This guide to the best places to see in Villajoyosa will help you not miss anything important in one of the most beautiful and colorful towns on the Alicante coast.
The historical capital of the Marina Baixa region and 20 minutes by road from Benidorm, Villajoyosa (Vila Joiosa in Valencian) is famous for its picturesque facades painted in bright colors of its well-preserved fishing district, for its gastronomy based on traditional rice, fish, and shellfish, and for its 15 kilometers of coastline that hide more than ten beaches that make it another holiday destination on the Costa Blanca.
Although any time of the year is a good time to get to know it, without a doubt, a good time to visit this municipality is on July 29, when the popular Moors and Christians festivities are celebrated, declared of International Tourist Interest, which honors Santa Marta (Patroness from the city).
Even though half a day is enough to get to know all its points of interest, if you come in summer you can extend your stay and take the opportunity to bathe in its excellent beaches and make day trips to the best beaches in Alicante and nearby towns such as Calpe, Alicante capital, Altea, Guadalest or the tourist Benidorm.
Based on the experience of the time we spent in this town during our route through the Valencian Community by car, we have made this list of what we think are the 10 essential places to visit in Villajoyosa. Let’s start!
1. Promenade
After leaving the car in the Avenida del Puerto car park, one of the best things to do in Villajoyosa is to walk along the promenade that runs parallel to Central Beach and reaches the port area, where the ferry boats arrive every afternoon. fishermen to leave their catch at the market for auction.
This stretch of promenade also has some of the best restaurants to eat 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 promenade itself, we advise you to spend some time on the section of Calle Arsenal that concentrates on some of the most beautiful fishermen’s houses and is another places to see in Villajoyosa (Alicante)
In the past, these old houses were painted in different colors so that fishermen could identify their home from the sea and although their use has changed, they have been kept in perfect condition until they have become one of the great tourist attractions of Villajoyosa.
3. Old Town
From Arsenal Street, you can start a route through the steep streets surrounded by colorful facades of the old town, one of the best preserved in Alicante and the Valencian Community.
We advise you to take a stroll through its main streets: Carrer Pou, Carrer Mayor, Carrer del Pal, and Sant Pere, which will allow you to observe its houses and most photogenic corners, as well as important buildings such as the Town Hall and the Church of the Assumption, of which We will talk in the next point.
4. Church of the Assumption of Villajoyosa
In the highest part of the walled historic center is the charming Plaza Castelar, surrounded by colorful houses and presided over by the Church of the Assumption, the main religious temple to see in Villajoyosa.
After having a drink on one of the terraces in the square, you can enter this church-fortress built in the mid-16th century under the reign of Felipe II to see a 16th-century wood carving with the image of the patron saint of the city and various ashlars from the ancient Roman city, known as Allon.
5. Walls of Villajoyosa
Leaving the old town through Plaza Castelar, you can see a section of the old walls and towers that surrounded Villajoyosa, located on Calle Costera de La Mar.
This defensive complex declared a site of cultural interest, was built in the 16th century to protect itself from Berber attacks and suffered serious damage during the Succession War.
An excellent way to see the inner part of the wall is to dine at the magnificent DRoca restaurant, which offers a menu with excellent dishes and is our favorite in the city of Villajoyosa.
