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Shimmering turquoise-blue waters, encompassed by magnificent mountains and steep hills filled with local wildlife, and adored by locals and visitors alike... Welcome to Cala Granadella! Javea hosts many gems, but nothing quite so spectacular as Cala Granadella, the most exclusive, beautiful, and exotic beach in Javea, if not the entirety of Spain. In fact, according to multiple national surveys, Cala Granadella has been voted the BEST BEACH IN SPAIN multiple times.
Surrounded by an incredible pine forest and known for its steep hills and crystal-clear waters, Cala Granadella has also been awarded with the prestigious Bandera Azul (Blue Flag) every year since 1989, an award asserting that Cala Granadella meets standards of safety, information, and quality assurance!
In short, visiting Cala Granadella is a MUST when in & around Javea and the Alicante/Valencia region. And with over a decade of local knowledge, I am here to provide you with the most comprehensive and complete guide regarding this beautiful little bay, providing you with all the information you need to know when visiting Cala Granadella.
Below you can find a step-by-step guide detailing all the topics we will cover in this ultimate Cala Granadella guide:
As we’ve mentioned, it can be difficult figuring out what to do in Javea or what to see & visit... but that’s why we’re here, to convince you that nothing similar exists to Cala Granadella, the without-a-doubt best beach in Javea and the Alicante region!
You may have heard of this name before, and I wouldn’t be surprised why... as it does happen to be one of the most famous beaches around, not only in Javea, but the entirety of Spain. It has attracted the attention of famous personalities, national televisions, international travelers, and people like yourself, ambitious adventurers who are seeking for something amazing to do on their holiday!
You’re in the right place! Cala Granadella is a small history and mystery-packed beach that is extremely exclusive and unique, located inside of a huge valley and on the southernmost part of Javea. Despite measuring no more than 160 meters in length, it offers its visitors a huge variety of things to do, enjoy and cherish, something discussed in a lot more detail throughout this article!
Keep reading, and soon you’ll understand why so many people have fallen in love with this unimaginably special place we call Cala Granadella.
Cala Granadella, a geographical miracle?
One of the main reasons why Cala Granadella can be considered the best beach in Javea is thanks to its unique geographical positioning. Let me explain...
Cala Granadella is located at the bottom of a valley and surrounded by tall mountains that measure over a hundred meters from sea level at some points. What this means is that Cala Granadella is very protected and sheltered. Why is this important?
Well, you get natural protection from the elements by the cliffs around you, sheltering you from strong gusts of wind and waves! Oftentimes there is a storm out at sea, all whilst Cala Granadella enjoys calm waters and beautiful weather!
So this bay is blessed with the perfect conditions for things like sunbathing and relaxing, where you’ll never have to worry about getting cold. Also, as waves don’t tend to have any affect within the bay, it’s almost always perfect for snorkelling and swimming, as well as a wide rage other water activities like kayaking and paddle boarding (discussed later!) But yes, just Cala Granadella’s location makes it an incredible place for you to enjoy your day.
The perfect beach for absolutely everyone?
What the protected and sheltered nature of this beach does is give it some intimacy and tranquillity, making it absolutely perfect for those who want to relax a little bit and enjoy the sun and the peaceful water.
At the same time, it makes it the ideal location for families with smaller children, where you’ll never have to worry about adverse weather, strong currents or waves putting your little ones in danger! Let’s not mention that the beach is patrolled for by a sophisticated lifeguard system called the Cruz Roja, something that we’ll discuss in more detail later!
At the same time, if you’re someone who is seeking a little bit more adventure, once again, Cala Granadella is perfect for you!
Not only does it have an incredible underwater world, but right from the beach you have access to services and activities (more on that in the “things to do section”) that take you to nearby abandoned bays & caves where you’ll be able to explore, cliff-jump and just do something completely different!
And for those who just want the standard beach day with friends and family, once again, this is the place to be, surrounded by beautiful landscapes with turquoise blue waters at your feet and an overall atmosphere of Mediterranean joy!
Cala Granadella & Healthy Traditions?
You may have heard about the benefits of the sun, but what actually are they? Well, luckily for you the locals at Cala Granadella have a thing or two to say, and who better to listen to than them, often having spent their entire life in what we nowadays call the paradise of Javea!
According to them, and directly in line with scientific research, natural sunlight provokes the chemical production of melatonin, a hormone that is associated with improving sleep quality, fighting stress, and significantly reducing the effects of depression!
