If you're planning a beach holiday on the Costa Blanca, the beaches in Jávea deserve a spot at the very top of your list. After ten years of living here, I still find myself genuinely surprised by how much variety is packed into this one small stretch of coastline — dramatic rocky coves, a long sandy arc popular with families, and wild cape beaches that feel utterly untouched. Whether you're after sunbeds and chiringuitos or a quiet swim in crystal-clear water with nothing but pine trees for company, Jávea delivers.
Here's my honest, local guide to every major beach and cala worth knowing about.
Playa del Arenal: Jávea's Main Beach
Let's start with the obvious one. Playa del Arenal is Jávea's most famous beach — a wide, curved bay of golden sand about 1.2km long, flanked by the paseo marítimo promenade and backed by a row of restaurants, beach bars and ice cream shops. It's the kind of beach where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas (expect to pay around €10–12 for a set), grab a cold beer from Bar Restaurante La Marina, and let the kids splash about in the calm, shallow water.
JV Properties
Looking for accommodation in Javea?
Book direct with JV Properties and save up to 18% vs Airbnb. No commissions, personal service.
Find rentals →In June, Arenal is busy but not yet overwhelming — that changes in late July and August. My tip? Go before 10am or after 6pm when the light turns golden and half the crowd has gone for dinner. Parking is free along Avenida del Mediterráneo before the paid zone starts, but arrive early. The nearest Blue Flag beach to the port area, Arenal is the benchmark against which Jávea's other beaches are measured — and some of them beat it easily.
Playa La Grava: The Fishing Harbour Beach
Just a short walk from Arenal, La Grava is a pebble and rock beach right next to Jávea's working fishing harbour. It lacks the sand and facilities of Arenal, but it has bags of character. The water here is exceptionally clear — the rocky seabed means less sediment — and it's popular with snorkellers. There's a pleasant chiringuito serving fresh fish, and you can watch the fishing boats come in while you eat. It's never as crowded as Arenal and has a much more local feel. Bring water shoes.
Cap de la Nau: Wild Cape Beaches
Drive south from Jávea through the pine-covered hills toward Cabo de la Nao (Cap de la Nau) and you'll find a handful of small calas that are among the most beautiful on the entire Costa Blanca. These are not sandy beaches — they're rocky coves reached via short footpaths — but the water is an absurd shade of turquoise and, outside of August, you'll often have them almost to yourself.
Cala Blanca is a personal favourite: a small pebble cove with a chiringuito that serves decent paella and cold Estrella. The snorkelling here is brilliant — there are sea urchins, octopus, and shoals of parrotfish if you're patient. Cala del Portitxol is deeper into the cape, quieter, and completely wild — no facilities at all, so pack everything you need. The cliffs here are dramatic and make for excellent photos at sunset.
Important note: Parking near the cap beaches gets very tight from late June onwards. If you're driving, aim to arrive before 11am. Several of these calas are also accessible by kayak from the port area — a far more relaxing way to arrive.
Playa de la Barraca & La Granadella (Nearby)
Strictly speaking, La Granadella sits just inside the municipality of Benitachell rather than Jávea itself — but it's a 15-minute drive and absolutely worth including. This is repeatedly voted one of the best beaches in the Valencian Community, and the accolades are deserved. A deep, sheltered cove with jaw-dropping turquoise water, surrounded by pine cliffs. There's a car park (paid in summer, about €5/day), a restaurant up top, and a seasonal beach bar below. The only downside: in August it's absolutely rammed. June is the perfect month to visit.
Playa del Trampolí
Tucked just south of Arenal, Trampolí is a quieter alternative that many visitors walk straight past. It's a narrow strip of sand and pebble at the foot of low cliffs, with calmer water than Arenal and a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. The small bar here is usually full of locals rather than tourists. There's limited parking nearby so many people walk from the port area or from their holiday rental in the zona marítima.
Practical Tips for Jávea's Beaches in June
- Water temperature: Around 22–24°C in June — genuinely warm and perfect for swimming all day.
- Jellyfish: Rare in June but possible after storms. Check the medusas app or ask locally.
- Blue Flags: Arenal holds a Blue Flag designation — good indicator of water quality and safety services.
- Best beach for families: Arenal, for the calm water, lifeguards, and nearby restaurants.
- Best beach for snorkelling: Cala Blanca or La Grava.
- Best beach for a romantic sunset: Portitxol or La Granadella.
- Quietest in June: Trampolí or La Grava.
Where to Stay for Easy Beach Access
For the best access to Jávea's beaches, staying in the Arenal or port (El Puerto) area is the obvious choice. Many of the holiday rentals in Jávea on our books are within a 10-minute walk of both Arenal and La Grava, and several have their own pool if the beach crowds get too much.
Booking direct through JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com — that's a significant chunk of money that's better spent on paella and boat trips. Browse Jávea properties here and check June availability while it lasts.
Jávea's beaches are the reason people come back year after year. Once you've swum in that water, you'll understand why.
