Villajoyosa: Visit Spain’s Most Joyful City
After spending a few hours admiring Villajoyosa’s colorful buildings, gorgeous beaches, and relaxing yet delicious eateries, you will hardly be surprised that the English translation of Villajoyosa is “joyful town.” Located in Alicante on Spain’s Mediterranean Coast, Villajoyosa is the ideal spot to spend a day or two soaking in the sun.
One of Villajoyosa’s most striking features is a series of brightly colored buildings which face the sea. Local lore states that residents of Villajoyosa opted for the most vibrant paint they could find so that local fishermen could always find their way back home when they were out at sea. Visitors can view Villajoyosa’s technicolor buildings up-close by taking a stroll through the town’s historic district. Travelers can also rent a boat or join a boat tour to view Villajoyosa’s colorful skyline from the sea as generations of fishermen have.
One of the grand highlights of any visit to Villajoyosa is a stop at the Valor Chocolate Factory and Museum. If you have an insatiable sweet tooth, you will be on cloud nine learning about how some of Spain’s finest chocolate is made, Naturally, Valor Chocolates also features an expansive menu of chocolate treats, including rich, hot drinkable chocolate that truly puts virtually all other hot cocoa to shame.
Photo by depositphotos.com
Villajoyosa is home to numerous sand and pebble beaches. Playa Centro is a sweeping white sand beach with plenty of room throw down a towel beneath a palm tree and relax next to the water. If your pup is traveling alongside you, consider a visit to dog-friendly Playa El Xarco—a small, rugged pebble beach that never fails to excite and invigorate dogs and humans alike.
After you have had some fun in the sun, grabbing a drink and a bite at one of Villajoyosa’s stellar restaurants is an excellent way to round out a perfectly joyful day. Club Nautic may sound exclusive, but it’s actually an incredibly laid back eatery with a sweeping view of Villajoyosa’s picture-perfect harbor. Villajoyosa is celebrated for its delectable fresh seafood. Most of Villajoyosa’s restaurants serve freshly caught squid, octopus, and mussels.
There are plenty of charming European towns which claim to offer visitors a quaint, joyful experience. The vibrant buildings, bright sunshine, delicious food, and generally chill vibe of Villajoyosa is truly something special. If you have always yearned to explore happiness in town form, a trip to Villajoyosa is an absolute must. For more travel inspiration across the region, visit the official Costa Blanca tourism website.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Villajoyosa / la Vila Joiosa, Alicante, Spain (town center reference)
- Coordinates
- 38.51008, -0.22962
- Access
- Reach the town via the AP-7 or coastal N-332. Tram line L1 runs hourly throughout the day, with direct connections listed as about 50 minutes from Alicante and 15 minutes from Benidorm; year-round buses also connect those cities and Valencia.
- Admission
- The town is a public destination with no single admission ticket. Museums, guided visits and events may charge separately; check the individual venue listing.
- Time needed
- Vilamuseu’s Historic Old Town Route is listed as taking 1 hour. This is the museum’s mapped heritage route, not a duration for all of Villajoyosa or its beaches.
- Opening hours
- Villajoyosa Tourist Office (C/ Colón 40): Monday–Friday 09:00–14:00 and 16:00–19:00; Saturday 10:00–14:00. Hours refer to the office only.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-29
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-30
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
Location
Use the zoom buttons or pinch to zoom. Use arrow keys to pan when the map is focused.
Interactive map loads when in view.
Explorer Passport
Next badge: Trail Scout
Unlocked after exploring 5 different unusual places.
0 of 5 places explored
Discover more from Unusual Places
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
