Moraira

Moraira is located around 20 minutes south of Javea and once was a small fishing village which has grown over the years to become a quaint town that still retains its village feel. The town has a pretty marina with its luxury boats. The small streets heading in to the centre of town where you will find the church square with a selection of bars and restaurants. In the town there is the Playa L'Ampolla that is a sandy beach which boasts soft sand and a gentle slope out in to the water.

 

As well as the beach in town there is the El Portet beach which is extremely picturesque, a true Mediterranean gem. There are luxury villas perched on the waters edge and a gentle slope in to the sea. Along the coast road towards Calpe you will find lots of small coves that are great for snorkelling and scuba diving.

 

Moraira has a mix of nationalities with a large British population, Dutch, French, German and Russians also love this area, enjoying what a fantastic location it is on the Mediterranean. The town is relatively small, there a few apartment blocks, although most of the accommodation is villas in the hills surrounding the town and many with sea views. There are a few urbanisations that have townhouses with communal pools that offer buying a piece of Moraira at a more affordable price. Moraira is a peaceful winter get away that comes alive in the summer with visitors enjoying its narrow streets full of boutique shops and quality restaurants. It is an upmarket resort favoured by couples, families and retirees.

 

Like all Spanish coastal towns Moraira has its fair share of fiestas and the Moors and Christians parade is one of the best along the coast. During the Moors and Christians parade there is the well supported Moraira Music festival where you can enjoy an evening of live music on a large stage free for everyone to enjoy.

 

There is a large weekly market on a Friday morning where you can buy fresh fruit and veg, as well many other stalls selling leather, clothes, kitchen wear, towels and bed linen.

 

Moraira is the perfect town for peaceful all year living or a holiday home to enjoy throughout the year.

 

Denia

Denia is around 20 minutes north of Javea, it is a bustling town with lots of Spanish residents. The town has many shops on its beautiful tree lined high street (Calle Marqués de Campo) that offers shade in the summer. A recent addition to Denia has been the building of a stunning marina with high- end restaurants overlooking some fantastic boats and yachts. There is a ferry terminal at Denia where you can board a ferry to Ibiza and the Balearic islands. A local ferry will take you from Denia to Javea, which is a pleasant journey of about 1 hour each way.

 

The Northern side of Denia boasts the long sandy beach known as Playa de Les Marines. Miles of sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see which is where most holiday homes are situated, it is a great place for kite and windsurfing.

 

There is medieval castle that is an interesting visit, but best explored during the cooler months. Like every town along the Spanish coast there is always something going on in Denia, one of the main events is the Fallas fiesta. This is a fiesta celebrated in the Valencian region where huge effigies are built as high as 3 stories and then burnt to the ground on the day of the Fallas (19th March). A spectacular sight and quite shocking the first time you see it.

 

In Denia throughout the year you will often find some sort of event from an artisan market, a paella competition and other parades or fiestas being held on the Calle Marqués de Campo. Although during the siesta time in the summer it tends to get a little quieter. Being a traditional Spanish town shops close during the hot summer afternoons and the buzzing streets fall in to a quiet calm. When the sun goes down the locals and visitors start to emerge in to the cool streets to enjoy one of the many bars and restaurants.

 

Denia is an all year round town and is mainly a permanent home location with lots of Spanish residents as well as British and other European nationalities. 

 

Benitachell

Benitachell is a town slightly inland from Javea and Moraira. It is a town with narrow streets and lots of traditional townhouses. There is an indoor market and several bars and restaurants as well as two large supermarkets on its outskirts.

 

The Cumbre Del Sol urbanisation with its hill top developments with terrific sea views comes under the town council of Benitachell. The Lady Elizabeth international school is located in this urbanisation. See Schools

 

In the surrounding countryside you will find Les Fonts and Los Molinos urbanisations which are made up of villas favoured by expats wanting to be near Javea and Moraira but away from the hustle and bustle. These urbanisations have long standing communities and a great place for all year round living.

 

Benitachell also has a bowls club that is a big part of the expat retired community and as well as playing bowls has a good social scene.

 

Like every town in this region Benitachell has its annual fiestas, which take place at the end of July. There are also various other events taking place throughout the year.

 

The residents of Benitchell are mainly permanent and it makes a great place to relocate if you are looking for a Spanish feel- yet only 10 minutes drive from the coastal towns of Javea and Moraira. The property prices are slightly cheaper making it a good option for those on a smaller budget.

 

Jalon Valley

The Jalon valley famous for its wine production, is a scenic countryside area that is around 30 minutes drive from the coastal towns of Javea, Moraira and Calpe. The valley has several towns each offering their own unique Spanish feel.

 

The main town is Jalon with its narrow streets and traditional townhouses, over recent years new modern apartment blocks have been built and on the outskirts of town, villas and modern townhouses have also added. There is a wide selection of bars and restaurants as well as supermarkets and a weekly market on a Saturday.

 

In Jalon there is also a large Bodega where you can see the history of wine making and sample and buy the local Jalon wine. You can fill a bottle straight from the barrel and leave with several litres of wine.

