Caroline’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Arenal Beach, Javea
Arenal is a lovely sand beach in the shape of crescent. It is very popular as has a lovely wide promenade and all the popular restaurants and bars along the beach. We go here a lot as the sea gets very warm and nice to have lunch /supper in one of the restaurants.
To get to Arenal much the same as above but out of the house and take first right and go straight past the bins down the narrow lane past the vines , it’s narrow and windy and one blind bend to beware of. At the end of the road you take a dog leg and almost straight across. You follow this road for about 2km i think it’s sign los pinos’ . when you get to the junction you take thesecond exit off the roundabout then first right. At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit in the direct of the sea and you should come to a mas y mas. There is a car park here but you can also park in the service road that runs parallel to the breach.
Arenal beach also has lots of good bars and restaurants. We like Aqua, Atalya which is to the right of mas y mas and up some stairs, amazing views at sunset and over the beach. Achill is along here too and nice.
Lots of restaurants on Arenal, our favourites:
Aqua - (https://www.javeacompany.com/) at the far end of the Arenal, on the right if you are looking out to sea, pizzas lovely salads, mixed grills etc, very popular and lovely as the sun is setting! Good value and part of the popular Javea Company group,
La Bambula – tucked in the corner next to Aqua (part of the Javea Company)
La Boheme – almost at the exact opposite end of the beach to Aqua, part of the Javea company, more of a smarter restaurant, booking necessary in the evening, but amazing set menu and lovely food.
Avenida Arenal
Avenida ArenalArenal Beach, Javea
Arenal is a lovely sand beach in the shape of crescent. It is very popular as has a lovely wide promenade and all the popular restaurants and bars along the beach. We go here a lot as the sea gets very warm and nice to have lunch /supper in one of the restaurants.
To get to Arenal much the same as above but out of the house and take first right and go straight past the bins down the narrow lane past the vines , it’s narrow and windy and one blind bend to beware of. At the end of the road you take a dog leg and almost straight across. You follow this road for about 2km i think it’s sign los pinos’ . when you get to the junction you take thesecond exit off the roundabout then first right. At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit in the direct of the sea and you should come to a mas y mas. There is a car park here but you can also park in the service road that runs parallel to the breach.
Arenal beach also has lots of good bars and restaurants. We like Aqua, Atalya which is to the right of mas y mas and up some stairs, amazing views at sunset and over the beach. Achill is along here too and nice.
Lots of restaurants on Arenal, our favourites:
Aqua - (https://www.javeacompany.com/) at the far end of the Arenal, on the right if you are looking out to sea, pizzas lovely salads, mixed grills etc, very popular and lovely as the sun is setting! Good value and part of the popular Javea Company group,
La Bambula – tucked in the corner next to Aqua (part of the Javea Company)
La Boheme – almost at the exact opposite end of the beach to Aqua, part of the Javea company, more of a smarter restaurant, booking necessary in the evening, but amazing set menu and lovely food.
Javea Old Town
(Thursday is market day in the old town )
The centerpiece of Javea’s old town is the church of San Bartolome, which dates back to the 12th century. The church is built out of a material known as “Tosca,” a type of rock that can be found in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea. This leads many to believe that at the time the church was constructed the rocks from which Tosca is obtained were available on land. The area around the church used to be a walled fortification that protected the locals from marauding pirates. The wall has long since crumbled, and today there are three stone crosses around the town that mark the sites of the original gates.
Directions:
From the house continue to the very end of our road. At the end turn right to take you down a hill. At the junction turn left and drive past Javea Golf club. Continue along this road until you get to the roundabout (our very favourite restaurant with two Michelin stars is on this roundabout, Bon Amb – they have the most amazing tasting menu for 85euros for 5 courses, but also A la carte – we went with the girls as a treat and is amazing, but you might want to check out the menu and see what there is for children)
At the roundabout go straight across. At the next roundabout take first exit. When you reach the next roundabout, you should start to see signs for parking and centre historic. It’s quite complicated to describe how to get into the centre, so probably easier to just follow the ‘p’ signs and that should get you to the underground car park.
