Tourist Information

Villajoyosa - Hanging houses.

View of the Villajoyosa rooftops

History

This town, in the province of Alicante, has always been closely related to the Sea. Besides its traditional fishing activity, Villajoyosa developed another industry resulting from its Ultramar commerce: the fabrication of chocolate. In the XVII and XVIII Centuries, Spain imported an abundant amount of chocolate from Venezuela and Ecuador. Even in those days, Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa) was already famous for its chocolate across Europe.

La Vila holds many other attractions, such as the fish auctions in its harbour, the old town's fortifications and the intense coloured facades of its houses, which originated so that fishermen could view their houses from the Sea. The town's pontificated old quarters are also worth being contemplated.

Beaches

Villajoyosa offers very well looked after beaches with crystal and tranquil waters:

"Playa del Centro" ("Centre Beach"):: Situated in the old quarters of the city.
Type of beach: Sand.
Length: 1.190 m.
"Paradis" Beach:: Situated at 1 km from the town´s centre, direction Alicante N-332.
Type of beach: pebbles and sand.
Length: 719 m.
"Bon Nou" Beach:: Situated at 2 km. from the town's centre, direction Alicante N-332.
Type of beach: pebbles and sand.
Length: 237 m.
"La Caleta" Beach:: Type of beach: pebbles and sand.
Length: 139 m.
"Esparrelló" Beach:: Situated at 1'8 km. from the town's centre, direction Alicante N-332.
Type of beach: pebbles and sand.
Length: 100 m.
"Dels Estudiants" (Students) Beach: From the town's centre, next to the fishing harbour.
Type of beach: pebbles and sand.
Length: 100 m.
"Varadero" and "Tío Roig" (Uncle Roig") Beaches.
"El Xarco" ("The Puddle") Beach: Situated at 3'5 km from the town's centre, direction Alicante N-332.
Type of beach: pebbles and sand.
Length: 251 m.

Gastronomy

The star products of this area are fish and rice. The most typical dish is "arrós a banda", which is a rice dish made with a substantial fish stock.

Additionally, different types of roe, mackerel fillet and tuna fillet ("mojama" or "sangatxo") saltings are also very popular. Regarding traditional desserts, "boniato" (a type of sweet potato) pastries, "tortada de d´ametlla" (almond tart) and of course their famous and exquisite chocolates. Another artisan sweet that is worth mentioning is their"turrón de la piedra" (almond nougat); its soft texture and lemon hint makes it irresistible.

Fiestas

17th January - Saint Anthony Abad´s Festivity.
25th January - "Mig Any" ("Half a year") Fiestas.
April - Easter.
May - "Commemoration of the Population Letter and Saint Marta´s Tears" Fiestas.
9th June, "Poble Nou" ("New Village") Fiesta.
23rd June, Saint John´s.
29th June - Saint Peter.
16th July - Virgin Carmen´s Festivity.
24th July - Moores and Christians in honour of Saint Marta, these are the most important fiestas in Villajoyosa, declared as a "National Tourist Interest". They have been celebrated for more than 250 years, in honour to Saint Marta, and commemorate what happened in 1538, when the berberic pirates, commanded by Zále-Arraez, tried to attack the town. According to legends, Saint Marta saved the habitants of the villa, by provoking a flood that hauled the enemy's boats and avoided the corsairs' arrival to the coast. In appreciation, the town named her their patron saint.
22nd August - "Pati Fosc" neighbourhood fiestas in honour of Saint Bartolomé.
29th September - Saint Michael´s Fiestas.

Visits and excursions of interest

The city of Villa Joiosa´s main attractions are in terms of Cultural Tourism. Villajoyosa owns an intense history from Iberian times, through to industrialisation, until nowadays, which can be appreciated in its museums and historic places.

"La Barbera dels Aragonés".
Ethnographic and Archaeological Museum.
Valor Chocolates Factory and Museum.
Clavileño Chocolates Factory and Museum.

You are invited to visit the town's historic and artistic old quarters, passing through "El Portal" arch, the church's square, the Asunción Church, Santa Marta's Chapel, the Roman Funerary Altar and all the streets that compose the historic centre of the town.

The city has a large quantity of places that are worth seeing, some that may be of your interest are:

"El Baix" Tower.
"El Xarco" Tower.
Saint Joseph´s Tower.
"D'Aguilo´s" Tower.
"Barbera´s" Villa.
"Barrio del Mercado" (The Market).
"La Creueta" ("The Little Cross").
"l'Almiserá" Roman Monument.
Saint Bartolomé Hermitage.
Olimpia Theatre.
Censal Park.
Fish Market.
Fishing Harbour.

Nearby coastal towns:

Benidorm
Altea.
Calpe.
Moraira.
Javea.
Denia.
Alicante.

Nearby inland towns:

Guadalest´s Castell.
Algar´s Waterfalls (Callosa d'Ensarria).
Canelobre´s Caves (Busot).
Elche.
Tabarca´s Island.
Route of the Castles "Novelda, Petrel, Sax, Villena, Biar, Xátiva,.."

Theme Parks

: Aqualandia,
the greatest water park in Europe, located in Benidorm, a perfect place to enjoy water rides.
www.aqualandia.net
: Mundomar,
a paradise of nature. Next to Aqualandia.
www.mundomar.es
: Terra Mítica,
to Egypt, Rome, Greece, Iberia and the Mediterranean Islands.
www.terramiticapark.com
: Terra Natura,
travel around the typical villages of Asia, America and Europe.
www.terranatura.com

Shows and Leisure

: Benidorm Palace.
Variety show, with international performances.
www.benidormpalace.es
: Medieval Tournament.
Dinner-show. Enjoy a Medieval dinner with Alfaz del Pi´s Castle Counts, whilst knights fight to defend their honour and prevent being sent to the Dungeons of Terror.
www.desafiomedieval.com
: Foso del Terror (Dungeons of terror).
Attraction where you will walk through the scary dungeons of Alfaz's Medieval Castle that will make you experience great moments of terror.
www.fosodelterror.com
: Molino Benidorm.
Comical-musical drag queen show.
: Casino Mediterráneo
www.casinomediterraneo.es