Discover Villajoyosa, a vibrant coastal town on Spain’s Costa Blanca. This is the perfect day trip from Alicante or an ideal stop on a road trip along the coast.
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Spain’s Mediterranean coast is dotted with beautiful seaside towns, each boasting unique features, stunning beaches, and plenty of tourist attractions. Among them, one town stands out for its vibrantly colored houses overlooking the sea: Villajoyosa, or La Vila Joiosa in Valencian. I dare say, this could be the Spanish equivalent of the colorful Burano in Italy if you’ve ever heard of it. But Villajoyosa is not as popular, which makes it an even better destination for a day trip.
I visited Villajoyosa in 2024 on a half-day trip from Alicante. It was not planned, as I had never heard of this town before. But as I stopped for an empanada in a small shop in Alicante, I got to talk to the guy working there, and he recommended going to the little town. I didn’t have much time left, but I quickly googled it and decided to head there that same afternoon. I did not regret it!
About Villajoyosa
Villajoyosa translates to “joyful town”, and with its brightly colored houses overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this town certainly looks joyful. Locals also call it simply La Vila.
This lively seaside town sits on Spain’s Costa Blanca. This portion of the Mediterranean coastline is known for its renowned tourist destinations like Benidorm, Alicante, Calpe, and many others.
The town has ancient origins dating back to the Bronze Age. Back during Roman times, the area was occupied by a city known as Alonis. However, the town of Villajoyosa was only founded in the 14th century.
Once a fishing village, Villajoyosa now flourishes due to tourism and the chocolate sector, largely because of the Valor factory established in the town in 1881.
Getting to Villajoyosa from Alicante
Villajoyosa is less than one hour away from Alicante. The easiest way to travel there is by tram line 1, which departs from Plaza de Luceros in central Alicante. The ride takes just under one hour, and the tram stops in the center of Villajoyosa, not far from the old town.
There are actually a few stops in Villajoyosa. I got off at Creueta on my way into town and got on the tram back at La Vila Joiosa. I recommend this option as it allows you to do a bit of a loop around town, especially if you’re short on time, like I was.
If you want to enjoy the sea views, sit on the right side of the tram going to Villajoyosa and on the left going back. The mountain views are not bad, but I prefer sea views myself.
Tram fares vary depending on how many zones you travel through. Villajoyosa is in zone B, so a one-way ticket is €2.80 while a return one is €4.80 (prices as of February 2025). You can find updated fares and additional information on the tram Alacant website.
If you’re planning a longer trip along the coast, you may want to rent a car. I find DiscoverCars to have some of the best deals for car rentals, with a great variety of options.
Getting to Villajoyosa from Valencia
You could also travel to Villajoyosa from Valencia, but the trip is longer, more expensive, and less straightforward. You can take a bus to Benidorm, which takes just under two hours, then the same tram line 1, but in the opposite direction. The whole trip takes around three hours, which I find too long for a day trip. It makes sense if you plan to continue going south.
By car, it’s way easier to reach Villajoyosa from Valencia. The drive takes just under two hours. Again, it’s quite long, but doable if you’re going on a road trip. You could also stop in Benidorm, just a 15-minute drive away.
What to do in Villajoyosa
The seaside town is fairly small, and there aren’t many attractions. You can easily check it out in a few hours or spend a full day visiting a couple of museums and/or relaxing on the beach for a while. So here are the top things to do in Villajoyosa.
Wander around the old town
Simply wandering around the narrow alleyways of the old town is the best way to spend your time in Villajoyosa. You’ll hardly get lost given how small the town is. Just let your instinct guide you through the cobweb of alleys and stairways, admiring the brightly colored houses and glimpses of the beach beyond the rooftops.
I’d recommend setting aside around one hour to wander around without a rush, stopping to take pictures and enjoy the views. However, you can easily walk around in less time.
Visit Vilamuseu
If you’re going to spend more than a few hours exploring Villajoyosa, you can head to Vilamuseu to learn about the local history. The museum has several sections covering ethnography, archeology, geology, decorative arts, and more.
The museum entry fee is only 3€, a bargain for the amount of information and artifacts you can check out. Just keep in mind that the museum is always closed on Mondays and some holidays.