The old town is very pretty and quite small, so easy to navigate around. In the centre is the beautiful 12th century church, San Bartolome and next door is the covered market. From this central area there are lots of alleyways so very nice just to explore. Thursdays is their open market which sells everything, fruit/veg clothes, shoes.....it has my favourite shoe stall selling the traditional Majorcan leather sandals called Avarca’s – they are 15euros and so comfortable. I have them in every colour and Elianne is building her collection!
We have found a new place to eat called Volt i Volta opposite La Rebotica, amazing 12.50 euro menu del dia!
www.voltaivoltarestaurant.com
Also, this has been highly recommended but we have yet to try:
La Tasca Rebotica
Calle San Bartolome
You can’t miss it as there are lots of geraniums planted in tins mounted on the walls outside!
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234 lokale anbefaler
Xàbia
Javea Old Town
(Thursday is market day in the old town )
The centerpiece of Javea’s old town is the church of San Bartolome, which dates back to the 12th century. The church is built out of a material known as “Tosca,” a type of rock that can be found in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea. This leads many to believe that at the time the church was constructed the rocks from which Tosca is obtained were available on land. The area around the church used to be a walled fortification that protected the locals from marauding pirates. The wall has long since crumbled, and today there are three stone crosses around the town that mark the sites of the original gates.
Directions:
From the house continue to the very end of our road. At the end turn right to take you down a hill. At the junction turn left and drive past Javea Golf club. Continue along this road until you get to the roundabout (our very favourite restaurant with two Michelin stars is on this roundabout, Bon Amb – they have the most amazing tasting menu for 85euros for 5 courses, but also A la carte – we went with the girls as a treat and is amazing, but you might want to check out the menu and see what there is for children)
At the roundabout go straight across. At the next roundabout take first exit. When you reach the next roundabout, you should start to see signs for parking and centre historic. It’s quite complicated to describe how to get into the centre, so probably easier to just follow the ‘p’ signs and that should get you to the underground car park.
The old town is very pretty and quite small, so easy to navigate around. In the centre is the beautiful 12th century church, San Bartolome and next door is the covered market. From this central area there are lots of alleyways so very nice just to explore. Thursdays is their open market which sells everything, fruit/veg clothes, shoes.....it has my favourite shoe stall selling the traditional Majorcan leather sandals called Avarca’s – they are 15euros and so comfortable. I have them in every colour and Elianne is building her collection!
We have found a new place to eat called Volt i Volta opposite La Rebotica, amazing 12.50 euro menu del dia!
www.voltaivoltarestaurant.com
Also, this has been highly recommended but we have yet to try:
La Tasca Rebotica
Calle San Bartolome
You can’t miss it as there are lots of geraniums planted in tins mounted on the walls outside!
ReplyForward
Sightseeing
El Portet Breach (near Moraira) favourite beach with children!
El portet is a really pretty sandy cove. It’s quite a narrow beach and has three restaurants (of which Le Dauphine is very much fine dining), and the loveliest sunsets, so you can on the beach for a long day and then have drinks on the promenade looking over to cap d’ilfach.
To get to El Portet you can leave Benitachell via two routes that you will come to know. The first and maybe marginally quicker is to leave the house, take first right and go past the bins and the take the right after the bins down the steep hill. Go past Mas y mas and straight over traffic lights. At the next set of traffic lights get in the left-hand lane (there is a euronics store on the corner) and turn left. You stay on this road all the way into Moraira (you will go past a shopping area call ‘Alaire’ where there is large Mercadona surpermarket and Aldi and a Chinese supermarket that you can anything and everything in) but continue on until; you reach Moraira and the last roundabout (just after the large car park on the right) you should take the third exit, at the next mini roundabout take the first exit signposted ‘Del Portet’ and just follow the coast road as it snakes around the cliff.....you will see to two tower blocks of el portet and the beach ahead of you. This is a perfect beach for children. It is sandy and very shallow and water is quite warm. We unload the car right by the bars on the beach and then one of us parks. I normally go up to the top of the very steep hill (left at the bottom of the beach) and park right at the very top where there is a little shade under the trees and just walk back down the hill. We usually take the sunloungers/parasols/sun tent and a picnic and then we are set up for the day. The bars are fine for drinks/snacks/ice creams etc.
