If you're planning a holiday to the Costa Blanca and wondering which town has the most varied and genuinely beautiful coastline, let me save you the research: Jávea (Xàbia) beaches are in a league of their own. I've been living here for a decade, and I still get that little flutter of excitement driving down to the seafront in the morning. Three completely different bays, dramatic capes, hidden coves, Blue Flag awards, crystal water that actually deserves the Instagram filter — this place has it all.
May is honestly one of the best months to discover Jávea's beaches. The Mediterranean is warming up (around 20°C), the summer crowds haven't arrived yet, parking is a breeze, and the light in the late afternoon is extraordinary. Here's everything you need to know, beach by beach.
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Find rentals →Playa del Arenal: The Classic Family Beach in Jávea
If Jávea had a postcard, it would be Arenal. This is the main sandy beach — proper golden sand, about 800 metres long — tucked into a sheltered bay between the old fishing port and the Cabo de San Antonio headland. The water is shallow and calm, which makes it the best beach in Jávea for families with young children. There are sun loungers and parasols for hire, a line of chiringuitos and restaurants right on the paseo, and a sailing club if you want to get out on the water.
In May, you can actually get a table at El Rodat or any of the terrace restaurants on the Paseo del Arenal without a two-hour wait. Come June, that luxury disappears fast. Parking around Arenal is paid in summer — arrive before 10am or use the car park near the port, which is slightly cheaper.
Best for: Families, first-timers, evening strolls, seafood dinner with a view.
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La Granadella: Jávea's Hidden Gem (Worth Every Hairpin)
About 8 kilometres south of the town centre, tucked beneath the Cabo de la Nao cape, La Granadella is the cove that makes visitors gasp. The road down is genuinely terrifying — narrow, hairpin bends, nothing on the side — but the reward is a tiny pebble-and-rock cove with water so clear you can see the seagrass beds 6 metres below. It's protected on all sides, so even on windy days it tends to be calm.
There's a small restaurant serving fresh fish (the grilled sea bass is excellent), toilets, and a few sun beds, but La Granadella never feels like a theme park. You park at the top of the hill and walk down — about a 10-minute descent. In May, you'll find it pleasantly quiet. In August, arrive before 9am or you won't get a parking spot, full stop.
I bring every single visitor who comes to stay here. Without exception, they say it's the most beautiful cove they've ever seen in Spain.
Best for: Snorkelling, couples, photographers, anyone who wants to feel like they've discovered something secret.
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Playa La Barraca & Cala Blanca: The Rocky Coves of the Arenal Zone
Just north of Arenal, past the sailing club, the coast turns rocky and the coves get smaller and more intimate. La Barraca is a short walk or cycle from the main beach and attracts a mix of local families and snorkellers. The rocks are excellent for spotting octopus, sea urchins, and the occasional moray eel if you peer into the crevices. Cala Blanca, a little further along, is quieter still — bring your own water and snacks because there are no facilities here.
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Playa del Puerto (La Fontana): The Fishing Quarter Beach
Down near the old port, this small beach sits below the whitewashed fishing quarter — one of the most characterful neighbourhoods in Jávea. It's a working beach in the best sense: local boats, weathered nets, old men playing cards at the café. Not the place for sunbathing, but brilliant for an early-morning coffee walk and watching the fishing boats come in. The fish market here (Lonja) is worth visiting on a weekday morning if you're a food lover.
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El Portitxol & The Northern Coves
Head north past Arenal and you'll find a string of quieter rocky coves — El Portitxol, Cala del Portitxol, and the rocks around the Cabo de San Antonio nature reserve. These are brilliant for diving and snorkelling (the marine reserve around the cape is one of the best in the Comunitat Valenciana), and you can walk out along the coastal path with views back over Arenal that will make you consider moving here permanently. I speak from experience.
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Practical Tips for Jávea's Beaches in May
- Water temperature: Around 19–21°C in May — refreshing but absolutely swimmable, especially in La Granadella's sheltered water.
- Parking: Far easier in May than July/August. Most car parks are still free or run reduced hours.
- Crowds: Weekends bring Spanish day-trippers from Valencia and Alicante — if you want peace, go Monday to Thursday.
- Sunset: The west-facing Arenal catches a beautiful late light. La Granadella faces south, so it's glorious at midday.
- Facilities: Arenal is fully equipped year-round. La Granadella has a bar from Easter onwards. The smaller coves have nothing — pack accordingly.
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Where to Stay for the Best Beach Access in Jávea
To make the most of these beaches, you want a holiday rental in Jávea within walking or cycling distance of the Arenal, or with your own pool for the afternoons. Staying in a private villa or apartment rather than a hotel gives you the flexibility to come and go on your own schedule — pack a picnic for La Granadella, stay out for a sunset swim, eat when you feel like it.
At JV Properties, we specialise in direct-booking rentals in Jávea and the surrounding Costa Blanca — and booking directly with us saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com. That's a significant chunk of your holiday budget back in your pocket for extra meals at the chiringuito.
Browse our Jávea holiday rentals and find your perfect base for exploring the best beaches on the Costa Blanca.
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