Equally, we receive a heap-load of vitamin D from the sun, a mineral that we often lack in our everyday diets... and this valuable mineral significantly boosts the immune system and strengthens your bones!
Talking about strengthening bones... Granadella is also a pebble beach, not a sandy one like you’d find on the Arenal. Nonetheless, since the beginning of time, pebbles have helped ancient populations become sturdier and stronger, strengthening the skin on the soles of their feet and protecting them.
Equally, medical studies have proven that walking on pebbles strengthens the muscles of the legs and feet, improving general circulation and avoiding illnesses. In fact, children walking along pebbled beaches have a lower risk of developing flat feet.
Thus, Granadella beach is not only the perfect location for those craving a fun and adventurous day out, but also for those who care about their health and the benefits of nature to the body!
So, if we’ve started to convince you why this beautiful little bay is so special, you’ll want to know where exactly Cala Granadella is.
Cala Granadella is located in Javea, the little town in the Alicante province of Eastern Spain. More specifically, Cala Granadella can be found on the southernmost part of Javea, bordering the unique coastline that separates Javea from Benitachell and the neighbouring town of Moraira.
Overall, Granadella’s unique and remote location outside of the Javea city centre, and away from the tourist hotspots, can often make it hard for people to find it.
But don’t worry, we’re here to break down step-by-step how to get there, how to park, and how to access Cala Granadella during summer! Nonetheless, we have a full guide of getting to Cala Granadella where we describe all of these processes in a lot more detail! You can find our How to get to Cala Granadella Complete Guide using the hyperlink!
However, I will summarize it all below!
As Cala Granadella is in such a remote part of Javea, it can often be difficult for tourists and those not local to the area to find their way there! Nonetheless, with the right information you can get there without any issues.
To be able to access Cala Granadella, you must follow the Carretera del Portixol road until you find the intersection towards Carretera de la Granadella. From there, follow the road straight without taking any turns and it will take you directly to Granadella, arriving at Carretera Tio Catala and your destination, Cala Granadella!
It usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the beach from Javea city centre, and you can expect to travel around 10 kilometres through beautiful Mediterranean curving roads.
However, it is very advisable to use a GPS to avoid getting lost, as after all, it is a remote location and for those who do not know the area, the roads might be a little bit confusing and disorientating. For those coming with GPS, simply write in “Carretera Tio Catala, Jávea” and it should take you directly to Granadella beach, Javea.
Accessing Cala Granadella during the summer can be difficult, but we’re here to help you. During the summer months, predominantly July and August, the local townhall of Javea puts in restrictions that limit how many people can enter the beach to combat massification, unsustainable tourism, and because Cala Granadella isn’t that big!
So how do these restrictions in Cala Granadella affect you? Well, it’s simple... if the beach reaches full capacity and they close access, you will not be able to enter. Luckily for you, there are some ways to bypass these restrictions!
If you book a service with a company, and show them your reservation confirmation email, you will be allowed to enter no matter what time. In other words, you get the best of both worlds!
You won’t have to worry about limited access, and you’ll also be greeted by an incredible adventure when you arrive to Cala Granadella! So if you’re looking for an adventure, you can find it right here! – We will discuss in a lot more detail the top 3 things to do in Granadella later down!
Going by car is by far the most comfortable and sensible way to access Cala Granadella. You will be able to transport all your personal belongings and not have to rely on an external service for transport... however, you will have to wake up earlier and get there ideally before 09:00 to ensure access and parking!
The local townhall organises a shuttle service that always has access to Cala Granadella. You’ll also have access to a big parking area just off Carretera de la Granadella onto the Urbanització Costa Nova Ambolo. You can find out more information here.
Control guards tend to be a lot more flexible regarding motorbikes than cars as they take smaller amounts of space to park and transport less people! Access is not always guaranteed, but it sure is more likely that you’ll be able to access. You can find more information about motorbike services here.
Taxis have the privilege of always being able to access Cala Granadella, so if you want to ensure that you can get there in the comfort of a car, a taxi is an option for you! However, don’t forget, you’ll also need a ride back after your sunny day at the beach
A healthy alternative for those seeking a little bit more exercise and adventure. With bikes you’ll never have to worry about not being able to access Cala Granadella as there are no restrictions that apply to bicycles. So if cycling is your thing, get yourself a bike from here and get ready for an adventure!
