Javea Port (Puerto de Xàbia)
Javea Port (also known as Xàbia Port or Puerto de Xàbia) is one of the three main areas of Javea.
Find a complete guide to the Javea port below, from how to find it, the best areas to visit, the many wonderful things you can do at the port, and the upcoming festivals, and key sights you can see.
I’ve also offered some of my personal recommendations of my favourite places around the port throughout the guide.
Where is the Javea port?
Javea Port is positioned between two key areas of Javea: the Old Town (2.5km distance) and the Arenal beach area (3km distance). If you want a central location with easy access to all of the main areas of Javea, I encourage you to look for accommodation around this area.
Javea Port Centre
Javea Port’s centre is the town’s lively hub. It’s especially active during festivals, when colourful parades fill the streets throughout the year.
Throughout the port, there are many narrow streets which are perfect for a leisurely explore. Down most of the streets, you can find a variety of shops or boutiques selling everything from handmade crafts to designer clothing.
One of my recommended areas to visit is the Plaza Adolfo Suarez, a lovely square lined with tapas bars and restaurants with outdoor seating all year around, open from the morning to the late night.
Popular among both locals and tourists, there are excellent places to sample traditional Spanish tapas and fresh seafood. Or you can even take a break next to the fountain which is surrounded by benches to sit on.
Javea Port Promenade
Javea Port offers a relaxed and inviting promenade lined with lovely palm trees. Here, you’ll find many shops, restaurants, and tapas bars with views of the sea. It’s a lovely path to stroll along and have some of the prettiest views of the Mediterranean coast.
There are many restaurants and bars which line the promenade. I recommend looking out for a spot that grabs your attention while you walk.
Javea Port Beaches
The Javea port is home to a few of the Javea beaches, which I’ve listed below.
La Grava Beach
The Javea Port is home to Playa de La Grava, also known as Jávea Port Beach. It is a pebble beach, so make sure to bring some protective footwear and opt for a deckchair over a towel!
It’s a calm beach with a low tide throughout the year. The beach is nowhere near as popular as the Arenal beach due to the pebbles, so it is a preferred location for those who want a bit more quiet time. The beach is more popular in the summertime with the influx of tourists visiting the area, so do take note.
It is swimmable all year around, depending on the weather and how brave you are to swim in the cold! During the summer months (June to August), the water temperature typically ranges from 22°C to 26°C (71.6°F to 78.8°F). All the way up to late September and early October, I’d say you could still swim comfortably on a sunny day.
It’s generally not a hub for water sports, paddle surfing is a popular activity here.
Playa Del Tango
Beyond the port harbour, at the base of Cape San Antonio, you’ll discover the small beach named Playa del Pope or otherwise know as Playa del Tangó. Back in the day, the more adventurous locals visit the Tango beach as it was known as a rock jumping spot before being officially closed off in 2014. The closure was due to safety concerns and injuries.
Although the beach itself is no longer accessible, Bar Tango still exists and offers a scenic view of the surrounding area.
Church Iglesia de Nuestra Virgen de Loreto
The landmark of the Port area is the church ‘Iglesia de Nuestra Virgen de Loreto‘, with a roof that imitates the hull of a ship. Legend has it that the church was founded by Christian Visigoth monks who discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary on the shores of Javea. This event led to the establishment of the church.
You can visit inside during the daytime.
Javea Marina
Located at the north end of the promenade, Javea’s marina functions as a fishing port. The fishing fleet arrives back in port at least once a day. There’s a market which opens to sell the fresh produce caught by the local fishermen.
The marina is well worth the visit to buy some fresh fish, and also to see the local fisherman boats docked at the moor as well as yachts and boats. You can buy fish at the Posit de Xabia.
You can also buy a ticket to visit Denia by ferry (buy ticket from Get your Guide), which is an absolute must-do and a brilliant day out. You’ll get to see the Cape De San Antonio which is stunning. You can collect tickets in person at the booth in the marina.
