Jávea is so beautiful that most people never feel the urge to leave — and honestly, who could blame them? But the truth is, this little corner of the Costa Blanca sits in an extraordinarily privileged position. Within a two-hour drive you have dramatic mountain villages, world-class cities, flamingo lagoons, and some of the most jaw-dropping coastline in all of Europe. After ten years living here, I still find myself surprised by how much there is to discover just beyond Jávea's borders.
If you're staying in a holiday rental in Jávea and wondering where to explore on your day off from the beach, this guide has everything you need.
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Find rentals →1. Montgó Natural Park (10 minutes from Jávea)
Okay, technically this is on Jávea's doorstep rather than a proper day trip — but it deserves its own mention because so many visitors overlook it entirely. The Montgó massif looms over the town at 753 metres and the views from the summit are genuinely staggering: you can see the Balearic Islands on clear days, look down into Dénia to the north and Jávea's port to the south. The main trail from the Car Park at Camí dels Castellans takes about 3–4 hours return. Go early in June — by 10am it's already warm.
Practical tip: Take at least 2 litres of water per person. There is zero shade on the upper section.
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2. Guadalest: The Mountain Village That'll Stop You in Your Tracks (1 hour)
Guadalest is probably the most-visited inland village on the Costa Blanca, and there's a very good reason for that. It sits on top of a sheer rock pinnacle above a turquoise reservoir, and the approach road winds through dramatic gorges and almond groves. Yes, it gets busy in summer — aim for before 10am or after 4pm on weekdays to avoid the coach groups. The castle ruins and the views over Embalse de Guadalest are worth every minute of the drive.
Pair it with a stop in Benimantell or Callosa d'en Sarrià (famous for nísperos, loquat fruit) on the way back for a proper inland Spain experience.
Drive time: 55 minutes via the CV-70 through Benidorm (yes, you'll drive through Benidorm — it's fine, just don't stop).
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3. Alicante City (1 hour 10 minutes)
Alicante is criminally underrated as a city break. The castle of Santa Bárbara sits right above the city and is free to enter; the views from up top over the harbour and the white city below are as good as anything in Spain. The Explanada de España promenade is lined with palm trees and mosaic pavement, and the tapas scene around the Mercado Central is excellent. I'd recommend Taberna Ibérica near the market for a long lunch.
For June, the beach at Postiguet is surprisingly uncrowded on weekdays, just a five-minute walk from the centre. Come by train from Denia — the TRAM line runs along the coast and it's genuinely one of the most scenic train journeys in Spain (€5-6 each way from Dénia station, which is 30 minutes from Jávea by car/taxi).
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4. Peñíscola: The Medieval Walled City by the Sea (1 hour 30 minutes)
If you haven't been to Peñíscola, put it on the list immediately. This fortified medieval town juts out into the sea on a rocky promontory, topped by a Templar castle (later used by the antipope Benedict XIII, which gives it a wonderfully obscure historical backstory). The old town inside the walls is tiny but perfectly preserved — white houses, narrow lanes, sea views in every direction.
The beaches either side of the promontory are long sandy stretches and in June the water is warm enough for a proper swim. It's a 90-minute drive north on the AP-7, and absolutely worth it for a full day out.
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5. El Parque Natural de las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja (1 hour 20 minutes)
Two enormous pink lagoons south of Alicante — yes, actually pink, thanks to the algae and brine shrimp — with flocks of flamingos wading through the shallows. It's one of those sights that doesn't look real. The saltworks at Torrevieja have been operating since Roman times and the salt-lake micro-climate is said to be therapeutic. There's a pleasant walking trail around the perimeter of Laguna de La Mata with good birdwatching throughout. Go in the morning for the best light and the most flamingo activity.
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6. Gandia and the Borgia Palace (45 minutes north)
Gandia is best known for its wide sandy beach — one of the best on the Costa Blanca — but the old town has a surprisingly impressive secret: the Palau Ducal dels Borja (Palace of the Borgias), the ancestral home of the notorious Borgia family. The interior is sumptuous, with stunning azulejo tile work, and entry is inexpensive. After the tour, head down to the beach for lunch at one of the chiringuitos along Paseo Marítimo Neptú — arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock) is the local speciality and several restaurants here do it beautifully.
Drive time from Jávea: 45 minutes north on the CV-736 via Dénia.
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7. Xàtiva: Castle, History & the Best Horchata in Valencia (1 hour)
Xàtiva (pronounced SHA-tiva) is an inland town that deserves far more attention than it gets. The castle complex — actually two castles joined together along a hilltop ridge — is enormous and in remarkable condition, with sweeping views over the Valencia plain. The town itself has beautiful medieval streets, several Romanesque and Gothic churches, and a market square lined with old stone arcades.
Don't leave without stopping at one of the horchaterías near the market for a cold orxata (horchata) and a few fartons (soft sweet pastries for dipping). It sounds like a lot to fit in, but Xàtiva's old town is compact and very walkable.
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8. Valencia City: A Full Day Trip Worth Every Kilometre (1 hour 40 minutes)
Valencia is magnificent and June is one of the better months to visit — the City of Arts and Sciences is busy but manageable, the Mercado Central is at its spectacular best, and the beach at La Malvarrosa is just a tram ride from the centre. The old town around the Catedral and the Barrio del Carmen has excellent restaurant streets — Carrer de la Mar and Plaça del Tossal are good hunting grounds for lunch.
Start early, be at the Mercado Central by 9am for breakfast at one of the bars inside (café con leche and a fresh pastry for €2), then do the City of Arts and Sciences in the late morning before the heat peaks. It's a long day but it's genuinely one of the great European cities.
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Practical Tips for Day Trips from Jávea
- Car hire is by far the easiest option. Most day trips are on excellent motorways. The AP-7 toll road is faster but adds costs — the N-332 is free and scenic.
- June is ideal for day trips: the heat isn't quite at its July/August peak, parking is easier, and popular sites are busy but not overwhelming.
- Fuel up in Jávea before heading out — petrol is slightly cheaper in town than at motorway stations.
- Book restaurants in advance for Guadalest and Alicante on summer weekends — things fill up.
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Based in the right holiday rental in Jávea, you're perfectly placed for all of these excursions. Browse our available properties and book direct — you'll save up to 18% compared to booking through Airbnb or Booking.com, with the same flexibility and personal service. We've been arranging stays in Jávea for years, and we can help you make the most of every single day.