This is not an alternative that we would recommend, but I’ll mention it anyways as it is a guaranteed access to Cala Granadella. If the beach and parking is at full capacity, you will be able to park at the top of the Carretera de la Granadella road where you’ll be able to walk down... Nonetheless, it’s a walk that is over three kilometres long, under the scorching hot sun, with no sidewalk ensuring a safe passage down. We would personally recommend just coming back the following day a little bit earlier!
If you’ve managed to get past the control, or you happen to be an early bird that wanted to ensure themselves an incredible day, you’ll need somewhere to park. Although the control limiting access to the beach helps significantly improve parking, it can, and will be very difficult especially during the summer season.
So where can you park in Cala Granadella? Well, in total there are 4 MAIN parking locations, with access and capacity for around 200 cars. The parking locations are the following:
This is the first parking zone that you’ll come across when driving down to Cala Granadella and if you want to avoid yourself any trouble parking, this is the place for you! It is a big parking spot with enough space for around 30-40 cars.
It is surrounded by trees as it is located in the Granadella Forest valley, meaning that your car will remain in the shade for the entire day. You will have to take a short walk to Cala Granadella (around 5-10 minutes), however, the majority of the walk is in the shade, and it is very pleasant.
In fact, there is a famous little hiking route amongst the trees which gets rid of the necessity of walking on the roadside.
The best place to park when coming to Cala Granadella is on Carrer del Pic Tort. It is located right next to the beach, and it’s long and curving roads allow for around 150 cars to park.
The earlier you arrive, the closer to the beach you’ll be able to park, making the distance and access all the easier. Here, make sure that you use your handbrake, and even place a little stone behind your back tyres as the entire parking is on an incline!
This is probably the best parking spot of all, being the closest to the beach, being shaded by trees, and being an overall easily accessible parking spot in Cala Granadella.
However, as it is the best parking spot in Cala Granadella, it gets filled up the quickest... so if you want to park here, do come as early as possible. I promise, it’ll all be worth it when you get there!
There is also another parking zone, equally close to Cala Granadella, that is organized by the locals. They charge you around €10 to park there (for as long as you want during your beach day), and it almost always has spaces. It is very convenient but does come with a little price.
Along the Carretera de la Granadella, as you approach Cala Granadella especially, you will see lots of cars parking on the roadside as there are little places you can squeeze into.
This is perfectly fine but BE VERY CAREFUL! If your car crosses onto the road even one centimetre, the police are very likely to give you a fine or simply tow your car away, making your stay at Cala Granadella a rather expensive one...
So if you do decide to park by the roadside, only do so if you are certain that no part of your car is intruding the road, not even by a centimetre!
Cala Granadella wouldn’t be considered the best beach in Javea unless it had a HUGE variety of things to do and enjoy. Having been operating from this beautiful little beach for over ten years, let me share a few tips and secrets with you that I would personally recommend for you to try out whilst at Cala Granadella!
If you think Cala Granadella is beautiful, just wait until you hear about all the other incredible things that surround it! Unfortunately, the things I am about to mention are too far to reach swimming or snorkelling, so the most convenient and adventurous way to get there is with a kayak... and what better company to use than Siesta Advisor (That's right, another shameless Siesta Advisor plug!)
Having been operating kayak tours from Cala Granadella for over a decade now, we really do know what we’re doing and all the treasures that this spectacular part of Javea has to offer!
The southern coastline of Javea is renowned for its beauty, featuring some breath-taking views and places. I discuss all of this in a lot more detail in our Kayaking in Javea guide, but here’s a short little introduction!
Cala Granadella & Cova del Llop Marí
One of the first places you’d visit would be the astonishing Cova del Llop Marí. Roughly translating to “Cave of the sealions” in English, legend has it that the cave’s name comes from the fact that long ago sea lions used to visit this cave while they were migrating, and local fishermen named it on behalf of these animals!
Despite no longer having sea lions, you can still expect to find a huge variety of octopus, starfish and even stingrays! Equally, as the cave is completely natural, you witness all the geological processes occurring within, parts of the cave being purple, orange and even bright blue! And that’s not to mention the abundance of stalactites as well as underwater tunnels!
Cala en Caló, the hidden paradise within Cala Granadella
You can find a more comprehensive guide on Cala en Caló here, however I’ll still tell you all the things you need to know about Cala en Caló and why it is such an incredible place!
In short, Cala en Caló is a completely isolated and exotic bay, hidden at the bottom of an enormous canyon that towers a hundred metres above! In fact, to give you an example of how unique this bay is, until recently it wasn’t even marked on Google Maps and not many people knew about it! But being just a kilometer and a half from Cala Granadella, (roughly 20-30 minutes paddling), you’ll be amazed at what you can find.
