Javea Port

Javea Port is a town in itself with its own beach, bars, restaurants and all the shops you'd expect to find in a small town. The cinema in Javea port regularly shows English version films, often with Spanish sub-titles. During summer months, there's also a roof-top cinema and drive-in movie theatre too.

Fishmarket

You can't get fish much fresher than Javea's Fishmarket which as well as supplying many of the areas restaurants and fishmongers also sell to the public in a little shop just outside the main auction house on the quay side.

Some fish are line caught but you'll also find other specialities here such as octopus (pulpa), squid and big red Denia prawns (gamba de Dénia) which are reputed to be the best in the world!

Don't worry too much if you miss the fish market as you'll also find fresh fish counters in the Mercandona supermarket and staff there are happy to clean, fillet and de-scale the fish for you (you'll have to scrub your own mussels though but they are delicious and very reasonable per kilo).

Esplanade

Although not as long as the Arenal promenade, Javea Port has a delightful palm-tree lined Esplandade next to the rocky beach. The many cafes, bars and restaurants offer outdoor seating which provides excellent views of the spectacular fireworks displays during the fiestas. All welcome children.

Church

One of the most unusual churches found anywhere on the Costa Blanca is in Javea Port. Close to the port itself, the La Virgin de Loreto resembles the bottom of the boat and is worth a visit.

Javea Fiestas

Javea port comes into its own during the fiestas, the most famous of which is the Moors and Christians which takes place in the middle of July.

The fiesta begins with boat loads of Moors arriving in the port, firing their guns and taking part in mock battles. It can be quite noisy if you're not expecting it but draws large crowds which party throughout the night!

At the height of the procession, you can see the work and attention to detail of the costumes worn by those taking part. Work takes place all year round.

Other fiestas include:

• January 6th - Three Kings Day
  The Three Kings arrive by boat the previous evening, giving out presents to the children.
• June - Festival of San Juan
  The Fogueres de Sant Joan to give it the Spanish name, takes place throughout Spain traditionally on the night of the summer solstice. There are firework displays and the burning of great bonfires often made up of giant effigies and model castles. It's not unusual for the effigies to consist of public figures such as politians, but be prepared for the odd tongue-in-cheek dig at local tourists too. It's all done in a very good-humoured way!
• July 16th - Nuestra Señora del Carmen
  Local fishermen take a model of the Virgin Mary out to sea, accompanied by a flotilla of other local boats which sail round the headland under the Cabo la Nao lighthouse.
• August - traditional main fiesta
  Streets are painted in bright colours and there's much singing and dancing! There is also a slightly more humane version of bull running where locals usually end up being chased by the bulls into the sea. During this time, you'll also see our favourite 'no parking owing to Paella gigante' which is cooked in a giant pan over 3 metres in diameter. The end of the fiesta is marked with a spectacular firework display, set off from the harbour arm with many fireworks launched from under the water too.