Close to Benidorm, less
then 20 minutes with the tram, is the small town of Villajoyosa.
Almost no tourists from Benidorm go there and maybe for the good, so
we can see the authentic town without the crowds...
Villajoyosa is certainly
not far away. You can reach it by the tram or by bus and even by
bike. Of course it is even more easy by rental car, but I always
prefer using the public transport.
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| Pictoresque streets |
We did the excursion on
our own by tram. There are two stops for the old town. I would
suggest going to Villajoyosa on Thursdays. If you get off the first
stop of Villajoyosa “Creueta”, you can do two things: You can go
to the big VALOR chocolate factory for a free tour (If you get of the
tram, it is the big street to the right). Or you can take a look at
the big market right across the street. It is more a locals market,
but certainly worth a stroll. After the market and/or the chocolate
factory, you just take the Av. Joan Charles I towards the old town.
Right after the street gets smaller, you will see a small indoor
markethall. Do go in and have a look. Besides the meat and fish,
there are a lot of local specialties being sold in this small
markethall. Keep following the street until you reach the big
intersection. Cross the intersection and take the small Calle Major
of the old town. Notice how quite these old towns can be?
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| Small square in the old town |
Walk around for a bit and
try all the small streets of the center. The houses are painted in
beautiful pastel colors. Take a look in the church of the old town,
there is a magnificent painting which depicts the constant struggle
and fright the inhabitants had for pirate attacks. Villa Joyosa was
cramped in by a big city wall, allowing the town to survive so close
to the sea... Another great stroll is by the beach. You have a great
view at the different pastel colors of the houses. They say the
bright colors were painted on the houses so the fishermen would find
their home more quicker... There must be some truth in it, as I heard
the same story in a brightly colored town in Italy...
A must do in Villajoyosa
is to eat the local delicacies: Churros con chocolate. Best bet of
course is the Valor Chocolateria at the Av. Del Pais Valencia (that's
the big street you've crossed to get to the old town). From the big
intersection (coming from the old town) it is one block to the right.
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| Calle Major of Villajoyosa |
There are some other
chocolateria's in Villajoyosa, but strangely enough not so much. A
lot of folks in Villajoyosa eat this greasy and sugary -but oohh so
gooood- snack still as a strong breakfast. Good Churros are served
freshly fried with molten and hot Chocolate and not with chocolate
milk (this is what you sometimes get in Benidorm and it is less
tasty!). If you want to be sure, just ask the waitor.
That is all there is to
do. If the temperature is rising, you could go the fine beach in
front of the old town, but then you had to think of bringing a beach
towel and your bikini.
To leave Villajoyosa from
the old town, I would suggest going back to the intersection and
going to the left, over the bridge. You will get the nice photo
opportunity of the view of the houses 'hanging' above the cliff as a
bonus! Take the second road after the bridge to your right, the
“Carrer Mestre Pons” and you will see the tram stop “La Vila
joiosa” at your left.
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| The beachfront of Villajoyosa |
So Villa joyosa, although
not really popular and also very small, is definitely worth a visit.
It is not big and vibrant as Alicante, nor does it have a lot of
shops as Altea, but who likes a authentic little town and chocolate,
this is the place to be. When we walked around the old town, an old
lady came out and started making a fuss. Apparently she couldn't take
her cafetiere apart and she needed a young fellow to do it. I was
nearly dragged into her tiny house to unscrew the old metal
cafetiere. The town and its people are that close to each other,
miles apart from the atmosphere of Benidorm!
Some more charming pictures I took in Villajoyosa underneath the article.
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Benidorm Markets
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| The view on the 'hanging' houses from the bridge. |
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| This pet is having an early Sïesta in the morning sun. |
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| Pets roam the quiet streets in Villa Joyosa. |
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| The beachfront is lined with inviting terraces and restaurants |
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| The traditional life is still present in Villa Joyosa |
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Relics of the past of La Vila Joiosa. The wall that kept
the pirates out of the fishermen's town. |
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