Free walking tours in Villajoyosa and what to see

Must-sees

The first thing you will see in Villajoyosa is the colourful houses of the old town, overlooking the river Amadorio and Playa Centro. They were painted this way so that sailors could recognise their homes from the sea. Climb the narrow streets to the church of the Asunción, a fortress-like Gothic church, and look for the remains of the Renaissance wall that protected the town from attacks by sea.

Chocolate-making is another hallmark, and several local factories have a museum or offer visits. Vilamuseu, the municipal museum, tells the history of the town from Roman times, including the Bou Ferrer wreck, a Roman ship sunk off the coast. If you want quiet beaches, there are rocky coves with clear water to the south and north of the centre. In July the Moors and Christians festival is held, with a landing on the beach.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours are not common in Villajoyosa. The usual option is a guided visit to the colourful old town, covering its seafaring history, the wall and the church, sometimes ending at a chocolate factory with a tasting. There are also routes on the underwater heritage and boat trips along the coast. Day trips are easy from here: Guadalest, with its castle on the rock, and the Fonts de l'Algar are the most popular. Alicante, Altea and Benidorm are close enough for an afternoon.

How long to spend

One well-used day is enough to see the old town, the museum and a chocolate factory. Spend the morning walking among the colourful houses and the church, and the afternoon at Vilamuseu or on chocolate. If you are on holiday, two or three days let you add a cove or two and a trip to Guadalest or the mountains.

Where to stay

The best area to stay is around Playa Centro and the old town. From there you can walk to the colourful houses, the promenade, the restaurants and the museum. If you prefer calm and sea views, there are apartments and hotels in the coastal developments, although you will need a car or the tram linking the town with Alicante and Benidorm to get around.