We can´t keep it a secret any longer. Some of the most inviting Spanish beaches for swimming, sunbathing or relaxing are found right in and around Jávea.

Most visitors will have just a single picture of the Arenal in mind when considering the beaches of Javea, Spain, however there are several and they each have something special to offer.

The Arenal Beach Jávea – Family Friendly and Busy
There is no doubt playa del Arenal or the Arenal Beach is the main attraction in Javea. The white sand stretches for a couple of kilometers of absolutely immaculate and eye-popping shoreline.

The Arenal Beach is well maintained all through the summer. It is tidied up every day in time for the tourists arriving, official lifeguards are in place at all times  and safe areas for minors to swim are clearly marked in the water. There is access to free public toilets, beach volleyball and playgrounds for the kids, along with hundreds of comfortable sun loungers to lay and enjoy the spectacle of the busy beach with a book or a drink.

Surrounding the Xabia Arenal Beach is a strip of more restaurants, beach shops and bars than you could possible manage to visit during your vacation on the Costa Blanca. The Arenal is very targeted at visiting tourists and to an extend expatriates living in Jávea. Speaking English or German is absolutely fine to get you by and using Spanish is realistically more for the novelty value than necessity.

In terms of being family friendly and safe the Javea beach is most likely the perfect choice and the best choice on the Costa Blanca. Apart from the facilities, activities for kids and life guards the natural layout of the Javea bay makes it ideal for kids trying out swimming in the sea or playing on the beach.  The water by the Javea beach is incredibly shallow and even a toddler could in theory walk outwards for hundreds of meters without going under water.  The end of the huge shallow swimming and bathing area is clearly marked and monitored by life guards.

Finding holiday rentals within easy walking distance of the Arenal Beach is relatively easy and cheap if you want accommodation in a bungalow or vacation apartment. These types of holiday homes in Jávea are plentiful and relatively modest in price, though the price rises steeply if you require a first row sea view location. Obviously being within walking distance of the beach also means your vacation home is within walking distance of largely every tourist in the area, so if you prefer tranquility and do not mind a short drive to beach, a villa in an urbanization slightly further away may be preferential for you. You can dive into more information about the Arenal Beach in Javea here

Granadella Beach – A Small Paradise in Jávea
The surroundings at Granadella beach are simply unbelievably picturesque and scenic on a level so spectacular that it looks like one of those glossy commercials for exotic beaches in far away countries, but at Granadella cove its the reality to be enjoyed fully by visitors that find their way down the narrow mountain slope to this paradise in Jávea Spain.

Granadella beach in itself is a sort of tiny village with most facilities such as rescue services, public toilets, restaurants and a bar available to people visiting for the day as well as those opting for an entire vacation in the glorious milieu of mountainous nature, bright clean water by the pebbled beach.

Rentals at Granadella are relatively few and fairly expensive compared to Jávea as a whole. There are exceptions if you did for bargains on holiday lets in Granadella it isnt impossible to find one, but overall a Granadella cove destination for your break away to Spain has to be a conscious connoisseurs decision to pay a little bit more for peace and quiet in one of the most beautiful spots in all of Spain.

Heres a dedicated article with more about Granadella Beach

Portitxol Beach – The Quiet Beauty
A real little hidden gem of Jávea is the Portitxol beach, also referred to as Portichol and La Barraca. Its small and undisturbed with more pebbles than sand, but the surroundings are simply astonishingly beautiful with forest hills leading down to the beach and the uninhabited Portitxol Island just off shore.

The facilities are few at the playa del Portitxol so bring along sufficient supplies for a pleasant day at the beach. A nice little restaurant is sneakily hidden right around the corner from the main beach area of Portitxol though, it is still on the beach but hidden from view by a big rock. Excellent sea foods, Spanish dishes and refreshments are available at the restaurant at rather low prices – and the food comes with amazing views to the spectacular coastline round Portitxol and out towards the island.

Rentals at Portitxol are plenty but exclusively villas and few are actually within walking distance of the beach. That however does not mean it is a bad area to be renting in, to the contrary, the nature all around Portitxol is incredibly eye-catching and pleasant to hike in, whilst you are still just a short 10minute drive from the main tourist areas of Jávea.

The Nudist Beach Ambolo – Privacy For Nude Swimming In The Med
Being naked is not really something to be generally ashamed of in Spain. The Spanish have a much more relaxed attitude the human body than most uptight Northern Europeans and in fact most places do not mind nudity on the public beaches. However, those same public beaches in Spain will potentially be full of uptight Northern Europeans who imagine terrible disasters will happen if they encounter a naked body.

Thus, if you fancy being naked on the beach and swimming in the glorious Mediterranean sea without anyone looking at you funny, the Javea nudist beach is the place to go. It is a bit of a challenge to get to it down long and steep stoner stairs towards the sea, but once there it is very private and pleasant.

Bring plenty of supplies for your trip as there are no restaurants, shops or facilities on this particular beach.

The Javea Ports Pebbled Beaches
Duanes al mar or the Jávea port is a thriving little active port with a small marina for visiting sailors alongside actual fishermen going out on the Mediterranean to catch those fresh sea foods we consume in the many local Javea restaurants catering to lovers of fish, lobsters or oysters.

Just below the port-areas cosy promenade with seafront cafes and restaurants there is a small but nice pebbled beach. It is not one of those beaches you would travel to visit, but more of a casual place to relax with a book during siesta hours or to have your kids play in the water whilst enjoying take-away goodies from a nearby café.

Beyond the marina of Duanes Al Mar is another pebbled beach named Tango Beach (Pope). It is located right at the foot of the Móntgo National Park, which provides for splendid surroundings and unparalleled views. Should the days by the crystal clear water inspire you to venture out to see, the port area also hosts the sailing club of Javea, Club Nautico, as well as the Javea Sailing School.

Both Javea Port beaches have all facilities within easy walking distance. There are numerous options for low priced apartment rentals on the Javea port through private landlords and local agents.

Cala Blanca Beach – If Undisturbed Nature Is Your Preference
Whilst actually located within reasonable walking distance of the main Arenal Beach of Javea, the Cala Blanca beach comes across as miles away from the buzz and business of the tourist areas.

La Caleta as it is also known is a small, pebbled and rocky beach that does not particularly cater well to those craving a typical day building sandcastles and drinking pina coladas on a Spanish beach whilst obtaining a sun tan. Cala Blanca does something entirely different though, it offers a unique experience in the nature of Javea with white rocks and little caves to adore and explore.

As always round Xabia the water is crystal clear and inviting, but La Caleta is best suited for a little manageable hike in nature, a day of tranquility in undisturbed but beautiful surroundings and the like. Being as close to the main playa of Xabia, rentals of all types are generously available.

Other beaches round Jávea
The total coastline round Jávea is in excess of 25kms and you will find plenty more interesting little coves, pebbled and rocky beaches hidden away all along the coast. Some you can drive to, others require a walk through sometimes challenging footpaths or little mountainous roads down to the beach itself but some can only be found, explored and accessed from sea. A few more beaches potentially worth hunting around for are ones such as La Grava, Primer Montañar and Segundo Montañar (first and second Montanar basically), Cala Sardinera and Cala La Barra.

Obviously, the harder these beaches are to access, the fewer facilities they typically have. Do not expect busy restaurants and around the clock life guards in a cove only accessibly by boat. On the upside though you have the opportunity to do some true exploration on the Xabia coast, find stunningly beautiful hidden gems that are entirely undisturbed by the tourism of the area even if they are surprisingly close to the tourist hot spots in a direct line.

You can find maps in the Javea tourist offices and on big outdoor posters round town pinpointing the location of most of the more accessible beaches. Going on a treasure hunt for lovely tranquil places in the Costa Blanca might be even more fun though.