Cala de la Granadella

Jávea's coastline ends to the south at the Cala de la Granadella, inside the Parque Forestal de la Granadella, an area of roughly 700 hectares replanted after a major wildfire in 2000. Near the entrance to the park stands the Castell de la Granadella, an old coastal watchtower. The cove itself is small, about 160 metres long and 10 metres wide, made of pebbles rather than sand, enclosed by rock walls that shelter it from the wind and give its water a clarity that has made it one of the most photographed coves in the Valencian Community.

Protected from development

Declaring the area a forest park wasn't only about replanting burnt hillside: it also shielded the land from attempts to reclassify it for building, which has kept the surroundings largely undeveloped to this day. The cove has flown the Blue Flag continuously for more than three decades and was voted Spain's best beach two years running in a competition run by broadcaster Antena 3. Other nearby coves, such as Cala del Portitxol, offer a quieter alternative along the same stretch of coast.

The clear water and rocky seabed make it one of the better spots nearby for snorkelling, especially along the side walls. The access road ends at a car park by the forest park, from which a path leads down to the shore; in summer it's worth arriving early, since the car park fills and the path down gets crowded by mid-morning. With almost no natural shade on the cove itself, bringing your own cover is worth planning for. The visit pairs well with other beaches covered in the best beaches near Alicante guide.