Set against the backdrop of the imposing Montgo Mountain, Javea (Xàbia) is a small coastal town on the northern tip of the Costa Blanca. Part of the province of Alicante, Javea is also an increasingly popular holiday destination located just an hour’s drive from the airports of Valencia and Alicante.

The town enjoys one of the healthiest climates anywhere in the world and benefits from more annual days of sunshine than any other part of Spain. Noted by the World Health Association for its near perfect weather, Javea enjoys average daily temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius, low humidity and up to 11 hours of sunshine per day.

Set between the capes of Cabo de la Nao and Cabo San Antonio, the town’s coastline stretches over 10km and is made up of charming beaches, secluded coves and a bustling harbour. Down by the seafront, visitors can explore Javea’s attractive palm tree lined esplanade with its open terrace bars and restaurants or soak up the sunshine on the popular Playa del Arenal beach. By evening the seafront is the scene for Javea’s nightlife with live flamenco, discos and cocktail bars to enjoy.

Javea’s historic town centre has an authentic Spanish feel, free from modern concrete high-rises and other blots on the landscape. In the narrow streets of the old town, visitors will observe structures of traditional Spanish Tosca stone, whitewashed buildings, ornate porticoes and wrought iron balconies adorned with patriotic flags of gold and red.

Visitors to Javea may be surprised to see just how green and lush the surrounding landscape is. The area has an abundance of flat agricultural land used for growing both citrus and olive trees, while the Montgo National Park that separates the town from neighbouring Denia is said to shelter over 600 vegetable species.

Unlike a whole host of seaside resorts on the Spanish Costas, Javea has managed to maintain an Iberian authenticity in spite of its rapid growth as a holiday destination. By resisting any plans to fill the pretty coastal town with monstrous hotels and high-rise apartment blocks, Javea has avoided the mistakes that are widely accepted to have disfigured nearby Benidorm.

With its contrasting landscape, outstanding weather, rich heritage and fine beaches, Javea has developed a reputation as the jewel in Costa Blanca’s crown. Holidaymakers who spend time in Javea are usually reluctant to leave the resort behind – a fact evidenced by the large population of expat Britons who have made the town their home.