First, because it has had so little contact with humans, expect to find one of the most beautifully preserved bays imaginable, protected from human deterioration and unsustainable tourism. This means that the beach remains abundant with marine flora and fauna, making it tremendous for snorkelling.
Second, and most importantly, there is an underwater sea cave system... this is by far the most spectacular thing imaginable in the bay, with it being the highlight of everyone’s holiday in Javea. I won’t spoil too much here, but if you’re interested to find out more, check out this extensive Cala en Caló guide!
Cala Ambolo, the stunning neighbour of Cala Granadella
And finally, you would also visit the incredible & picturesque Cala Ambolo, a peaceful and beautiful beach with some silky-smooth sand and some jaw dropping views. It is one of Javea’s most exclusive, as well as beautiful beaches, a little gem that you must visit.
Access to this bay is extremely limited, often being completely closed to the public... but luckily we get the unique privilege to get there and enjoy the privacy and beauty that this bay has to offer!
If you don’t fancy kayaking, don’t worry, Cala Granadella has plenty more to offer! For example... snorkelling!
The warm, clear, and brilliantly turquoise-blue waters of the Mediterranean Ocean have long been regarded as a fantastic place to enjoy snorkelling and underwater life, and this couldn’t be truer than with Cala Granadella. So, if you happen to be a water fanatic and enjoy the underwater world as much as we do, this beach is for you.
Cala Granadella has some very impressive underwater rock structures, especially on the right-hand side of the beach, where you’ll be able to find an abundance of life! So prepare to immerse yourself in one of the best places for snorkelling, as Cala Granadella will definitely show all of its colours once you put your head under the water and witness all that lays below! Here’s a small breakdown of just some of the things you may expect to find!
The painted comber has an orange-red to pinkish colour, with darker coloured vertical stripes along its body (resembling a comb) and a shimmery silver-blue spot towards the tail end.
Easy to spot by its flat grey shape and the black spot between its body and tail, the saddled sea bream is one of the most common types of fish in the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, this is the type of fish that we most commonly see around Cala en Caló, often being surrounded by entire shoals of them!
This fish starts out with a vivid green colour, and as it grows, it develops a shimmering rainbow colour, with stripes of different colours across its body!
Don’t worry, I know what you’re thinking! "NO! I HATE JELLYFISH!" I used to think the same until I came across these jellyfish! Fried Egg Jellyfish, also known as Egg-Yolk Jellies, are called this because of a distinctive bell on the head of the jellyfish, looking like a cracked egg an floating through the water.
However, the best part is that these jellyfish are COMPLETELY HARMLESS, meaning that you can even touch them without any issue! You will often find a friend egg jellyfish in Cala en Caló, and if you do, don’t worry, it’s perfectly fine!
Mediterranean food has a special place in all of our hearts, renowned for being one of the healthiest diets in the entire worlds. When you truly think about Mediterranean food you might start thinking about pizza or pasta from Italy, or perhaps some lamb chops from Greece... but a real and true Mediterranean diet is based on the region’s traditional fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seafood, olive oil, and dairy—with perhaps a glass or two of red wine.
Luckily for you, Cala Granadella has one of the most exquisite and unique Mediterranean restaurants in the region, Restaurante Sur. Not only do they have the most spectacular food, ranging from their incredible paellas to their fresh fish and meat, but they also have a long history of doing what they love... providing people like you the tastiest and best Mediterranean food that you’ll ever try!
Having started as a small little family business by José’s (the current owner) parents, they started serving locals and those who would come and visit Cala Granadella with their special family dishes and unimaginable recipes. For over 50 years now they have provided the local community with some of the best food in the region, something they take pride in until this very day!
If you do fancy a special little Mediterranean snack, Restaurante Sur in Cala Granadella is the place to go! Make sure to look out for José, but you can’t really miss him as he’ll be there to greet you with the biggest smile and the warmest welcome!
You can also expect to find some additional services at Cala Granadella that you may want to be aware of, here’s a list!
Cala Granadella has an incredibly sophisticated lifeguard service called “Cruz Roja” covering the entire beach! This makes Cala Granadella a super safe beach, and perfect for families with smaller children, as you can always have the assurance of dozens of lifeguards always keeping an eye out and monitoring every part of the beach for most of the day!