Admire the Cases Penjants de Vilajoiosa from Puente Antiguo
The vibrantly colored houses are everywhere in the old town of Villajoyosa, but I particularly love the view from Puente Antiguo (the old bridge). The mid-18th-century bridge looks over the Amadorio riverbed, now transformed into a city park.
Perched on small cliffs over what used to be a river, the houses are a patchwork of vibrant colors composing a mosaic rising from the cliffside. The view is particularly beautiful in the golden light of sunset.
Have some tasty tapas
No visit to any Spanish town could be complete without experiencing the local cuisine. And what’s better than some tapas to refuel after walking around town?
If you want to stay in the old town and enjoy some tasty tapas with a lovely sea view, head to Teclas Bar Cafeteria for a mix of Spanish and Asian food. Indulge in delicious croquetas de jamón or have some flavorful gyozas.
Alternatively, head to Bar La Tasqueta for a local experience. This affordable tapas bar serves all the Spanish classics, from croquetas to patatas bravas and various fish tapas.
Check out beautiful street art
As you wander around the old town of Villajoyosa, keep your eyes peeled for beautiful street art. Whether it’s a colorful mural that complements the already colorful buildings or a black-and-white one that stands out in stark contrast, there’s a lot of incredible art to admire.
The black-and-white mural below is among my favorites, particularly for the way it stands out among the brightly colored buildings, but there are many others that are super cool. I won’t spoil it for you. Just make your way through the intricate cobweb of alleys, and you’ll be sure to find some awesome little gems.
Relax on the beach
Extending along nearly the entire town of Villajoyosa, the vast sandy beach lies right in front of the colorful houses, offering a picturesque spot for a relaxing beach day. During peak summer months, the beach can get crowded, but it’s large enough so everyone can find a spot.
Whether you visit in the summer and want to go for a swim or you stop by in the low season and just want to take a break from exploring, Platja de Villajoyosa is the perfect spot. Lie on the soft sand or walk to the end of the breakwater for a beautiful view of the town and its iconic houses.
Sample tasty chocolate at the Valor Chocolate Museum
A little bit outside the town center, you can visit another cool museum dedicated to the iconic Valor Chocolate. At the Valor Chocolate Museum, you can not only learn about the family company’s history and chocolate-making process but also sample delicious chocolate.
You can only visit the museum on a guided tour, which lasts 45 minutes and is available in English and Spanish. The visit is free, but you must reserve online on the museum’s website to ensure your spot. The museum is closed on Sundays.
Explore more of Spain
Spain is one of my favorite countries in Europe, maintaining a solid spot in the top three. I travel to Spain every year, discovering new and amazing places every time. If you’re also a fan of the Mediterranean country or you’re visiting for the first time, you may want to check out some of my other articles.
25 Amazing Free Things to Do in Valencia, Spain
25 Amazing Free Things to Do in Barcelona, Spain
Visit Vilafamés, one of Spain’s Most Beautiful Villages
Walking Via de la Plata: How to Plan for the Camino
Discover the Fantastic World of El Jardín de Peter
10 Must-See Places in Tenerife on Your First Trip
Travel Resources
Finally, here are my favorite travel resources to help you plan your trip to Villajoyosa and beyond.
| Purpose | Website/App | Description | Book Here |
| Accommodation | Booking.com | My favorite website for great accommodation for different budgets. | Find a Place |
| Flights | Skyscanner | The platform I typically use for finding the most affordable flights. | Find Flights |
| Cheap Buses | Flixbus | My favorite app for cheap bus fares around most of Europe and the US. | Bus Rides |
| Transportation | Omio | You can book everything from buses and trains to ferry rides. | Transportation |
| Train Travel | Trainline | If you travel by train, this app is great for booking rides in Europe. | Train Rides |
| Travel Insurance | SafetyWing | One of the best travel medical insurances for frequent travelers. | Get Insured |
| Activities | Manawa | A great platform to book activities and adventures with local hosts. | Find Activities |
| Experiences | GetYourGuide | Another great platform for tours and experiences with lots of options. | Experiences |
| Car Rental | DiscoverCars | My go-to platform for car rental anywhere in the world. | Rent a Car |
| eSIM | Airalo | My favorite app for buying digital SIM cards when traveling abroad. | Get an eSIM |
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