Best Day Trips from Javea: Places to Visit Nearby

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If you’re staying in Javea and fancy venturing out to see what else the Costa Blanca has to offer, you’re in for a treat! Javea sits in an absolutely brilliant location – you’re perfectly positioned to reach stunning mountain villages, historic cities, and charming towns, with many destinations within an hour’s drive and some fantastic longer excursions just a bit further afield.

I’ve put together this guide to the best days out from Javea, covering everything from dramatic cliff-top villages to bustling markets and ancient castles. You’ll find options for every type of traveller – whether you want to soak up some history, try local wines, or simply enjoy different beaches and scenery.

Denia

Drive time from Javea: 15-20 minutes

Just a short drive north of Javea, Denia makes for a brilliant day out with plenty to keep you busy. This historic port town has been shaped by centuries of different rulers – from Romans to Moors to Christian reconquerors – and you can see traces of all these influences today.

What makes Denia special:

• The impressive Denia castle perched above the old town with fantastic views
• Ferry connections from Denia to Ibiza and Formentera if you fancy an island day trip
• Outstanding places to eat in Denia – Denia was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
• Beautiful beaches across Denia stretching for miles in both directions
• The charming old town with narrow streets perfect for wandering

Moraira

Drive time from Javea: 20-25 minutes

Moraira is known for its upmarket feel and sophisticated atmosphere, making it perfect for a refined day out. The town has managed to maintain its fishing village charm while offering some excellent restaurants and boutique shops.

The 18th-century watchtower (Castell de Moraira) sits right on the seafront and makes for great photos, while the small harbour still has working fishing boats alongside the pleasure craft. The beaches here are smaller and more intimate than Javea‘s, with crystal-clear water that’s perfect for snorkelling.

What makes Moraira special:

• Upscale restaurants and wine bars with sea views
• The historic Moraira castle right on the beach
• Several hidden coves accessible by short walks
• High-end boutique shopping along the main street
• Less crowded beaches with excellent water quality

My favourite time to visit:

Late afternoon when you can enjoy a long lunch at one of the seafront restaurants, then watch the sunset from the castle area.

Calpe

Drive time from Javea: 30-35 minutes

Calpe is dominated by the massive Peñón de Ifach – a 332-metre limestone rock that juts dramatically out of the sea. It’s one of the most photographed landmarks on the Costa Blanca, and for good reason!

The rock is actually a nature reserve, and you can hike to the top for incredible views (though it’s quite challenging). Even if you don’t fancy the climb, just seeing it from the town is impressive. Calpe also has some excellent beaches and a lovely old town area that’s perfect for wandering around.

What makes Calpe special:

• The iconic Peñón de Ifach rock formation and nature reserve is an amazing Calpe viewpoint
• Excellent hiking in Calpe with panoramic views from the summit
• Beautiful beaches on both sides of the rock
• Fresh seafood restaurants near the fishing port
• The old town with traditional Spanish architecture

Altea

Drive time from Javea: 45-50 minutes

Altea is absolutely stunning – it’s one of those white-washed hilltop towns that looks like it’s straight out of a postcard. The old town is perched on a hill overlooking the sea, with narrow cobbled streets leading up to the famous blue-domed church that you can spot from miles away.

This is very much an artists’ town, with galleries, craft shops, and studios tucked into the old buildings. The atmosphere is relaxed and bohemian, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll and long lunch.

What makes Altea special:

• The iconic blue and white tiled church dome
• Winding streets filled with art galleries and craft shops
• Fantastic restaurants with sea views from the hilltop
• A long pebble beach perfect for evening strolls
• Regular live music and street performances

The best approach is to park near the beach and walk up through the old town – the climb is worth it for the views from the top, and you can always stop at one of the many cafés along the way.

Guadalest

Drive time from Javea: 1 hour 10 minutes

Guadalest is one of those places that doesn’t quite seem real when you first see it. This tiny mountain village is built into the rock face itself, with a castle perched impossibly high above a turquoise reservoir. It’s been declared one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, and once you see it, you’ll understand why.

The village is tiny – you can walk around it in about 30 minutes – but it’s packed with interesting little museums, craft shops, and viewpoints. The drive there is spectacular too, winding up through the mountains with increasingly dramatic views. What makes Guadalest special:

• The castle built directly into the rock face
• Incredible views over the turquoise Guadalest reservoir
• Quirky museums including a micro-miniatures museum
• Traditional craft shops selling local products
• One of the most photographed villages in Spain

My top tip: Go early in the day if possible – Guadalest gets very busy with tour buses, especially in summer. The early morning light is also perfect for photos of the castle and reservoir.