202 lokale anbefaler
Moraira
0 CarreteraEl Portet Breach (near Moraira) favourite beach with children!
El portet is a really pretty sandy cove. It’s quite a narrow beach and has three restaurants (of which Le Dauphine is very much fine dining), and the loveliest sunsets, so you can on the beach for a long day and then have drinks on the promenade looking over to cap d’ilfach.
To get to El Portet you can leave Benitachell via two routes that you will come to know. The first and maybe marginally quicker is to leave the house, take first right and go past the bins and the take the right after the bins down the steep hill. Go past Mas y mas and straight over traffic lights. At the next set of traffic lights get in the left-hand lane (there is a euronics store on the corner) and turn left. You stay on this road all the way into Moraira (you will go past a shopping area call ‘Alaire’ where there is large Mercadona surpermarket and Aldi and a Chinese supermarket that you can anything and everything in) but continue on until; you reach Moraira and the last roundabout (just after the large car park on the right) you should take the third exit, at the next mini roundabout take the first exit signposted ‘Del Portet’ and just follow the coast road as it snakes around the cliff.....you will see to two tower blocks of el portet and the beach ahead of you. This is a perfect beach for children. It is sandy and very shallow and water is quite warm. We unload the car right by the bars on the beach and then one of us parks. I normally go up to the top of the very steep hill (left at the bottom of the beach) and park right at the very top where there is a little shade under the trees and just walk back down the hill. We usually take the sunloungers/parasols/sun tent and a picnic and then we are set up for the day. The bars are fine for drinks/snacks/ice creams etc.
Playa del Moraig
This is the nearest beach to the house. Head towards Mas y mas and at the first set of traffic lights (if you are heading in direction of Moraira as opposed to Javea) take the left turn heading towards Cumbre de Sol. At the top of the hill it’s worth stopping for the amazing views. Continue along this road and you will find yourself in the cumber de sol urbanisation, ‘la Playa’ is signposted but you just head down the hill towards the sea. There is a beach restaurant and nice beach, pebbly so take jelly shoes (there is a bag of jelly shoes in the draw under the double bed in the bedroom off the kitchen) and try to park as close to the beach as possible as it’s a steep walk back. There is also a cave to look at and it’s facing for scuba divers as as southern europes largest underwater lake and the cave is the entrance to it.
Benitachell station
Playa del Moraig
This is the nearest beach to the house. Head towards Mas y mas and at the first set of traffic lights (if you are heading in direction of Moraira as opposed to Javea) take the left turn heading towards Cumbre de Sol. At the top of the hill it’s worth stopping for the amazing views. Continue along this road and you will find yourself in the cumber de sol urbanisation, ‘la Playa’ is signposted but you just head down the hill towards the sea. There is a beach restaurant and nice beach, pebbly so take jelly shoes (there is a bag of jelly shoes in the draw under the double bed in the bedroom off the kitchen) and try to park as close to the beach as possible as it’s a steep walk back. There is also a cave to look at and it’s facing for scuba divers as as southern europes largest underwater lake and the cave is the entrance to it.
Jalon/Xalo (valenciano spelling)
Saturday flea market in Jalon. The jalon valley is the famous wine valley and Jalon is the main town. To get there you drive back along the cv740 as though you were going to back to the motorway but you don’t exit the cv740, stay on this road headed towards Benissa. At the second roundabout take first right towards Cenija, you will pass through cenija then Lliber before you reach Jalon. When in Jalon go straight over first roundabout and send roundabout. At the mas y mas turn left and there are two parking areas, each cost 1 euro, we always park with the lady beckoning you in. The flea market runs along the river. There are two good bodegas’ where you can buy the big bottles of local wine, for wine we prefer the bodega that is a couple of doors down from the mas y mas, the demi seco vino tinto, and you can also buy the local cava from denia here. If buying wine, we do this first then put it in the car before heading to the market. The other wine warehouse is at the far end of the road that runs parallel to the river, you can’t miss it, here you can taste all the wine and is a nice thig to do and they sell lovely olive oil that’s all from the region
My favourite artist, Vincente Herrera, sets up a small stand tucked away at the side of the tourist information office – beautiful oil paintings.....starting at 25euros – cash only.
