You know those spontaneous little day trips that end up meaning way more than you expect? That was Jávea.
My friend and I hopped on a bus with no big plans, just a shared craving for coffee, a little adventure, and some sunshine. Jávea (or Xàbia if you’re feeling fancy) is a coastal gem tucked between Alicante and Valencia, and honestly, she’s giving understated Mediterranean charm. Think: blue skies, mountains in the background, and a seaside town that doesn’t try too hard because it knows it doesn’t need to.
Our first mission? Food. And coffee. Mostly coffee.
We stumbled into Nostro Coffee for brunch, and thank God we did. From the moment we walked in (accidentally making a dramatic entrance by knocking over and shattering a bottle of olive oil, casual), it felt like the right kind of place. The music was vibey (all English hits, bless), the staff was super chill about the olive oil situation, and they even had a Spotify playlist for the café, which I’ll link below because yes, it’s that good.
I ordered a simple ham and cheese sandwich, and when it arrived with a little pickle on the side, and was heated to perfection. Game changer. Expectations were low, but the café absolutely set the tone for the day: simple, surprising, and exactly what we didn’t know we needed.
After brunch, we wandered to the beach, a short walk from town and not your average stretch of sand. It was a pebble beach, and hear me out: I think I prefer it. Sure, bring water shoes unless you enjoy tiptoeing like you’re avoiding Legos, but there’s something oddly calming about the sound of pebbles dancing with the waves. It’s like nature’s ASMR.
We spent time walking the shore, soaking in the views, and getting into one of those heart-to-hearts that sneak up on you. We talked about life, God, transitions, and how weirdly comforting it is to have a friend who just gets it. She’s not coming back next year, and this was our chance to catch up before geography throws us in different directions. I didn’t realize how much I’d needed that conversation until we were in the middle of it.
We wandered the town afterward, popping into little stores and even a museum, mostly for the AC, let’s be real. We toasted the day with tinto de verano (Spain’s answer to sangria) and had this brilliant idea: why not make one with white wine? Blanco de verano. Someone call Spain, we’ve got a pitch!
The day ended with us back on the bus, loud, laughing, undeniably American in the back row. The sun dipped behind the mountains, painting the sky in warm tones like a goodbye hug, and we laughed until our stomachs hurt. The kind of laughter that makes you feel lighter. The kind of moment you wish you could bottle up and save for later.
Jávea wasn’t about doing it all. It was about feeling it all.
The beach. The brunch. The busted olive oil. The goodbyes you’re not quite ready for.
Simple, sweet, unforgettable.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
P.S.!!!!! Here’s the link to good music: Nostro Coffee
