This colourful place whose name literally means ‘happy town’ is situated 32 kilometres north of Alicante on the Costa Blanca in Spain. Most visitors to this area head to brash and bold Benidorm, just 10 kilometres further along, thus missing out on a real Costa Blanca jewel.
The first people known to have lived there were from the Bronze Age and the town was also an important centre in Iberian and Roman times, situated as it is at the mouth of the river Sella. The town’s big moment in history came on the 29th July in 1538 when the townspeople managed to fight off an invasion by a horde of pirates, with the help of Saint Martha according to the legend. The saint has been the town’s patron ever since and the historic event is re-enacted with great enthusiasm every summer.
Villajoyosa's Colourful Houses
The town is most famous for its colourful houses. The idea was that fishermen would be able to see their homes from far out to sea. Apparently it was customary to hang out different coloured sheets to signify events such as births and deaths which may have taken place whilst the fishermen were away from home, so that they would know the news before they actually reached port. Many of these colourful beach front houses have been turned into small hotels or holiday apartments. The main beach itself is long and lives up to the name of the coast with its white sand, plus there are numerous smaller beaches and quiet coves to enjoy. It’s a very popular place with visitors in the summer with many people from the big Spanish cities, such as Madrid, having summer houses there. There are narrow little streets to wander along and traditional artisan’s products for sale as well as a proper Spanish market.
Valor Chocolate Factory
The town is also famous for chocolate. It is the home of the Valor chocolate factory. The factory was first started in 1881 by Don Valeriano Lopez Lloret and has grown over the years to the big operation seen today. There is a museum which is housed in the original building at the back of the modern one. The museum is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and yes, you do get to try the products.
Villajoyosa is one of the hidden treasures of Spain’s Costa Blanca, just off the well beaten tourist track and is a wonderful place for visitors seeking a much more traditionally Spanish feel to their holiday. It is also well served with some of the best fresh fish and sea-food restaurants for miles around!
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The first people known to have lived there were from the Bronze Age and the town was also an important centre in Iberian and Roman times, situated as it is at the mouth of the river Sella. The town’s big moment in history came on the 29th July in 1538 when the townspeople managed to fight off an invasion by a horde of pirates, with the help of Saint Martha according to the legend. The saint has been the town’s patron ever since and the historic event is re-enacted with great enthusiasm every summer.
Villajoyosa's Colourful Houses
The town is most famous for its colourful houses. The idea was that fishermen would be able to see their homes from far out to sea. Apparently it was customary to hang out different coloured sheets to signify events such as births and deaths which may have taken place whilst the fishermen were away from home, so that they would know the news before they actually reached port. Many of these colourful beach front houses have been turned into small hotels or holiday apartments. The main beach itself is long and lives up to the name of the coast with its white sand, plus there are numerous smaller beaches and quiet coves to enjoy. It’s a very popular place with visitors in the summer with many people from the big Spanish cities, such as Madrid, having summer houses there. There are narrow little streets to wander along and traditional artisan’s products for sale as well as a proper Spanish market.
Valor Chocolate Factory
The town is also famous for chocolate. It is the home of the Valor chocolate factory. The factory was first started in 1881 by Don Valeriano Lopez Lloret and has grown over the years to the big operation seen today. There is a museum which is housed in the original building at the back of the modern one. The museum is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and yes, you do get to try the products.
Villajoyosa is one of the hidden treasures of Spain’s Costa Blanca, just off the well beaten tourist track and is a wonderful place for visitors seeking a much more traditionally Spanish feel to their holiday. It is also well served with some of the best fresh fish and sea-food restaurants for miles around!
Booking.com
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