The area
Xàbia, between cape and coves
From the quiet hillside of Balcón al Mar to the old towns, ports and cities of the Costa Blanca and Valencia.
La Siesta · Balcón al Mar
A balcony over the sea
Balcón al Mar, literally a balcony over the sea, is a residential hillside in Xàbia close to Cap de la Nao. The setting is green and quiet, with villas among pines and gardens.
The rocky coves of this stretch of coast, such as Granadella, Ambolo and Portitxol, are known for clear water and snorkelling.
Xàbia · Jávea
One town, many faces
The old town
Narrow streets of local tosca stone around the fortified Gothic church of Sant Bartomeu, with the covered market close by.
The port
A working fishing port with its daily catch, waterfront restaurants and the Duanes de la Mar promenade.
Montgó & the capes
The Montgó natural park rises behind the bay. Cap de Sant Antoni and Cap de la Nao both have lighthouses and wide views.
The Arenal
The sandy beach of Xàbia, with a promenade lined with cafés, ideal with children.
Eat & drink
Where to eat around Villa La Siesta
The villa sits up on Balcón al Mar, about 15 minutes by car from Xàbia and the Arenal. Good local tables are only a few minutes away; down by the sea are the addresses the guides love.
Approximate car times from the villa. Distinctions as listed in the 2026 guides; booking is wise in summer.
Soluna Beach
Restaurant and beach club in Balcón al Mar, with a large pool, day beds and a children’s playground.
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Everest Spice
Indian and Himalayan cooking on the road to La Guàrdia, a few bends from the villa.
Photo: Andy Li, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
L’Échalotte
A neighbourhood restaurant in Costa Nova, on the road to La Guàrdia, very close to the villa.
Photo: Serge Esteve sce767, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Las Olas
A down-to-earth local bar near the Arenal: tapas such as gambas al ajillo, and bocadillos.
Photo: Juan Emilio Prades Bel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tula
Market-fresh Mediterranean cooking, one street back from the Arenal beach.
Photo: Gerda Arendt, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
La Perla de Jávea
Paella, fideuà and other rice dishes on the Arenal seafront: a classic for a long lunch.
Photo: Eruperti, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Tosca
Creative cuisine with Franco-Belgian roots, at the head of the Canal de la Fontana by the Arenal.
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
BonAmb
Chef Alberto Ferruz’s tasting menus, built on produce from the Marina Alta, in a restored country house on the road to Benitatxell.
Photo: schermpeter42 (Flickr), CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Noray
Traditional market cooking and rice dishes such as arroz del senyoret, on the Grava beach next to the port.
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Volta i Volta
Seasonal Mediterranean cooking with Italian touches, in a street of the historic centre.
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Things to do
Sea, sun and a little speed
A tennis club and a supermarket a short walk from the villa; further afield, coves, karting and the sea, nearest first.
Los Pinos tennis & padel
A tennis and padel club among the pines of Balcón al Mar, with a supermarket right next door: both a short walk from the villa.
Photo: Vladsinger at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Portitxol & Cala Barraca
A pebble cove facing the islet of Portitxol, at the end of a scenic road down from the cape.
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cala Granadella
A pebble cove between pine-covered cliffs, with some of the clearest water on the coast.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Karting Jávea
An outdoor track of about 500 metres with karts for adults and children: perfect for a family race.
Photo: PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Snorkelling & diving
The rocky seabed around the capes and the protected waters of Cap de Sant Antoni are ideal for snorkelling; dive centres leave from the port.
Photo: Wusel007, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jesús Pobre market
Local produce, bread and crafts under the arches of a traditional riurau, on Sunday mornings in the village of Jesús Pobre.
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cova Tallada by kayak
A former stone quarry turned sea cave at the foot of Cap de Sant Antoni. Many trips start from Les Rotes, in Dénia; book ahead in summer.
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Nature & day trips
Mountains, capes and villages
The Les Pesqueres viewpoint is a short walk from the villa; then the capes, the Montgó and inland villages, nearest first.
Les Pesqueres viewpoint
A small viewpoint with benches above the cliffs, a short walk from the villa: the Cap de la Nao lighthouse to the north, the Descobridor island to the south and, on clear days, the Penyal d’Ifac.
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cap de la Nao
The lighthouse cape a few minutes from the villa, with a viewpoint over the cliffs and, on clear days, Ibiza on the horizon.
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
La Plana windmills
A row of old stone windmills on the plateau of La Plana, on the way to the Cap de Sant Antoni lighthouse.
Photo: Espencat, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Montgó Natural Park
The mountain that watches over Xàbia. Trails lead to the summit and its view over the whole bay; start early in summer.
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Penyal d’Ifac
The great rock rising from the sea in Calp, with a trail through its natural park and beaches at its feet.
Photo: Vibanezmas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fonts de l’Algar
Waterfalls and natural pools along the Algar river, near Callosa d’en Sarrià: a cool escape inland on hot days.
Photo: Javier martin, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Guadalest
A mountain village perched on a rock, with its castle and a turquoise reservoir below.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Day trips
Alicante and Valencia
Both cities and their international airports are reached along the AP-7 motorway.
Alicante
The Santa Bárbara castle above the city, the palm-lined Explanada de España and the old quarter of El Barrio.
Valencia
The City of Arts and Sciences, the historic centre and its Silk Exchange, and the Albufera lagoon, home of paella.
Closer to home
Dénia and its castle, the white old town of Altea and the mountain village of Guadalest.
Stay in the middle of it all
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability.