Cala del Portitxol (Cala de la Barraca)

Cala del Portitxol, also known as Cala de la Barraca, runs for around 900 metres of gravel, rounded stones and rock between Cap Prim and Cap Negre, on the northern coast of Jávea. Facing it, just 300 metres offshore, sits Portitxol Island, protected for its botanical and archaeological interest, which also acts as a natural breakwater and keeps the cove's water especially calm.

A miniature fishing village

The cove's best-known feature is the cluster of old fishermen's houses with blue doors that crowd the shoreline, one of the most photographed corners of the Jávea coast. The rocky seabed and clear water make it a regular spot for scuba diving and snorkelling, with guided routes heading toward the caves around Portitxol Island, including the one known as the Cova dels Orguens, and kayaking and paddleboarding are common on calmer days. The seabed drops away quickly just off the shore, which is part of why the cove is also used regularly for beginner and intermediate diving courses throughout the warmer months, when visibility in this part of the coast tends to be at its best.

Getting there

It can be reached by car along the Cap de la Nau road, or on foot from the Mirador de la Creu del Portitxol viewpoint, down a path that leads to the fishermen's houses. The combination of cliffs, rock and clear water makes it a regular stop on any tour of the area's best coves, alongside others nearby such as Cala Blanca and Cala Sardinera, both a short distance down the coast to the south.