This northern Costa Blanca holiday town of Javea (Xabia) is tp be found about half the way in between Alicante and Valencia. The resort is overshadowed by the mountain of Montgo that, according to the local legend, is really an elephant that has been turned to solid rock. Although Javea attracts many visitors, especially during the peak season, it has avoided the high rise constructions that are found in a lot of other Costa Blanca towns and cities such as Benidorm. One of the biggest attractions in Javea is its small but nice beach of fine white sand. Holiday makers are also visit the town because of its good local scuba diving, snorkeling and wonderful scenery.

Javea has three main areas that are spread out over quite a large area; there is the old town (Javea Pueblo), the harbour (Javea Puerto) and the beach front (Playa de Arenal). Javea Pueblo is the most attractive part of the town with narrow roads and brilliant white buildings, making this a good place for an evening stroll. Sights in Javea Pueblo include the fine old Gothic church of San Bartolome, which was constructed during the thirteenth century, plus the busy local market selling regional produce including fresh fruit, vegetables and locally caught fish. The old town is also has plenty of traditional style Spanish bars offering delicious tapas.

Javea Puerto is still very much a real working harbour, with the local fishing trawlers moored up alongside luxury cruisers in Javea Marina. The bars and fine restaurants that line the quayside attracts many tourists, and the vistas over the bay are picturesque. Pleasure boat tours round the Cabo de San Antonio and to the nearby town of Denia are sold from the port during the peak summer season.

Most touristsand head straight for the Javea Beaches and Playa de Arenal with its 1000 foot long stretch of fine white sand. Although the beach is quite small, it is very well kept and there are lots of good facilities such as volleyball nets and play equipment for younger children. Behind the beach is a wide esplanade packed with an assortment of small cafes, bars and good restaurants. Although some of them can be quite pricey, so you should try the cheaper ones that are set further away from the beach that are popular with the local and numerous expats. Playa de Arenal is bustling in the evening during the peak summer months, especially with younger tourists, yet it still remains relatively quiet for the rest of the season.

Sub aqua diving is a popular sport in Javea due to the clear Mediterranean water, and there are a few specialist businesses offering excursions and diving lessons. There are also to be found some excellent hiking trails in the area, try asking in the Javea tourist office for a walking guide. Javea fiestas are popular and numerous, including the Moors and Christians fiesta in July, with its trademark colourful processions through the streets. The festival of Fogueres de Sant Joan, in June, finishes in the torching of big papier mache figures, while the most strange of celebrations, which takes place in the harbour area during September, sees local boys trying to trick angry bulls into the Med.

There is a bus route from Javea to Alicante, Valencia and Denia and regular local buses in between the beach, harbour and Javea Pueblo.

For more travel advice and attraction information about Javea, Spain please visit Javea