Alicante

Drive time from Javea: 1 hour 15 minutes

Alicante is Costa Blanca’s main city with all the excitement that brings – great shopping, excellent restaurants, historic sites, and a real buzz about the place. The highlight is definitely the Santa Bárbara Castle, perched high above the city with fantastic views over the Mediterranean.

The old town is perfect for wandering, with its narrow streets and traditional houses decorated with flowers. The Explanada de España, lined with palm trees and paved with marble tiles, is one of the most elegant promenades in Spain.

What makes Alicante special:

• Alicante’s Santa Bárbara castle with panoramic city and sea views
• The elegant Explanada de España promenade
• Excellent shopping in the city centre
• Outstanding restaurants and nightlife
• Regular cultural events and festivals

My favourite time to visit:

Late afternoon when you can visit the castle in cooler temperatures, then enjoy dinner and drinks in the old town as the evening comes alive.

Valencia

Drive time from Javea: 1 hour 30 minutes

Valencia makes for a brilliant full day out – it’s Spain’s third-largest city and has an incredible mix of historic and ultra-modern attractions. The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences is absolutely mind-blowing, while the old town has beautiful Gothic and Baroque architecture.

And of course, this is where paella was invented, so you absolutely must try the authentic version while you’re there! The Central Market is one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful markets, housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building.

What makes Valencia special:

• The spectacular City of Arts and Sciences complex
• Authentic paella in its city of origin
• Beautiful beaches right in the city
• The stunning Central Market and old town
• Excellent museums and cultural attractions

Benidorm

Drive time from Javea: 1 hour

I know what you’re thinking – Benidorm isn’t exactly a hidden gem of a town, but it’s actually worth a visit, especially if you’re travelling with family. Beyond the reputation for its nightlife and high-rise hotels, there’s a charming old town, beautiful beaches, and some fantastic theme parks and zoos nearby, giving you plenty to do when you’re making a day trip from Javea.

The old town around the church is surprisingly quaint, with narrow streets and traditional tapas bars. The two main beaches are excellent, and the views from the Mirador del Castillo are stunning.

What makes Benidorm special:

• Theme parks including Terra Mitica and Aqualandia
• Benidorm’s incredible Terra Natura Zoo
• Surprisingly charming old town area – don’t miss Benidorm’s tapas alley
• The best of Benidorm nightlife and entertainment
• Shop till you drop in La Marina shopping centre

If you’re visiting with children, the theme parks are absolutely brilliant – Terra Mitica is one of Spain’s best, with rides themed around ancient Mediterranean civilisations.

Villajoyosa

Drive time from Javea: 1 hour 10 minutes

Villajoyosa (the “Joyful Village”) is famous for its row of brightly coloured houses right on the seafront – they’re absolutely beautiful and make for fantastic photos. The story goes that fishermen painted their houses in bright colours so they could spot them from the sea.

There’s also a chocolate museum here (Valor Chocolate Museum) which is brilliant fun, especially if you’re travelling with children. The town has managed to keep its authentic Spanish character while still being tourist-friendly.

What makes Villajoyosa special:

• The famous colourful houses along the seafront
• Valor Chocolate Museum with tastings
• Excellent beaches with golden sand
• Traditional fishing port atmosphere
• Less crowded than neighbouring resorts

The chocolate factory tours include tastings, and you can buy some excellent Spanish chocolate to take home as gifts.

Gandia

Drive time from Javea: 1 hour

Gandia is actually two places in one – the historic inland town and the modern beach resort of Gandia Playa. The historic centre is home to the impressive Borja Palace, once owned by the infamous Borgia family (yes, those Borgias!).

The beach area has a completely different feel, with a long sandy beach and plenty of restaurants and bars. It’s popular with Spanish families, which gives it a more authentic feel than some of the more touristy resorts.

What makes Gandia special:

• The historic Borja Palace with Borgia family connections
• Long sandy beach popular with Spanish families
• Excellent local restaurants serving authentic paella
• Good mix of history and beach relaxation

The palace tours are fascinating – you’ll learn about one of Europe’s most notorious families and see some beautiful Renaissance architecture.

With so many brilliant options within easy reach of Javea, you could spend weeks exploring and still not see everything. My advice is to pick two or three places that really appeal to you rather than trying to rush around everywhere – that way you can really soak up the atmosphere and enjoy what each place has to offer.