10 Places to See in Villajoyosa (Alicante)

This guide to the best places to visit in Villajoyosa will help you ensure you don’t miss anything important in one of the most beautiful and colorful towns on the Alicante coast.

As the historical capital of the Marina Baixa region and only a 20-minute drive from Benidorm, Villajoyosa (Vila Joiosa in Valencian) is known for its picturesque facades painted in vibrant colors in the well-preserved fishing district, its gastronomy based on traditional dishes with rice, fish, and seafood, as well as its 15-kilometer-long coastline that hides over ten beaches, making it another holiday destination on the Costa Blanca.

Although any time of year is good to visit it, a great time without a doubt is July 29th, when the lively Moros y Cristianos festivals are celebrated. These festivals have been declared of international tourist interest and honor Santa Marta (the town’s patron saint).

Although half a day is enough to see all its sights, if you visit in the summer, you can extend your stay to enjoy the excellent beaches and take day trips to the best beaches in Alicante and nearby towns like Calpe, Alicante city, Altea, Guadalest, or the touristy Benidorm.

Based on the time we spent in this town during our road trip through the Valencia region, we’ve compiled this list of the 10 places we believe are essential to visit in Villajoyosa. Let’s get started!

promenade villajoyosa

1. The Promenade

After parking your car on Avenida del Puerto, one of the best things to do in Villajoyosa is to take a walk along the promenade, which runs parallel to Playa Central and stretches to the harbor area, where fishing boats arrive each afternoon to unload their catch at the boathouse and auction it. This part of the promenade also has some of the best restaurants to eat at in Villajoyosa with sea views, such as Taverna El Pòsit, Hogar del Pescador, and Ca Marta.

2. Calle Arsenal, One of the Places to See in Villajoyosa

On the same promenade, we recommend setting aside time for the Calle Arsenal segment, which houses some of the most beautiful fisherman’s houses and is another place to see in Villajoyosa. Previously, these old houses were painted in different colors so fishermen could identify their homes from the sea. Although their use has changed, they have been preserved in perfect condition and are now one of Villajoyosa’s biggest tourist attractions.

To learn about the town’s history and ensure you don’t miss anything important, we recommend booking this free tour or a private tour, perfect for groups.

calle arsenal villajoyosa

3. The Old Town

From Calle Arsenal, you can start a route through the steep, narrow streets surrounded by colorful facades in the old town, one of the best-preserved in the Alicante and Valencia regions. We recommend walking leisurely through the main streets: Carrer Pou, Carrer Mayor, Carrer del Pal, and Sant Pere, which allow you to admire the town’s most photogenic houses and corners as well as important buildings like the town hall and La Asunción Church, which we will discuss in the next point.

old town villajoyosa

4. La Asunción Church in Villajoyosa

In the highest part of the fortified historic center, you’ll find the charming Plaza Castelar, surrounded by colorful houses and led by La Asunción Church, the most important religious temple to see in Villajoyosa. After enjoying a drink on one of the plaza’s terraces, you can enter this church-fortress, built in the mid-16th century under King Philip II, to see a 16th-century wooden carving of the town’s patron saint and several stone fragments from the old Roman town, known as Allon.

5. Villajoyosa’s Walls

When you leave the old town from Plaza Castelar, you can see part of the old walls and towers that surrounded Villajoyosa, located on Calle Costera de La Mar. This defensive complex, declared a cultural heritage site, was built in the 16th century to protect the town from Berber attacks and was heavily damaged during the War of Succession. An excellent way to view the inner part of the walls is to have dinner at the fantastic restaurant DRoca, which offers a menu with excellent dishes and is our favorite in Villajoyosa.

6. See the Hanging Houses, Another Thing to Do in Villajoyosa

Another activity in Villajoyosa is to cross the old bridge over the Amadorio River, where there is a hydraulic flour mill from the 17th century, to see the beautiful Hanging Houses. After crossing the bridge, you can continue along Calle Pelayo, which offers fantastic panoramic views of the colorful facades jutting over the river’s flow, built over the old defensive walls.

