Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe attracting millions of tourists every year to places like Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Mallorca, Ibiza and Tenerife. But what if you are looking to discover somewhere lesser known, but just as special? Plan a trip to Xabià.
Recommended by word of mouth, Xabià, also written as ‘Javea’, is incredibly beautiful and picturesque city located in the South-East of Spain, between the province of Alicante and Valencia. Xabià is an up and coming tourist destination with foreigners but it has long been a popular holiday hotspot for Spanish people.
Best Time to Visit
Summer is the most popular time to visit but the price of flights to Spain skyrocket from June to September. Depending on your budget and how many weeks in advance you book, you can get lucky with flight prices and find some cheap prices. Off peak flight dates are also great for saving money if the summer is too expensive, with Xabià’s warm weather all year round. To get the cheapest prices search flights on Skyscanner.
Getting to Xabià
The town is located roughly the same distance away from both Alicante and Valencia and is approximately just over an hour’s drive from either airport. Be prepared to spend approximately 100 euros on either a taxi or renting a car.
Where to Stay
When searching for accommodation in Xabià there are lots of Airbnb’s and rental properties to choose from and a handful of hotels available for all budgets. Browse options on Booking.com and reserve your accommodation as far in-advance as possible to get the best prices.
Top Things to Do in Xabià
This is how to spend a few days in Xabià.
Sightseeing in Xabià Port and the Old Town
Just 30 minutes from l’Arenal Beach (the sandy beach), you can enjoy a brisk walk to the port and the Old Town. The port offers amazing views of the coastline and the Old Town is the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast whilst in the comfort of local Spanish history and a quieter part of Xabià.
Beaches and Seafront
The beach is comprised of pristine white sand, which resembles that of Hawaiian beaches, particularly with the scenic mountainous background. The seafront is laced with bars and restaurants with reasonably priced food and beverages.
There are plenty of things to do whilst you’re there and many sunbeds for those fly-and-flop inspired days. There’s even a bar person walking up and down the beach selling freshly made cocktails if you fancy a tipple, they’re irresistible!
An approximate 10-minute walk from end to end, the seafront is a suntrap and a perfect opportunity to barhop and explore different cuisines. With La Fontana and Restaurante Posidonia being among the best places to enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine. The paella from La Fontana was one to remember!
There are sunbeds available to hire for the day on l’Arenal Beach. Priced at a princely sum of $25 per bed per day, it’s probably a better idea to improvise with your own towel if you are on a tight budget.
Boat trips
Xabià is a coastal town with a healthy traffic of marinas and boats. A perfect excursion for a group day out with friends or family, you can hire a boat with or without a boat licence. Some boat trips, when purchased officially, contain all-inclusive insurance to protect you and your loved ones for the duration of your trip. Check whether this is the case with the company you wish to hire the boat from and make sure your personal travel insurance covers water sports and water travel for your safety.
Driving around the mountains and through nearby towns and villages
When considering driving and/or hiring a car abroad, it is crucial that you remember your driving license, have the relevant car insurance arranged and are fully aware of driving laws and regulations.
If you choose to hire a car, I recommend sacrificing a day at the beach for a drive around and up the mountains. Following our noses, we drove to Moraira for breakfast and walked along the beachfront to the port. The port consisted of fancy yachts and the bluest water, with hundreds of fish swimming along the promenade.
We then drove through Parcent and up Coll De Rates, a popular cycling route and mountain climb. We saw the most mesmerising views, including glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea. Just beside where we were soaking up the scenery, Restaurante Coll De Rates provided a great respite.
We then ventured to Lliber, a small village, for a coffee and a wander round. We then drove through Denia Port and back to Xabià again.
Day Trip to Benidorm
If you fancy a break from the more tranquil state of Xabià, it’s only a 40-minute drive to Benidorm which is one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe. Benidorm is also ideal place for a night out due to the amount of bars and clubs here.
Consider getting a taxi or catching the bus there. Remember to check timetables to prevent being stranded and having to fork out for expensive last-minute accommodation or taxi prices that you hadn’t accounted for in your budget.
Or if you are looking for a day trip with a bit more shopping and culture, consider Alicante.
Safety & General Tips
When enjoying a beach holiday, make sure you have insured your valuables with device insurance. Be mindful when leaving your property unattended on the beach or by the pool.
When taking a night out stick with your mates! Make sure you keep an eye on each other’s drinks, arrange a meeting place in advance in case any person in your group loses their phone and make sure you all travel back to your accommodation together as the night draws to a close.
Before travelling, you might want to sign up for government travel alerts for your destination and purchase appropriate travel insurance at least one day before you’re due to travel abroad. It’s also a good idea to get a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). These cards are free and enable you to access medical support at the same cost as a national.