Known for the colorful houses
Many people know this town south of Benidorm because of the colored houses. But this town has so much more to offer and things to discover. Did you know it has a very international chocolate industry and amazing seafood gastronomy? And now that not many tourists are around, it is a great moment to spend a day in Villajoyosa.
How to get here?
It is very easy to find Villajoyosa. Just follow the A7 motorway, and whether you come from the north or the south, there are clear signs on the motorway. You arrive in town a few minutes after the exit.
Things to do in Villajoyosa
First stop
Our first stop in this village is the fishermen’s Quarter, where most of the colored houses are located. The area is part of the oldest part of the town. Legend tells that long ago fishermen painted the facades of their houses with these bright colors. In order to see them from the sea and also make the exchange of signals easier. The town continues to promote this initiative in a touristic way today, as lots of these colorful facades remain. Here is a link to see more photos. During a day in Villajoyosa, you should go by here.
The old center of this village forms an Artistic Historic Site and therefore has been declared a Cultural Interest Asset. The village port maintains relevant because the freshly caught fish is unloaded and auctioned daily at the piers fish market.
The Amadorio River crosses the city as it flows towards the sea. The artificial lake a few kilometers of land inwards shares its name with this river. People that enjoy nature and fishing can visit this lake and the man-made dam.
History
In history, pirates besieged Villajoyosa many times, just like the neighboring villages. And because of that many ruins of erected walls and watchtowers can still be seen. In addition to Barbary pirates, the Romans also passed through this town and left traces that can still be appreciated.
The construction of a Hotel in 2006 brought to light some of these Roman archaeological remains. They established, after the initial investigation, that these ruins belong to the Roman baths. And according to the result, these were built in 76 AD. in the ancient city of Allon. Obviously, the discovery stopped the construction of the building. The excavators suspected that this Roman city Allon may have been somewhere between Dénia and Alicante. Villajoyosa had always been suspected of being in this town. And after the discovery of the Roman baths, the suspicion and acknowledgment became official. They are the largest baths that have been found, and the remains are very well-preserved. Masonry walls, as well as service rooms and a sauna enclosure with several heat rooms, are among the remains.
The Beaches of Villajoyosa
This town offers 15 kilometers of coastline with a total of 15 beaches. It has urban and hidden secluded beaches, perfect to spend a beach day in Villajoyosa. The water is warm and usually crystal clear.
The beaches near the village center are the most visited. Among them are Estudiantes Beach, the Roig River Beach, Almadraba Beach, Centro Beach, and Cala Mallaeta. Another very popular beach is Playa del Paraíso that is located south of the town.
Playa de Torres is a more hidden beach that has a small beach bar during the summer months. It has very clear water and the beach has gravel and sand. Playa de Torres means beach of the towers. The still present Roman towers Torre De la Cruz and Torre de Sant Josep have given this beach its particular name. The Sant Josep tower is the largest Roman funerary monument in Spain and the best preserved in the Valencian Community.
What to eat in Villajoyosa?
La Vila Gastronómica is another tourist attraction of the city. Together with the city council many restaurants and hotels, as well as local shops, develop a specific gastronomic monthly theme.
Show of Marine Cuisine (Cuina Marinera): March
Tuna (La Pebrereta): June
Chocolate (the Xocolatíssima): August
Rice dishes week (the Setmana de l’arrós). October
This is all done to show their residents and tourists the greatness of the local gastronomy. On top of that, the Mediterranean wine fair and the Monthly European Breakfasts are other gastronomic activities.
The history of chocolate
Obviously, we can not forget to tell about the rich chocolate history of Villajoyosa. Many European brands have their origin in this village such as Chocolates Valor, Chocolates Clavileño, and Turrones Carremi. They all have factories here as well as their shops from when they started selling chocolate to the public. The Valor Chocolate Factory stands out, because of the Chocolate Museum that can be visited by the public for free.
Our Blog
Find places to discover in Costa Blanca, together with us.
If you like this blog about a day in Villajoyosa and discover things to do there, you may like other general updates regarding Costa Blanca as well. If so, please, register on our web page.
That way, you receive our monthly newsletter with our latest news.
There are no comments yet be the first one to write one!