7. Murals

To conclude the tour through the old town, you can go to the streets San Cristofol and Santísima Trinitat to see various murals that have become another of Villajoyosa’s points of interest. Among the different graffitis, there is a long mural of the town’s colorful houses. It is also interesting to visit Avenida Varador to see graffitis that honor films.

8. Villajoyosa’s Beaches

In addition to the central town beach, which has over 1 kilometer of fine sand and all necessary facilities, there are other quieter beaches to visit in Villajoyosa such as Playa Paraíso or Playa El Torres. If you’re looking for more photogenic coves, ideal for snorkeling, you can drive to La Caleta, Cala Fonda, Bol Nou, and Racó del Conill, the latter with a tradition of nudism.

An excellent way to explore these beaches is to book a kayaking trip.

9. Valor Chocolate Factory

For chocolate lovers, there’s nothing better than a visit to the Valor chocolate factory, a renowned family-owned brand that started in this building in 1881 and has, thanks to their great work, been commercialized worldwide. During your visit to the factory, which houses the Valencian Chocolate Museum, you’ll learn the entire process of making this sweet treat, from cocoa plants to the production of delicious chocolate bars. Additionally, during the tour of the various rooms, you’ll see tools and machinery that have been used over time for production, and you can taste or buy chocolate in their store. Although the visit is free, it’s advisable to arrive a little before 10 AM in the summer or on weekends, as there is limited capacity.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

10. Towers to Visit in Villajoyosa

To complete this list of places to see in Villajoyosa, we suggest getting to know some of the towers located at strategic points along the Alicante coast, which have various origins.

  • Torre del Xarco: Built in the 16th century to ward off attacks from Berber pirates. It offers an incredible view of the Mediterranean Sea and a beach with flint stones below.
  • Torre del Aguiló: A defensive tower with a square plan and eight meters in height, built in the 16th century to defend the Levantine coast.
  • Torre de Hércules or Sant Josep: Considered one of the most important Roman (2nd century AD) lighthouse towers in Spain, it is connected to Torre del Aguiló via an accessible hiking route.
  • La Malladeta: An Iberian temple located on a small hill with a fantastic view of the sea, where a tower has been preserved. You can reach it from the center of Villajoyosa by completing an easy and beautiful hiking route along the coast.

Excursions from Villajoyosa

If you plan to spend more days in the town, another of the best things to do in Villajoyosa is to take excursions to some of the nearby gems, such as:

  • Altea: Located a 30-minute drive away, this municipality is among the most beautiful towns in Spain thanks to its well-maintained old town. For more information, you can read this list of places to see in Altea.
  • Calpe: A tourist coastal town known for its iconic Peñón de Ifach and its fantastic golden sand beaches. For more information, you can read this post about what to see in Calpe.
  • Fuentes del Algar: A natural paradise within the Alicante province consisting of several waterfalls and small springs where you can take a refreshing bath.
  • Guadalest: A beautiful town of Arab origin surrounded by mountains over 1,000 meters high and with a picturesque castle. For more information, you can read this post about what to see in Guadalest.
  • Benidorm: A holiday destination with sun, beach, and parties, famous throughout Europe. To ensure you don’t miss anything, you can follow this list of places to see in Benidorm.
  • Alicante City: The capital of the Alicante province located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, impressive with its golden sand beaches, historical and cultural heritage. You can follow this list of things to see in Alicante.

Where to Stay in Villajoyosa

On our last visit to Villajoyosa, we stayed at Hotel Censal, located a 5-minute walk from the beach and the old town. In addition to its excellent location, the hotel has an outdoor pool, parking lot, and friendly staff.

Other well-located accommodations with excellent price/quality ratios include Hotel Vistamar Wellness by DLV, Hotel Allon Mediterrania, or Hostal Rosa.

For a romantic getaway, we recommend checking out this list of charming hotels in Alicante.