Looking for things to do in Villajoyosa Spain? Then you’re in the right place. We’ve spent quite a while in the Alicante region and Villajoyosa is just one of those villages that captured our hearts from the moment we set foot there.
A day trip turned into 3 days and we have been back several times since. The colorful fisherman’s village is not only wonderful for its colorful houses, but it’s got a laidback vibe, a beautiful beach, a Chocolate Factory and museum (YES! You heard me right!), and plenty of restaurants and cafes to hang out in.
We already found our favorites! Read on to find out more about what to do in Villajoyosa, Spain.
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Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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Things to do in Villajoyosa
Walk through the colorful houses
Villajoyosa is famous for its bright, colorful houses, so walking around the most colorful neighborhood is obviously a must when visiting this charming little village.
Today, these colorful houses are the main draw for tourism in Villajoyosa. Still, back in the day, the reason the fishermen painted their houses in different colors was to easily recognize the houses they owned.
The neighborhood is located behind the south end of the beach (the opposite side of the marina before reaching the river.) Make sure you bring your camera to get the most out of it.
Look for street art
There is some pretty cool street art throughout Villajoyosa. The most popular are those in the colorful fisherman’s district.
I especially love the black and white of the sailor (in the picture below) covering an entire wall just down the street from the colorful paintings replicating the village itself.
But if you walk around and let yourself get lost in the streets, you’ll come across more pieces too.
Take a photo in Cinema Street
Cinema Street, also known as Baixada Cinema, is a really cool little alley we found by accident right above The Bali Blue restaurant (which is great, by the way!) just a few steps from the beach promenade.
It’s a series of wall paintings by different local artists set inside the frames of a camera roll on the wall. I really enjoyed the different pieces of art and it’s a great spot for taking pictures.
Walk through Calle del Pal
Back in the day, when fishing was the main livelihood of Villajoyosa, the village also made and repaired its own nets and ropes for fishing.
It was mainly the fishermen’s wives who had the task of making and repairing the fishing equipment while the men were at sea.
To do this work, they needed a long area to make space for long ropes and nets and Pal Street is one of the places that were used for exactly this.
While there’s no physical evidence of the production itself, it’s pretty interesting to see the place as it was such an important place in the village’s fishing history.
People watch at one of the beach bars
Villa Joyosa’s promenade is packed with beach bars and restaurants. Whenever you need a break from walking, this is the place to be.
You find anything from junk food to healthy fruit smoothies and paella so there are plenty of different places to choose from depending on your preferences.
I really enjoyed the vibe of the promenade bars even off-season.
Step inside the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
The neo-classical Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is set in a charming little square in Villajoyosa’s old town.
It was built in the 16th century and is one of the few fortress churches in the Alicante province. While you can’t see it from the square where the entrance is, the back end of the church is actually built into the old city walls.
Inside, it’s simple but beautiful. I love how the stone arches and dome bring you back to medieval times, even though the church was restored largely in the 18th century.
Stroll along the promenade
Going for a stroll along Villajoyosa’s promenade is a must when visiting the little fisherman’s village. It’s well looked after with plenty of restaurants and bars, as I mentioned above.
The prettiest part is by far the south end of the village where the iconic colorful houses stand, but it’s nice to walk all the way to the marina.
See the view of the houses set on top of the city walls
At the end of the old fisherman’s quarter, you can walk across the river and get a look at the old city walls from a distance.
With the pastel-colored houses built on top of the city wall, it’s quite a unique site. The houses look like they’re part of the medieval wall.
The park below is also nice for a walk and there’s a playground if you have little ones in tow.
Walk through the arch by the Town Hall
By the Town Hall, nestled in the old neighborhood of Villajoyosa, there’s an arch over the street which is super cute.
I decided to mention it here to make sure you don’t miss out on it, as it makes for a lovely photo spot too.
Walk around the marina
If you enjoy watching boats, make sure you take a stroll around the marina. It’s a small, but nice marina and I especially love it at sunset when the silhouettes of the sailboats contrast with the pink sky.
It’s also possible to book boat trips to explore the coast by sea or to head to the beautiful Tabarca Island.
Go to the beach
You can’t visit one of the most picturesque beach towns in Spain without going to the beach. While Villajoyosa is a popular summer destination, I especially love going to the beach in the late summer season from September to October until the cooler weather hits in November.
That season means fewer tourists and more space on the beach to relax, while the temperatures are still perfect for lazy days at the beach.
But even the winter months are popular among those who travel to Villajoyosa off-season, and even though the evenings get cold, a sunny day can easily be in the mid-20s, making it great for sunbathing.
Personally, I think it’s a bit too cold to swim in winter, but I see many others who enjoy it.
Grab a coffee at one of the cute cafés
There are many great cafes in Villajoyosa where you can enjoy a coffee and a sweet treat. We enjoyed quite a few different ones.
Even along the promenade, we came across some charming places with great coffee and a nice atmosphere, so I suggest you just walk around and find your vibe.
Visit the Chocolate Museum
Calling all chocolate lovers! Villajoyosa has its own chocolate factory and museum!
Valor Chocolate has a deep history in Villajoyosa and has been produced at the factory since 1881.
It’s really cool to walk around the museum and learn all about the history of chocolate making in Villajoyosa and of course, buy some tasty souvenirs!
Take a day trip to Alicante
If you’re looking for a day trip from Villajoyosa, I highly recommend going on a day trip to Alicante. It’s easy to get there with the L1 tram which leaves every 30 minutes and the journey takes less than an hour.
There are so many fantastic things to do in Alicante in a day so it will easily become one of the most memorable days of your trip.
Make sure you explore the hilltop Castle of Santa Barbara and savor the best views of the city and its coast.
Besides that, there are several interesting museums in Alicante, like the Archaeological Museum and the Bonfire Museum.
I also love walking around the old town, stepping inside the churches, and browsing the market on the palm-lined promenade.
Hike the Pasarelas de Relleu
For the thrill-seeking traveler, Pasarelas de Relleu is a fantastic day trip from Villajoyosa. The wooden path is pinned 60 meters high on a vertical gorge wall offering exceptional views.
But if you’re just slightly faint-hearted and suffer from vertigo, this path is better to avoid.
It costs 3.50 Euros that you pay at the entrance where you also get a mandatory helmet to wear for the walk.
We walked it before it was finished built in November 2024, but according to the staff, the plan is to make it a full circular route by next season 2025/2026.
Reflections on what to do in Villajoyosa Spain
Summing up, Villajoyosa is a fantastic destination to visit on Costa Blanca whether you’re planning a week of relaxation or a few days stop while campervanning in Spain.
We had planned to stay for a day but loved it so much that we ended up staying several days and it has been a return destination for us.
Happy travels!