Javea old town, pueblo de Javea / Xabia

Property for sale in Javea / Xabia? There’s a reason why the old town of Javea is a 25-minute walk uphill from the sea.

For hundreds of years since the town of Javea was reconquered from Moorish rule in the 13th century, pirate attacks were common. The central church in Javea is officially known as the ‘Iglesia-fortaleza’ or fort-church and was a place of refuge from North African attacks.

The best known artifact ever found in Javea – a set of 3rd century BC golden bridal jewellery dug up in 1904 – is understood to have been an heirloom buried for safekeeping during a pirate attack. The same goes for the 54 solid gold Roman coins found by snorkelers off the coast in 2021.

But while narrow streets once helped keep Javea safe, the historic centre of Javea now bursts with potted plants, bars and restaurants, Air Bnbs, a daily market and small businesses.

Luckily for anyone visiting today, the old town of Javea has withstood the test of time – and its treasures are not just in the municipal museum.

Top 5 landmarks – The old town of Javea

Iglesia-Fortaleza de San Bartolomé – the main church in Javea dates back to 1304, just a few decades after the reconquest of the Valencian territory from Moorish rulers. The church was built primarily as a defence against pirate attacks. It’s tall spire was used for keeping watch and is easily spotted from across Javea.
Mercat Municipal de Xàbia – the municipal market is open everyday except Sunday, from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 10pm on Saturdays. You can find everything from fresh coffee, orange juice and breakfast to butchers, fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, cheese and artisan products and traditional sourdough flatbreads or ‘cocas’.
Museu arqueològic i etnològic Soler Blasco – Javea’s municipal museum is open everyday except Monday, usually from 10am to 1:30pm and on some days from 5 to 8pm too. You can find the ‘treasure of Javea’ as well the gold roman coins as told above, plus artefacts gathered from land and sea since the Iberian age through Roman, Muslim and Valencian rule.
Centre de Salut de Xàbia – Javea locals will know the old town of Javea for the Centre de Salut de Xàbia, where anyone on the Spanish healthcare system makes appointments and uses the emergency A&E service. While not so important for tourists it can help to know there’s a local health facility here.
Plaça del Convent – the Plaça del Convent is the most popular square in the old town of Javea, and is lined with bars and restaurants. Here is where the roads close for a weekly market on Thursdays, and for bull-running events during the festivals like the Fogueres de Sant Joan. There’s also the Plaza de la Constitución, which is up the road, and a larger square hosting events like Xàbia Jazz and flammable sculptures during Sant Joan.

Where is the old town of Javea?

The old town of Javea is located on a hill that starts on the northern bank of the Gorgos river.

The historic centre of Javea is a 25-minute walk from the port area of Javea and a 40-minute walk from the Arenal beachfront. You can reach it easily by car and there is always a spot to park in the underground parking area beneath the Plaza de la Constitución.

The main street for vehicles through the old town of Javea is one-way and runs from east to west. Most parking spaces on this street are for unloading only, the street is cobbled and any car traffic cannot travel fast.

Javea itself is a 1 hour 15 minutes drive from Alicante Airport and a 1 hour 25 minutes drive from Valencia Airport. It is a 45-minute drive north of Benidorm. The quickest route to Javea to along the AP-7 motorway and exiting either in Benissa when northbound and Denia when southbound.

Javea old town, pueblo de Javea / Xabia

Top 5 landmarks – The old town of Javea

Where is the old town of Javea?

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