Reflecting the tranquil ambience of Valencia coupled with the
sun and fun atmosphere of Spain's popular Costa Blanca holiday
coast, Javea is a pretty resort town set between the capes of San
Antonio and La Nao, about 50 miles (80km) north-east of Alicante.
Fronted by the bright blue Mediterranean Sea, and backed by the
conical Mount Montgo, the narrow streets of the historic town
centre are filled with wrought iron balconies and stone porticoes,
while the surrounding developments have been carefully controlled
to ensure no high-rise modern concrete buildings impose on the
serenity of the landscape. The old town is situated a mile or so
inland because its inhabitants feared the incursions of pirates in
days of yore. The waterfront of Javea centres around the working
fishing port of Aduanas de Mar and the adjacent busy marina. A
promenade is lined with good seafood restaurants, boutiques and
pavement cafes. The most popular beach, Arenal, is a long, sandy
stretch with safe bathing, just one of the many sandy bays and
coves to be enjoyed along the coastline. Several times a year Javea
lets its hair down with a lively fiesta. The best known, and most
enjoyed by visitors, is the 'Moors and Christians' celebration,
when locals re-enact the Moorish landings on the coast and the
recapture of the peninsula by Christian defenders. During the
second half of July the town is enveloped in an orgy of feasting,
street parades, dancing, music and fireworks.