You can also rent a boat for the day to visit some of the hidden spots of Javea.
Javea Port Restaurants
If you love fresh seafood as much as I do, you will appreciate the excellent restaurants in the area which locally source their fish from the marina. There are lovely places to dine, which I’ve listed a few below.
Restaurant Sotavent
Restaurante Sotavent is a charming restaurant with a large, outdoor terrace, right next to the Javea cinema.
I recommend visiting with friends and ordering a number of small plates to sample all of the amazing food.
My favourites include their ham croquettes, Padron peppers, fried calamari, and Galician-style octopus. If you like traditional Spanish food, Sotavent should be high on your list to visit
Restaurant Pòsit
I love Restaurant Pòsit, as its located right next to the Playa De La Grava and offers the most beautiful views while eating locally sourced fish from the local marina and drinking wine. There’s nothing quite like it!
Posit offers some of the freshest seafood dishes in the area, such as salted sea bass, bacalao, and mussels.
Personally, I’m a fan of their fish paellas as it’s perfect for a large group such as family or a group of friends.
Personal restaurant & bar recommendations to visit in the Port
If you’re curious about the other places to eat, I’ve written up a guide to restaurants in Javea. If you’re looking for something even more special, there are some well-rated Michelin restaurants in Javea I’ve also written up about.
One of my favourite spots to have a morning coffee and tostada is Cala Bandida. It’s got the most rustic, aesthetic interiors of all the restaurants in the port (in my opinion) which creates a lovely atmosphere. There are tables overlooking the beautiful Playa De La Grava, and the boats leaving the marina. In the mornings, it’s relatively quiet. A truly lovely place to bring a friend and have some breakfast.
Bar Tal Cual is another one of my favourite spots which I visit often with my friends to have drinks in the late afternoon. With each beer or wine you buy, it’ll come with a homemade, delicious tapa from their menu.
They’ll ask you which tapa you prefer from their selection, and you can try a new one with each drink you order.
They also do some mean cocktail fishbowl! Be warned, if you’re visiting from the UK or the US, you’ll likely be overwhelmed by Spanish alcoholic spirit measures, so do pace yourself.
Javea Port Market
Don’t miss the weekly Artisan Market at Javea Port, held every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 until 14:00.
Javea Cinema
The port is home to the main Javea cinema called Cine Jayan which shows blockbuster movies in English (with Spanish subtitles) on certain nights of the week. Tickets are cheap and start from 6 euros per person.
Cine Jayan is located near near Plaza Adolfo Suarez, on Ctra Santísimo Cristo del Mar.
Javea Port Fiestas
Javea Port is home to various Javea fiestas and festivals throughout the year, including the spectacular Moors and Christians parade in July, the Saint Mare de Deu de Loreto celebrations, and the Javea International festival.
Upcoming Port festivals include:
Mare de Déu de Loreto
Date: End of August 2024 – beginning of September 2024 (dates TBC)
Location: Javea Port
Mare de Déu de Loreto is a two-week-long festival is a celebration in honour of the patron saint of the sea held every year in Javea, Spain. There will be parades, bull-running, discomobils and even more throughout the weeks.
Check the official Javea Fiesta Calendar for specific dates and detailed schedules.
Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day)
Date: January 2025
Location: Javea Port
This is the day when Spanish children receive their Christmas presents, in acknowledgment of the gifts given to the baby Jesus by the wise men. There will be a huge parade around the Old Town and Port. Expect there to be traditional music, nativity plays and fireworks throughout the course of ther day.
Practical Information
Tourist Information Center
There is a Tourist Information Center located on Pl. Adolfo Suarez, offering guidance in English on where to go, brochures and maps.
Parking in Javea Port
Parking in the centre of the port can be quite challenging in the summer season due to larger numbers of people visiting and staying in the area. I’ve added pins of all of the free parking areas in and around the port below.
