Javea

Reflecting the tranquil ambience of Valencia coupled with the sun-and-fun atmosphere of Spain's popular Costa Blanca coast, Javea is a pretty holiday resort town set between the capes of San Antonio and La Nao, about 50 miles (80km) northeast of Alicante. Fronted by the bright blue Mediterranean Sea, and backed by the conical Mount Montgo, the narrow streets of the historic town centre are filled with wrought iron balconies and stone porticoes, while the surrounding developments have been carefully controlled to ensure no high-rise modern concrete buildings impose on the serenity of the landscape.The old town is situated a mile or so inland because its inhabitants feared the incursions of pirates in days of yore. The waterfront of Javea centres around the working fishing port of Aduanas de Mar and the adjacent busy marina. The promenade is lined with good seafood restaurants, boutiques and pavement cafes. The most popular beach, Arenal, is a long, sandy stretch with safe bathing, and it is just one of the many sandy bays and coves to be enjoyed along the coastline.Several times a year Javea lets its hair down with a lively fiesta. The best known, and most enjoyed by visitors, is the 'Moors and Christians' celebration, when locals re-enact the Moorish landings on the coast and the recapture of the peninsula by Christian defenders. During the second half of July the town is enveloped in an orgy of feasting, street parades, dancing, music and fireworks.