La Vila Joiosa: Old Town, Sea and History

La Vila Joiosa combines a historic coastal center with archaeological remains, beaches and maritime themes. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, you can start by considering which aspect of the town interests you most: the walls and churches of the old town, a walk by the sea, cultural history or time at the beaches. Festivals and local food culture also offer different starting points for planning.

A walled coastal town with a history

The historic center is a small, walled coastal settlement on an elevated promontory facing southeast, next to the mouth of the Amadorio. The historic ensemble of Villajoyosa is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The town walls and the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción are also protected as Bienes de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. The church is a Gothic fortified church. Along the Costera de la Mar, the Renaissance walls date from around 1550; they were built after Berber corsairs destroyed the earlier walls in 1443.

These architectural remains bring together several chapters of the town’s history in a compact area: the fortification of the historic center and the church’s defensive role are part of the story, as is the later Renaissance wall. This makes it possible to explore the old town with its architectural history in mind, rather than viewing each building in isolation.

Roman remains and coastal experiences

The public baths of Roman Allon were built between 85 and 110 AD beside the town’s forum. The forum is now located at Plaza de la Generalitat. Another archaeological destination on the coast is the Bou Ferrer: the sunken Roman merchant ship lies off the coast of Villajoyosa. Since 2013, the Bou Ferrer project has included visits and strictly supervised diving to discover the wreck. Check in advance whether visits or dives are available for your dates.

At Playa El Torres stands the Torre de Sant Josep, considered the best-preserved Roman funerary monument on the Iberian Peninsula. The beach is a semi-urban pebble and sand beach surrounded by vegetation. Its beach area is 560 meters long; there is also a promenade and opportunities for diving. In the town center, a sandy beach stretches for more than 1,300 meters. At Basseta l’Oli, there is an accessible bathing service. The beaches therefore offer different coastal settings, from a pebble and sand beach surrounded by vegetation to a long sandy beach in the center.

Walks, water and festival days

La Colada de la Costa is a circular route about eight kilometers long, for which an approximate duration of two hours is given. It runs between Playa del Torres and Torre del Aguiló in La Cala and is rated medium to easy. Comparing the distance and time required can help with planning: you can think of the coastal route as a longer walk, without treating the approximate duration as an exact walking time.

There are six snorkeling routes at the various beaches of La Vila Joiosa. The underwater features described include fish and Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows. Kayaking, sailing, diving, rowing and windsurfing are also taught and practiced at the Escola de Mar. Depending on your interests, the focus can therefore be on a coastal walk, looking underwater or watersports.

The Moros y Cristianos festivals are recognized as a Festival of International Tourist Interest. The annual festival program takes place from July 24 to 31 and includes El Desembarc: a staged historical landing with lights, gunpowder and festivities. Since the exact festival dates should be checked before your trip, it is worth checking the schedule if you would like to plan your stay around it.

Museums, town history and local products

Vilamuseu is the town museum of La Vila Joiosa and the hub of its network of museums and monuments. It also houses the Centro de Interpretación del Pecio Bou Ferrer. The interpretive route “La Vila y el mar” explores the town’s historical relationship with the sea, fishing and the harbor. The Ruta Conjunto Histórico begins beside the tower at the intersection of Plaza de la Generalitat and Costera de la Mar. The starting panel is accessible to wheelchair users and offers large print, Braille, a tactile map, multilingual QR content and a video in Spanish Sign Language.

La Barbera dels Aragonés tells another chapter of the town’s history: the 17th-century country house was converted into a romantic palace in the 19th century. On display are furnishings and an extensive collection of household items from various origins. The Chocolates Valor Chocolate Museum was recognized by the Generalitat Valenciana as the Museo Valenciano del Chocolate in 2008. It traces the development of chocolate production using historical machines and offers a factory tour followed by a tasting.

The Mercat de La Vila is also part of the local food culture. It is the town’s central food market and a showcase for products from La Vila Joiosa. Some stalls prepare purchased products in small portions to eat on site. At the harbor, visitors can experience the lively afternoon auction of the fish and seafood caught that day; check the details locally.

Discover more destinations: Las Virtudes, El Fondó De Les Neus, Catral, Alfafara, Pedreguer, Rojales, Orihuela, Ibi.

For the broader travel overview: Alicante.