There are so many beautiful places in Spain including Madrid but in the center of the country & the very center of the city, everyone goes goo-goo-gaga (is this a real word?) over the beach. You constantly hear locals or non-locals talk about the nearest beachy getaway spot. Especially when the weather starts to get crazy hot starting right about… now & it’s only June!! One of these spots everyone swears by in Madrid is a coastal town called Javea, Spain.

Several weeks ago I had a chance to finally see Javea AKA Xabia, in the Valencia region (roughly around 5 hours south of Barcelona.) Much needed vacation spot away from the city; I loved this wittle town. From the food, to the people (sooo nice & helpful), not to mention the cost compared to MAD!! Everything exceeded my expectation. I know when it comes to beachy towns like Javea, everyone likes to do different things. All depending on personal preferences & what you enjoy doing when you’re vacationing… There might be 1000 other things in Javea but I thought my list below might help you plan your next trip there :))

* Stay in: Villas

Accommodations during travels could make or break your vacation & Javea is no different. When my friends & I were searching for a place to stay, we started our search with Airbnb of course but quickly came across so many beautiful villas in town. These villas are all over Javea & they are so beautiful, the cool part is that (if booked early enough) the price is the same as Airbnb or some hotels. So before checking out hotels, Airbnb, and motels… checkout the villas.

* Check out: Old Town

Old Town Javea is petite & pretty. It’s difficult to find much about it online… just go there & wander around the ancient narrow streets, it’s soo beautiful. On Thursdays you can visit the local markets & one little tip, avoid going there on Sundays because mostly everything is closed (just like any other city in Spain.) There are also many shops around the Gothic Church of San Bartolome in Old Town & even though most restaurants are near Port of Javea (Xabia Puerto) you’ll come across a lot of yummy finds on this side of the town as you walk around.

* Chill at: La Siesta

La Siesta is the perfect spot for Javea– from the blue-white interior & decor to the beach view and the food, it suits the beachy vibe of Javea perfectly. Whether you want to layout or just enjoy a beautiful view while having some food, La Siesta should be on your list. It’s chill & relaxing during the day & at night it’s got more of lounge feel to it. There is a huge food/drink menu, starting at 9am for breakfast! I tried a few dishes there (late afternoon) & liked the food but please don’t quote me on it as I didn’t get their main dishes. Food or not, La Siesta definitely deserves to be on the list.

* Layout at: Cala la Granadella 

I think Cala la Granadella is the prettiest beach in Alicante region! Small and beautiful cove with crystal clear water located in the very south of Javea, down the Granadella Road. It’s not a sandy beach but it’s totally worth laying on bunch of rocks lol jk it’s less crowded (depending on the season) and has the most stunning views. I found out later you can also do all sorts of water activities like paddle boarding, scuba diving, diving as well. It might not be your first beach you visit in Javea but definitely add it to your list. Fun fact: Cala la Granadella is annually awarded the Blue Flag Award for Clean Seas of Europe :))

* Breakfast at: Austriaco Café Wien

We stumbled across this cafe when we were in Arenal Promenade, I know it’s nothing fancy or special but it kind of is lol. There is something about their in-house coffee & pastries/bread that made them special. It looks like a local spot, which is always a plus and all their pastries & baked goods are homemade. They have a huge selection of food for breakfast and a cute terrace/balcony outside. I don’t remember exactly what I ordered off their breakfast menu but for the price I was really happy with the food & the portion compared to the touristy spots around.  

xo

ph