Villajoyosa

Villajoyosa, colour by the sea between Alicante and Benidorm

Villajoyosa, la Vila Joiosa in Valencian, is a fishing town 32 km northeast of Alicante, in the Marina Baja district. It sits right next to Benidorm yet keeps a character of its own: a working fishing port, 15 km of coast and an old town that runs all the way down to the shore. It is one of the most recognisable places on the Costa Blanca, and one look at its seafront explains why.

The coloured houses and the old town

The picture everyone remembers is the row of houses painted blue, red, green and ochre beside the water. Tradition says the fishermen coloured them so they could pick out their own home from the sea, and the habit ended up defining the whole town. Behind it lies a maze of narrow streets ringed by 16th century Renaissance walls, with the fortress church of the Asunción standing at the top. The town grew from the Roman city of Allon, whose remains, including monumental baths, can be seen at the Vilamuseu.

Coloured houses of the old town, la Vila Joiosa. Photo: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Beaches for every season

The town spreads its 15 km of coastline across broad sandy stretches and quiet coves. Playa Centro, next to the old town, is the most central and easy to reach; Playa Paraíso, a little further north, offers golden sand and clear water with plenty of room. Those after something smaller will find El Bol Nou, La Caleta or Racó del Conill, pebble and rock coves tucked between low cliffs. A seafront promenade links many of these beaches and comes alive at dusk.

Villajoyosa beach and seafront. Photo: PiotrMig / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Chocolate, fishing and fiesta

Villajoyosa has made chocolate since the 19th century. Brands such as Valor and Clavileño were born here, and the Valor museum keeps old mills and presses that tell the story. The sea is the other great legacy: the fish market still auctions the daily catch, and local cooking revolves around it, with rice dishes and seafood stews. In late July the Moros y Cristianos festival fills the beach with a night time landing, a reenactment listed as of International Tourist Interest.

Cacao mill at the Valor chocolate museum. Photo: Tamorlan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Getting there and around

La Vila is well connected. The Alicante TRAM light rail stops at several stations in the town and links both to the city and to Benidorm, so you can live here without depending on a car. By road, the AP-7 motorway and the N-332 put Alicante about 32 km away and keep Alicante-Elche airport within an easy drive. It is a practical spot, close to everything yet with the calm pace of a seaside town.

Buying in Villajoyosa

Right now we are working here with three new build apartments, one and two bedrooms, made for anyone who wants a fresh home near the beach without giving up the feel of the old town. There are only a few units, so it is worth seeing them unhurried and comparing aspect and distance to the water. If you are looking around here, let's talk.