Usually operating from 09:00 until 17:00, if you happen to have any injuries, or cut yourself, or simply need some medical assistance, there is a dedicated red and white hut in the centre of the bay. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the Cruz Roja’s flag system... here’s a little breakdown:
1. Red flag: you will find this kind of flag on situations where it is forbidden to swim due to dangerous sea conditions.
2. Yellow flag: indicates the need to be careful when swimming as the sea conditions are not the best.
3. Green flag: shows that it is safe to swim on the beach.
4. Jellyfish flag: a white flag with two jellyfish that serves to warn of the high presence of these animals in the water.
You can also find a sun umbrella and sunbed service, operating from morning till evening! If you happen to have forgotten these things at home, don’t worry, you can always use this service to stay out of the sun and remain protected!
Cala Granadella is beautiful all year round, so no matter when you come to Javea, you should definitely take some time out of your day to visit! Nonetheless, here’s a little guide talking all about the benefits of coming at different times!
Summer
Obviously, this is when Cala Granadella is at it’s busiest, and when you can expect to be able to enjoy the delightful sun, the warm water, and the true Mediterranean summer to its fullest! It is the best time of year to go for those who want to ensure that they have a very pleasant and warm day at the beach, not having to worry about getting too chilly swimming in the water or after coming out!
Autumn & Spring
This is arguably the best time of the year to visit Cala Granadella as you get to experience the best of both worlds! You can still enjoy and bathe under the warm Mediterranean sun and still be able to go for a refreshing swim.
At the same time, you are privileged with a lot more space and freedom, avoiding the busy tourist season of the summer. You won’t have to worry about parking, or restricted access, giving you a lot of flexibility.
In my personal opinion, I would recommend September and October as that is when Cala Granadella has lost its touristic influx, and when the sea water is at its absolute warmest!
Winter
You may be wondering... should I still visit Cala Granadella during the winter period? And the answer might shock you. ABSOLUTELY YES! Javea is incredibly lucky to have some splendid weather in winter.
And that’s expected in a town with over 330 sunny days a year, and with winter temperatures often reaching 25oC! Obviously you may not be able to go for a swim in your swimming trunks or bikini, but you’ll still often be able to sunbathe under the delicate winter sun and still carry out kayaking adventures!
I am sure you know the kinds of things that you should take with you to your typical beach day, however Cala Granadella may be a little bit different, so here’s a list of the top 10 things that you should not forget to take with you!
At Siesta Advisor we take pride in how much attention and care we give the environment, a passion we enjoy sharing with adventurers like you! Cala Granadella has a sophisticated system of recycling bins, color-coded, and labelled accordingly to which form of waste you should put in there! You should expect to find some bins for hard plastics, others for papers, and some for general waste.
Please use these bins appropriately, as waste and litter that doesn’t get put in the bin will almost certainly end up in the ocean, something that will continue affecting the ecosystem for centuries to come!
Additionally, Cala Granadella suffered a scary fire in the year 2016. Nowadays, you can still see the damage that this fire caused, as some areas have still not fully recovered.
For this very reason, it is very important to be very responsible and cautious as any plastic or other rubbish left behind is highly capable of provoking another fire due to the high temperatures and heat of the summer period. Please take care, remain responsible and let’s enjoy our rubbish-free beaches!
Perhaps you’ve already been to Cala Granadella and crave something new and different, so here’s a list of some nearby beaches that you may be interested in! I won’t go into detail here as they all have their own dedicated article, but here’s a short description and a picture of the closest and most beautiful beaches nearby to Cala Granadella!
Cala Ambolo
A peaceful and beautiful beach with a nudist tradition where you can sunbathe and take amazing pictures. Having very limited access, it is one of the most exclusive beaches in Javea.
Cala Portixol
Portixol, a small history and mystery-packed beach, is extremely exclusive and unique. It is renowned for its pristine crystal-clear waters and unimaginable reefs and underwater rock formations.
Cala en Caló
It is one of the most secretive and exclusive bays in Javea, barely known by the everyday tourist that comes to this part of Spain. This makes Cala en Caló one of the best beaches in Javea, as it remains off the radar for almost everybody which has allowed it to preserve all its natural beauty and magic.
Do you have any additional questions about Cala Granadella? Well, don’t hesitate and ask away! We are more than happy to answer all your questions and queries without issue! So... if you are unsure or uncertain about something, ask away and we’ll always be there to answer your questions! You can contact us via email on info@siestaadvisor.com, or equally on phone & Whatsapp on +34 639 908 367
