to think: “I hope I spend the summer there some August”. But there are also more earthly views, for all pockets...
On way to white cove, there is a metal gate that leads to a winding path through the pine trees that leads to the French cove… Do not look for her, it is almost impossible to find her in the Instagram location.
Somewhat uncomfortable due to its large stones - don't miss the crabeaters in the suitcase, please–, it has enviable views of Jávea.
It has a rock to which you have to escape with a very cold beer. Mixed with the salt in the water, it is the authentic taste of summer. The road, of course, is an amazing delight. A photo at your gazebo is mandatory.
For views, too, those of the Cape of San Antonio. They make you want to sit down and admire the views while Joan Manuel Serrat's song plays in your head. Or on the mobile, that we are technological for a reason. We already have the full Saturday.
Cape San Antonio, one of the most impressive views in the area
Speaking of mobile, Instagram is crying out for us to go to ** Cala del Portitxol, which has its own article. ** It is true that it is worth it for the photo, but getting to it and enjoying its location is something that is not captured by the lens of the phone.
Its road, between some of the most beautiful houses in Jávea, is already worth it. Above all because, between roof and roof, we observe the sea in the background, calling us. If possible, the view between one of its gaps deserves a previous photograph.
Below, we already meet this little Santorini whose houses -private property, let us not forget- are the perfect setting for the weekend's photo. They belong to the Peña El Mero.
Observing all this, it is clear that Cala del Portitxol has photogenic beauty, crowned by mountains. It is a little Alicante paradise that makes the eyes live and the feet suffer.
And after the photo? Have a drink at the new beach bar: Cala Clemence. To stop to retouch the photos, breathe the sea breeze and feel lucky –and melancholic– before returning. Oh!
White and blue: the colors of one of the most trendy beaches of the summer