Cabo de la Nao

Cabo de la Nao is a rugged limestone headland near the town of Xàbia (Jávea) in the Alicante province of the Valencia region, Spain, marking the most easterly point of the Spanish mainland. The cape juts into the Mediterranean Sea where the waters of the Balearic Sea meet those of the Gulf of Valencia, creating conditions that have historically marked it as one of the most significant navigation points on the eastern Spanish coast. The landscape around Cabo de la Nao is dramatic and largely unspoiled, with sheer limestone cliffs dropping to clear turquoise water, sea caves carved by centuries of wave action, and rocky coves with some of the most transparent water on the Costa Blanca. The area falls within a protected natural zone, limiting development and preserving excellent walking along the coastal paths (the GR-92 long-distance route passes nearby). The working lighthouse at the cape tip is a fine focal point for photography, particularly in the late afternoon when the sun is at a low angle to the west and the limestone cliffs glow golden. Below the cape, accessible by car and then on foot along short paths, is a cluster of secluded coves including Cala de la Llenya and the celebrated Cala de la Granadella — widely regarded as one of the most beautiful coves on the Costa Blanca, with aquamarine water framed by limestone cliffs and a small chiringuito bar during summer. The waters around the cape are excellent for snorkelling, sport fishing, and diving. On clear days, the silhouette of the island of Ibiza is visible approximately 90 kilometres offshore to the east. The cape has no admission charge and is accessible year-round by road from Xàbia town centre, approximately 10 kilometres to the north along a scenic coastal road.