Welcome to our article on the best things to do in Xabia/Javea! We are Noe & Rober, both originally from Madrid which is where we live at the moment. Noe runs her own business and is dedicated to digital marketing, while Roberto works in the security industry. We are lucky that we both share a passion for traveling and want to live out new experiences in life together.
Madrid is a great city and is perfect for discovering other parts of Spain. Our country is diverse and has so much to offer that every time we get to discover a new place, many times we feel compelled to revisit that same place – as is the case for Xabia/Javea. On our latest trip there, we stayed for a week. This time we wanted to introduce our families to the town.
During this visit we enjoyed a number of different experiences and thus were able to fully immerse ourselves in the essence of this coastal town. We went snorkeling in several of its incredible coves, watched beautiful sunsets from Cumbre del Sol, embarked on adventures around the cliffs, swam in infinity pools with picturesque views, went stand-up paddleboarding on the crystal-clear waters and explored its surroundings at spots like Portixol!
Xabia/Javea is an ideal base for people who want to check out the province of Alicante. It’s suited for those who like small coves instead of large, commercial beaches. Every traveler visiting Spain should include this town on their itinerary because it’s a unique and special part of Costa Blanca.
Our favorite place in Xabia/Javea is Cala del Moraig. The location of this secluded little cove (situated between dramatic cliffs), and the hypnotizing color of its water, made us fall in love. Here, we had a wonderful time snorkeling through Cueva de los Arcos – a cave with incredible sea arches. But by no means is this the only amazing place to visit in the region! Below we outline the top seven things to do on your trip to Xabia/Javea.
7 Best Things To Do in Xabia/Javea
1. Go on a Snorkeling Adventure
Xabia/Javea is a fantastic destination for snorkeling. Most of the coves and beaches boast turquoise waters and a lively seabed. You can either snorkel on your own or join a snorkeling tour – both are recommended. Playa de la Granadella and Playa de Cala Ambolo are two such places where you can enjoy this activity – in addition to swimming, sunbathing and kayaking.
2. Stand-Up Paddleboard at Cala El Portet
One of the best experiences we have ever had in Xabia/Javea was renting stand-up paddleboards in Cala El Portet. This sheltered and wide beach gives paddlers the chance to soak up breathtaking views from the water. The backdrop of rocky headlands and cliffs adds to the allure. There are also restaurants nearby where you can refuel for further SUP adventures.
3. Watch the Sunset at Cumbre del Sol
The highest point in Xabia/Javea is Cumbre del Sol. Every afternoon, sunset-lovers gather here to experience golden hour. On one side of Cumbre del Sol the sun sets over the horizon and on the other side lies the sea. All in all, it’s one of the best 360-degree views that can be contemplated.
4. Visit Portixol (Also Known as Cala de la Barraca)
This small fishing village is known for its charming little houses with white and blue doors. The magic of this destination lies in how the buildings combine with the beach – making it worthy of any postcard! The tranquil, clear waters of Portixol invite you in to take a dip after capturing photos.
5. Book a Boat or Catamaran Excursion
Seeing some of Xabia/Javea’s coves from the sea is a perspective not to be missed. With shimmering waters, hidden bays and scenic cliffs – these tours offer direct access to Javea’s natural beauty. You can swim, snorkel, enjoy the Mediterranean’s serenity and make memories that last a lifetime.
6. Do the Awesome Cliff Route Walk
This coastal route along the edge of cliffs connects Cala del Moraig with Cala Llebeig. The landscape throughout is one of the most beautiful in all of Costa Blanca! It’s about three or four kilometers of walking and will take one hour for the average person, depending on how many stops you have.
7. Discover the Sea Caves Around Xabia/Javea
Xabia/Javea is blessed with several sea caves where you can swim and snorkel until your heart’s content! Some of them are accessible through hiking, while others are only reached by boat or kayak. There are also many excursions for this. As mentioned before, Cueva de los Arcos was our favorite place in Xabia/Javea but there are even more sea caves to find.
Accommodation in Xabia/Javea
On our first trip we stayed at a glamping site called Dreamsea Mediterranean Camp, which we 100% recommend. It was the perfect place to experience the essence of Xabia/Javea, as it’s located on a spectacular cliff. The tents are comfortable and cozy, the services are superb, the food at the restaurant is delicious and the infinity pool is heavenly! From here, you can also go on excursions such as snorkeling and kayaking.
During our latest visit to Xabia/Javea, with our family, we stayed in an Airbnb on the slopes of the Cumbre del Sol. This accommodation was fantastic – featuring sweeping views of the sea. The duplex had two large infinity pools from where we spent some relaxing moments with our families. Airbnbs are a good option for accommodation in Xabia/Javea.
Tips for Your Visit to Xabia/Javea
To get to know Xabia/Javea and its surroundings, as well as to reach its hidden corners and coves, we recommend having your own transport or renting a car. That being said, a bus network does exist and it can take you to some of the more popular beaches – however, only during high season.
We think traveling to Xabia/Javea before and after summer, such as May or September, is best. We advise against July and August since the beauty of this place is slightly diminished by the sheer number of visitors. It can be hard to find your own place on the beach or secure parking spaces. You should keep in mind that coves such as Playa de la Granadella and Cala del Moraig have limited parking spots, and some require parking payment.
Be sure to bring your own snorkeling gear, swimwear and comfortable shoes. Also, when visiting the coves, pack food and drinks because there aren’t any restaurants or shops at some of them. Though, you can always find tasty fish and seafood dishes at one of the towns near to Xabia/Javea. And that’s all you need to know. Thanks for reading! Feel free to follow us on Instagram and read our blog for more tips: viajerosaddicted.com.