 

Other villages are Alcalali, Lliber and Parcent which all have all year-round communities with local events and fiestas at different times of the year.

 

Overlooking the Jalon Valley is the famous Col De Rates mountain which many a brave cyclist attempts to climb. There is also an annual care rally held at the mountain. There is a road to the top of the mountain where you will find a stone map of the area and you can the sea for miles- picking out the landmarks, beaches and towns along the coast.

 

Around the Jalon valley there are many walks and it is especially picturesque during the almond blossom season in March. The valley is a sea of pink blossom and a great day out on one of the many sign posted walks and hikes.

 

This is an ideal place to live for those seeking a country property with land and a more relaxed way of life.

 

Benidorm

Benidorm is around 40 minutes drive from Javea towards Alicante. When travelling to Javea from the airport you will see its high- rise buildings on the coast. Benidorm is a lively resort that is mainly made up of hotels offering UK expats package holidays. It is not always loved by all, but it is still worth a visit just to see whether you love it or hate it!

 

Benidorm is busy all year round and has 100’s of bars and restaurants offering cheap food and drink, there are many all- inclusive hotels that offer great value stays. Many Javea residents will go for a weekend to sample the nightlife that the bars put on for free. This entertainment ranges from comedians to tribute acts, drag queens and karaoke.

 

Benidorm Palace is a venue that offers a spectacular show including dancing and cabaret acts. You can buy tickets just for the show or they offer a dinner and show ticket to make a whole night of it. It is more refined than perhaps some of the other shows in Benidorm and is definitely a place to visit if you are living or holidaying in the area.

 

In Benidorm there are several theme parks, Terra Mitica with its rollercoasters, Terra Natura is a zoo, Mundomar, an aquatic animal park and Aqualandia, a water park with lots of water slides.

 

Benidorm also has a large shopping centre with an El Corte Ingles outlet store, a carrefour and many more shops.

 

Alicante

Alicante is a city about 100km south of Javea, most people will fly in to Alicante airport and get straight on the motorway to their holiday home or hotel missing the delights of this wonderful city.

 

You can take in the history and get fantastic views of the city at the Castle of Santa Bárbara which overlooks the city. Some of the castle dates back to the 16th century and later parts where built in the 18th century.

 

Alicante has a large port and marina where many cruise ships stop for their passengers to explore the city on foot. There is a great history of the area to be found in the museums, such as the Fogueres Festival Museum- all about the fiestas in the region, the bullfighting museum, Contemporary Art Museum and the Lucentum Archaelogical Site are just a few of the cultural places to visit.

 

The shopping district of Alicante provides many shops including the famous Spanish department store El Corte Ingles offering a wide selection of goods from furniture to clothes and electrical items. The best time to visit is during the sales in January and July to pick up some great bargains.

 

If you love shopping, then on the motorway just outside Alicante there are several outlet shops. In the direction of Elche you will find the La Ruta outlet, where all the big Spanish shoe manufactures have discount shops. At the motorway junction for the Alicante University you will also find an outlet shopping park with El Corte Ingles, Camper, Sketchers, Nike and many more.

 

With over 1000 restaurants there is something to eat for every taste, from fine dining to burgers you won’t be disappointed with Alicante’s culinary offerings.

 

Whether it’s a day trip to do a little shopping or a weekend break to take in more of the city then Alicante is a great place to visit if you are living here or holidaying in the area.

 

Valencia

Valencia is around 100km north of Javea and an extremely historical city with some magnificent architecture, many of the buildings have huge statues and sculptures on their roofs, it’s a city where you need to keep looking up, while avoiding other pedestrians.

 

The city has several areas and most can be enjoyed on foot, either by taking the standard pavement routes or by using the beautiful dry river bed that has been made in to a park area since the river was diverted after terrible floods to the city in 1957.

 

The old town where there are lots of bars and restaurants around the cathedral is where the tourists tend to visit. These establishments are tourist traps and can offer expensive drinks. In May there is a fabulous fiesta of the Corpes Cristo that is a must visit with a parade of dancers and horses.

 

The cathedral is a cool haven with its spectacular artefacts and ornate gold statues. It is said that the Holy Grail is held here, but many dispute this claim as the gold chalice that is on display claiming to be the Holy Grail is far to precious to of actually been the true Holy Grail. It’s worth going to see though just so you can say you’ve seen “The Holy Grail”.

 

Valencia’s famed Fallas fiestas is a true spectacle where huge effigies are burnt and there is fantastic firework and light displays. This takes place on March 19th and the effigies are on display the week before. You must book well in advance if you are looking for accommodation as hordes of revellers descend on the city.

 

The shopping district of Colon provides a huge selection of shops from high street chains to boutique designer stores.

 

Recent additions to the city have been the arts and science park and aquarium with their modern architectural structures.

 

There is so much to see and do in this vibrant city you will definitely need a few days to explore and if you live in the area, you will want to keep returning to enjoy it’s great atmosphere and sights.