Villajoyosa: attractions, tours and tickets

With its rainbow-coloured houses lining the seafront, Villajoyosa is one of the most distinctive towns on the Costa Blanca. Known locally as La Vila Joiosa, the Joyful Town, this former fishing town mixes Mediterranean charm with sandy beaches, a working harbour and a long love affair with chocolate. The colourful fishermen’s houses are hard to miss, while the old town behind them is made up of narrow streets, historic buildings and small squares worth wandering through.

There’s plenty more to discover beyond the colourful seafront. The town has a long chocolate-making tradition, with the town’s port once playing an important role in bringing cocoa to the area. Today, you can learn more about this sweet side of local history at the Valor chocolate museum. Along the coast, the promenade, fishing harbour and long sandy beaches make Villajoyosa an easy place to spend a few hours, whether you’re here for the views, a swim or a taste of its famous chocolate.

Top three things to do in Villajoyosa

1. Wander through the colourful old town

The town’s painted houses are one of the first things you’ll notice in Villajoyosa. Walk along the seafront and into the old quarter, where colourful façades brighten up narrow streets and little squares. Along the way, you’ll spot parts of the old town walls, stop at a few scenic viewpoints and get a feel for local life away from the seafront.

2. Discover Villajoyosa’s chocolate tradition

Chocolate is a big part of Villajoyosa’s identity, thanks to more than a century of local production. At the Valor chocolate museum, you can learn how cocoa arrived here, find out more about the history of chocolate-making and see how it’s produced. And, of course, it’s a good excuse to pick up something sweet afterwards.

3. Relax on the beach

Villajoyosa has plenty of sandy beaches and smaller coves along its coastline, so finding a spot by the Mediterranean is easy. Playa Centro is right next to the old town, making it a handy place for a swim between exploring the streets. For a quieter spot, follow the coast and look out for the smaller beaches and coves nearby.