71 lokale anbefaler
Jalón
Jalon/Xalo (valenciano spelling)
Saturday flea market in Jalon. The jalon valley is the famous wine valley and Jalon is the main town. To get there you drive back along the cv740 as though you were going to back to the motorway but you don’t exit the cv740, stay on this road headed towards Benissa. At the second roundabout take first right towards Cenija, you will pass through cenija then Lliber before you reach Jalon. When in Jalon go straight over first roundabout and send roundabout. At the mas y mas turn left and there are two parking areas, each cost 1 euro, we always park with the lady beckoning you in. The flea market runs along the river. There are two good bodegas’ where you can buy the big bottles of local wine, for wine we prefer the bodega that is a couple of doors down from the mas y mas, the demi seco vino tinto, and you can also buy the local cava from denia here. If buying wine, we do this first then put it in the car before heading to the market. The other wine warehouse is at the far end of the road that runs parallel to the river, you can’t miss it, here you can taste all the wine and is a nice thig to do and they sell lovely olive oil that’s all from the region
My favourite artist, Vincente Herrera, sets up a small stand tucked away at the side of the tourist information office – beautiful oil paintings.....starting at 25euros – cash only.
Food scene
Moraira
Pretty family resort with one main beach. We tend not to use Moraira beach, and go to El Portet, however there is a lovely cocktail bar in the marina called ‘The Upper Club’ and the restaurant beneath it is good. Not many people know it’s there as you have to go through the barrier to the marina car park, but nice views over the marina and sea.
Moraira has lots of restaurants we like Vespa’s down on the sea front by the castle.
I have also been recommended a pizza place called ‘La Plaza’ it’s on main avenue called Avenida Madrid no 12 and is on same side of the road as the Chinese (the hotel ‘La Sort’ is at the seafront end of this street.
You’ll also see my uncle Chester's (Himes) memorial stone and photo by the castle on the sea front.
There is a market in Moraira on Friday’s but not as nice a Javea’s market (Thursday).
202 lokale anbefaler
Moraira
0 CarreteraMoraira
Pretty family resort with one main beach. We tend not to use Moraira beach, and go to El Portet, however there is a lovely cocktail bar in the marina called ‘The Upper Club’ and the restaurant beneath it is good. Not many people know it’s there as you have to go through the barrier to the marina car park, but nice views over the marina and sea.
Moraira has lots of restaurants we like Vespa’s down on the sea front by the castle.
I have also been recommended a pizza place called ‘La Plaza’ it’s on main avenue called Avenida Madrid no 12 and is on same side of the road as the Chinese (the hotel ‘La Sort’ is at the seafront end of this street.
You’ll also see my uncle Chester's (Himes) memorial stone and photo by the castle on the sea front.
There is a market in Moraira on Friday’s but not as nice a Javea’s market (Thursday).
Javea Port
Just further along the coastline from Arenal is Javea port area. To get here follow the directions to the beach but instead follow the main road that runs parallel with the sea. You will cross a bridge at the far end of the road (near the large hotel) and keep following the long straight road that runs alongside the sea front. Along this stretch of rocky beach there are lots of little beach bars that pop up for the season, however there is a permanent restaurant and this is La Siesta. It is part of the javea company (La Boheme, bambula, Aqua etc) and is a whitewashed building with light blue signage. It sits right on the beach and is a beach club during the day with sun loungers and day beds. They serve food all day and evening so we normally early evening. They offer pasta, etc. We love their clams and sea linguine. But is a lovely place to chill out at. Also along this stretch is a lovely, contemporary Thai restaurant called Monsoon Thai (very popular and you need to book)
A little further along (and before you reach the bridge that cross the river ‘Gata’ you might want to look for parking on the right.) Along the sea front here at the port end you will find lots of lovely restaurants and very much families having evenings out. Our favourite is ‘Ca Maria’ and before 8pm they have an excellent set menu and set tapas menu for 14.95 and 16.95 respectively. However, all these restaurants get busy and so you might just want to wander up and down the promenade to see what menu you like the look of. There is also a beach here and it has a lifeguard (nearly all the beaches have life guards and red cross) They have a inflatable water adventure ‘playground’ tethered in the sea with lifeguards on. Which looked like a lot of fun.
