All About La VILA JOIOSA, Villajoyosa - Villajoyosa literally means the 'joyful village'. It is famous as a centre for the production of chocolate, which could be the reason for its name! The town has three chocolate factories, all of which can be visited. The Valor Chocolate factory is perhaps the most famous, but there is also the Perez Factory and the Clavileno Factory, so you'll be spoilt for choice!
All About La VILA JOIOSA, Villajoyosa
La Vila Joiosa has over 3 kilometres of beaches, a lovely marina, a beach front promenade all along the central beach and the iconic multi coloured houses of the fisherman. La Vila joiosa is also well known for its impressive Moors and Christian Fiesta usually held during the last week of July where there is a live re-enactment of the landing of the Moorish Army on the beaches at dawn, an all-day battle which is finally brought to a close when the Arab leaders and their armies are thrown into the sea.
Places of interest and ideas of things to do in Vila Joiosa
- Beach: long sandy beach.
- Promenade: beside beach from the multi coloured houses to the marina.
- Marina: at the end of the central beach, the fish auctions take place Monday to Friday at 17.30 in the Lonja.
- Multi Coloured Fishermen’s Houses: great backdrop to central beach.
- Chocolate Factories: free to visit, each has a museum and shop
- Market: large Thursday morning.
- Moors & Christian Fiesta: held every July especially spectacular as the armies arrive on boats.
All About La VILA JOIOSA
One of the most important monuments of the city is the Iglesia-fortaleza de la Asunción, built in the XVI century this is one of the three church-fortresses of the province of Alicante and declared an Asset of Cultural interest. The church is located in the old town with its main entrance located in the Plaza de la Iglesia, number six.
Being a fortress church, it was not only used for worship and prayer but also for defence against pirate attacks, the apse serves as the tower of the wall. As a fortress, it had windows for archers or, later, soldiers with pistols or arcabuces, to fire. In this way they could defend the population that was hiding in the church.
Vila Joiosa Valor Chocolate Factory
Parking: is on the side of the road wherever there is space.
From here: the chocolate factory is right beside you enter for your tour of the museum. More information here.
Perez Chocolates – 130 years of tradition
The chocolate factory is definitely worth a visit. As you step over the threshold of this small chocolate factory, the smell of melting chocolate and tradition will warm your heart and senses.
Mr Perez the current generation owner will guide you around this beautiful, traditional chocolate factory. Watch the chocolate being shelled, ground and melted.
You will experience such a unique and genuine insight into a chocolate factory who still follow traditions from over 100 years ago.
The chocolate shop awaits you! A secret door is unlocked, and you walk into a traditional and fantastic small shop of pure chocolate heaven.
Devour samples of freshly made chocolate and treat yourself to a bar or three of the exceptional Perez Chocolate.
Visit the Roman ruins of Allon
Located in Vila Joyosa was the ancient Roman city of Allon. The remains of these Roman Baths are very well-preserved. Masonry walls, as well as service rooms and a sauna enclosure with several heat rooms, are among the remains. These baths can be found on Canalejas Street. Recovery work for these Roman baths is still ongoing.
All About La VILA JOIOSA Villajoyosa
Torre Malladeta - Visit the 19th Century Tower. This is situated just south of the town and gives you wonderful views in all directions. The tower was built by a famous politician, head of the Republican Party, and psychiatrist Dr. José Mª Esquerdo, at the end of the 19th century as a place of study. From there, he also controlled the psychiatric wards of the sanatorium he had in La Vila, located on the Paradís beach.
Torre Malladeta
The Iberian sanctuary, dedicated to the Mother Goddess (the Tanit of the Carthaginians) built in 4th century BC was once located on the slope and top of the hill, where the 19th century tower can now be seen. In the year 100 B.C. the former buildings were demolished, and a series of rooms were built on terraces on the hillside. Fourteen of them have been found. There are information boards giving you a detailed history of this area.
It is said that if you stand at the tower during equinox (21st - 22nd March and September) sunrise can be seen rising in a spectacular display from the top of Benidorm´s Island, this phenomenon was used to calculate the beginning of the agricultural year.
Also, here you will find 'Villa Giacomina'. A rural mansion which was built in 1920.
There is a network of paths with fantastic views of the Mediterranean and a small cover of rocks and crystalline water 'la cala de la Malladeta' quite difficult to access between the cliffs, but well worth to visit.
Beaches in Villa Joiosa
Platja (Playa) Centro Beach
The main beach in the town centre of Vila Joiosa. A lovely wide sandy beach with palm trees with pedestrianised promenade lined with bars and restaurants.
To the north of Vila joiosa and very close to Benidorm the Raco del Conill beach is a naturist beach for people who want to sunbathe in the nude
Platja Playa L´Esparrello Beach
Two kilometres south of the town centre of Vila Joyosa, a very quiet beach ideal for fishing and nude bathing as this is a nudista beach.
Platja La Caleta Beach
To the south of Vila Joiosa, this pebbly Beach is the beach that is used by the Euro Tennis hotel and the five-star hotel El Montiboli
Platja Bon Nou Beach
To the south of Vila Joiosa and also sometimes known as Bol Nou, nice, sheltered bay with good sand and with a beach bar, known in Spain as a Chiringuito
Playa Paradise Beach
Good beach with lovely palm trees, just south of Vila Joyosa and one of the most popular beaches.
De Torre Beach
To the north of Vila Joiosa and the Torre beach pebbled but very quiet and hard to find so it is a good beach to escape the crowds. A nice place to walk and have a drink at the beach bar.
Tio Roig - Varadero Beach
Popular beach just to the north of the town centre and port. Good quality sandy beach, busy with beach bar
Xarco Beach
This quiet beach is the southernmost beach in Villajoyosa, it is noted for the famous Xarco watchtower. Situated in the area of Tossal del Mar and accessed from the N-332 road.
Estudiantes Beach
To the north of Villajoyosa and close to the port and town of Villajoyosa.
La Vila Joisa History
The oldest archaeological remains found in the city date back to the bronze age and are remains of an ancient Iberian settlement. But it was not until the time of the Roman Empire when the city was an important economic and social growth becoming a major city of Hispania. you can still see the ruins of Allon, as the town was named during Roman times,
In the Middle Ages, this was an uninhabited region when Jaime II of Aragon decided to found a city in the 1300s to repopulate the area and protect it from the Barbary pirates, who at that time were pillaging and terrorizing the coastal populations. In the 16th century, seeing that pirate attacks were continuous and relentless, Philip II had built new walls and a system of defensive towers around the coast to protect the city.
Villa Joyosa´s famous Moors and Christians Fiesta - 24th to 31st July 2023
This is a based on a historical re-enactment of a famous Moorish Christian battle which took place in 1538, led by Zallé Arraez. This fiesta includes a full naval landing, battles on the beach, wonderful floral displays, magnificent processions and live music throughout the town.
