What to see in Xàbia

Xàbia (Jávea in Spanish) is one of those Costa Blanca towns that catches you off guard: a golden-stone old town set inland, a working fishing port and turquoise coves tucked between cliffs. It sits about 100 km south of València, already in the province of Alicante, and pairs Mediterranean atmosphere with heritage most beach towns don't have.

The main monument is the fortress-church of San Bartolomé, a 16th-century Gothic mass with battlements, arrow slits and a watchtower that served as a refuge against raids by Barbary pirates. It is built entirely from local tosca stone, the same stone that colours the whole old town, a maze of lanes like Carrer Estret where it's easy to lose your bearings. For nature, Cala de la Granadella is considered one of the best beaches in Spain, and the drop from the Cap de Sant Antoni viewpoint down to the sea is dizzying.

From València it's a little under ninety minutes by car along the AP-7, or there's a direct bus (companies such as ALSA run the route). There's no train to Xàbia, so a car is the most convenient way to move between the town, the port and the Arenal.

Local tip: head to the Granadella early in summer, as parking fills up fast and access is regulated. If you liked this kind of town, carry on to Guadalest or return along the coast; find more ideas in our guide to day trips from València and to pretty towns.