9 lokale anbefaler
Port De Xabia station
3 Puerto de JáveaJavea Port
Just further along the coastline from Arenal is Javea port area. To get here follow the directions to the beach but instead follow the main road that runs parallel with the sea. You will cross a bridge at the far end of the road (near the large hotel) and keep following the long straight road that runs alongside the sea front. Along this stretch of rocky beach there are lots of little beach bars that pop up for the season, however there is a permanent restaurant and this is La Siesta. It is part of the javea company (La Boheme, bambula, Aqua etc) and is a whitewashed building with light blue signage. It sits right on the beach and is a beach club during the day with sun loungers and day beds. They serve food all day and evening so we normally early evening. They offer pasta, etc. We love their clams and sea linguine. But is a lovely place to chill out at. Also along this stretch is a lovely, contemporary Thai restaurant called Monsoon Thai (very popular and you need to book)
A little further along (and before you reach the bridge that cross the river ‘Gata’ you might want to look for parking on the right.) Along the sea front here at the port end you will find lots of lovely restaurants and very much families having evenings out. Our favourite is ‘Ca Maria’ and before 8pm they have an excellent set menu and set tapas menu for 14.95 and 16.95 respectively. However, all these restaurants get busy and so you might just want to wander up and down the promenade to see what menu you like the look of. There is also a beach here and it has a lifeguard (nearly all the beaches have life guards and red cross) They have a inflatable water adventure ‘playground’ tethered in the sea with lifeguards on. Which looked like a lot of fun.
Food scene
Le Cumbre
This restaurant is in an area called ‘Cumbre de Sol. To get to it head towards Mas y mas and at the first set of traffic lights (if you are heading in direction of Moraira as opposed to Javea) take the left turn heading towards Cumbre de Sol. At the top of the hill it’s worth stopping for the amazing views. Continue along this road and you will find yourself in the cumber de sol urbanisation and you will see ‘Le Cuimbre’ on your left. It has a lovely pool and amazing views, it has a good reputation so worth a visit.
20 lokale anbefaler
el Cim del Sol
Le Cumbre
This restaurant is in an area called ‘Cumbre de Sol. To get to it head towards Mas y mas and at the first set of traffic lights (if you are heading in direction of Moraira as opposed to Javea) take the left turn heading towards Cumbre de Sol. At the top of the hill it’s worth stopping for the amazing views. Continue along this road and you will find yourself in the cumber de sol urbanisation and you will see ‘Le Cuimbre’ on your left. It has a lovely pool and amazing views, it has a good reputation so worth a visit.
2 Michelin star restaurant. Must book. Fine dining. 5 minutes from the house. Very much a place for special occasions, but incredible food experience.
22 lokale anbefaler
BonAmb Restaurant
100 Carrer Benitachell2 Michelin star restaurant. Must book. Fine dining. 5 minutes from the house. Very much a place for special occasions, but incredible food experience.
Maxim Restaurante
1 Ctra. Moraira a Calpeexcellent restaurant. Must book.
La Siesta
27 Av. del Mediterráneofavorite seaside restaurant, beach club.
La Barraca/Portixol
CALA CLEMENCE - amazing beach restaurant, overlooking portixol beach.
Calle la Barraca 76 La Mar Blava, Alacant, Spain, En la playa del Portixol, 03738, Javea
http://calaclemence.com/
En route to this beach you will have seen signs for another nice beach ‘la barraca or portixol,. This is another pebbly beach but very pretty and restaurant overlooks the water out of sight around the corner of the cliff, a nice alternative to Granadella.
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el Portitxol
La Barraca/Portixol
CALA CLEMENCE - amazing beach restaurant, overlooking portixol beach.
Calle la Barraca 76 La Mar Blava, Alacant, Spain, En la playa del Portixol, 03738, Javea
http://calaclemence.com/
En route to this beach you will have seen signs for another nice beach ‘la barraca or portixol,. This is another pebbly beach but very pretty and restaurant overlooks the water out of sight around the corner of the cliff, a nice alternative to Granadella.