Villajoyosa Costa Blanca one of the Best Places to Visit in Spain
People
at certain stages in their lives, write lists of things to do before
they hit decadal milestones. Taking part in a Spanish fiesta should be
on one of those lists, no matter what their age group.
Picturesque bays, long sandy beaches, underlining rocky coastlines, overlooking crystal clear blue seas. The hinterland undulates slightly, revealing orange groves and verdant valleys. Its attraction doesn't stop there.
Villajoyosa is a coastal town located 32 km from Alicante on the N-332 coast road. It is considered the capital of the "Marina Baixa" and also known by the name "La Vila"
Picturesque bays, long sandy beaches, underlining rocky coastlines, overlooking crystal clear blue seas. The hinterland undulates slightly, revealing orange groves and verdant valleys. Its attraction doesn't stop there.
Villajoyosa is a coastal town located 32 km from Alicante on the N-332 coast road. It is considered the capital of the "Marina Baixa" and also known by the name "La Vila"
Top ten things to do in Villajoyosa
1. Mores and Christians Fiesta “Desembarco.”2. The central beach, coloured fisherman’s house and many bar/restaurants.
3. La Vila Thursday Market.
4. The marina and club nautical
5. A stroll round the town center shops.
6. Watch the paella party in the main town part of the Moors & Christens fiesta.
7. Valor chocolate factory tour.
8. Picnic on El bon nou beach.
9. Visit the Hotel El Montiboli situated on La Caleta beach.
10. Walking or driving around the area and beaches, guaranteed to discover something new.
There’s a reason why Spain is one of the most popular destinations for flip flopping holidaymakers looking to Europe for their annual family break.
The Mediterranean lifestyle is enviable along with the Spanish sun and mild climate, and the local people’s hospitable and agreeable attitudes toward foreigners. Spain also has a fair share of culture with its monuments, historical treasures and Arts.
Villajoyosa, Costa Blanca.
Cove Near Benidorm
Moors and Christians Fiesta
If you are walking around the seafront or the town centre of
Villajoyosa in June you may notice that most of the men are wearing
ducktails, short boxed, French folks, and the Old Dutch. I’m referring
to their beards. It’s that time of year for their annual beard growth,
as they prepare for this year’s Moors and Christians fiesta.Spain is a country of festivals, one of the most popular is the Moors and Christians fiesta celebrated in several parts of Spain, and has been running for over 250 years.
Villajoyosa (whose name means ‘joyful town’) adds an extra special treat being on the coast. It stages a mock naval battle ‘Desembarco’ over thirty ships take to the sea and commemorates with a re-enactment of a time in 1538, when a fleet of Berber pirates led by Zale-Arraez tried to attack the town. It is said that in the midst of battle Santa Marta miraculously appeared summoning a great storm and swelling the river Amadoria, washing away the enemy fleet. For this she was made the Patron Saint.
For seven days the whole town participates in this fiesta with events and parades every day. Most of the shops, including banks are close during this week.
There is also a Paella making competition held in the street, various peñas (social clubs) compete for pride and prestige. Free drinks and hats are given out and the peñas usually end up throwing water on each other, all in the name of fun and welcomed in the soaring heat.
Although tourists are attracted to this fiesta it is still very much, first and foremost a fiesta that the town’s people celebrate and take part in as a tradition close to their hearts.
Villajoyosa is protected by a natural barrier the peaks of the Puig Campana and sierras of Aitana sheltering the region from harsh northern winds, making the temperatures pleasant all year round.
Fishing Town
Other places of interest in Villajoyosa include the
multi-coloured fisherman’s houses, painted in bright pastel colours, a
tradition that has been upheld, originally so they could be spotted from
far out at sea.There are hundreds of ways to prepare rice, combining fish and shellfish with vegetables, and La Vila has so many great fish restaurants with fresh fish on the menu, caught by local fisherman. A gastronomic fiesta is held each year placing a high enthuses on its local cuisine, promoting local foods and tapas.
It doesn’t stop there, a variety of diverse restaurants from all over the world, including Chinese and Pizzerias are dotted around the town. El Guitarra on the beach front, alluring amongst the coloured houses, has a Spanish and Northern European menu, and a great atmosphere, dinning al fresco with live music — definitely a recommend.
A perfect place for a stroll and to soak in some of the town’s ancient history is in the old walled town with its 16th Century Gothic Church and the bridge over the Rio Amadoria built in 1859.
Once across the bridge you can head 500 meters out of the main village towards El Paraiso. You will find more restaurants and bars and a beach PLAYA PARAÍSO with a camp/caravan site.
At 2 o’clock like most places in Spain, La Vila shuts down for lunch and siesta. Only the Cicadas and the noisy bars can be herd.
Nightlife
Along the seafront the bar/restaurants are close together with
outside seating, creating a fiesta atmosphere with the sound of laughter
and music, and like the beaches are still busy until the early hours of
the morning. In the summer months evening artisan market stalls flutter
in the summer breeze selling anything from clothes, handmade jewellery,
pâtés, cheeses and olives.If it’s dancing you are after then it’s a disco you need, and there are a huge choice a few miles down the road in Benidorm.
I emphasis DISCO because La Villa has clubs, but they are pole-dancing brothels, drinks cost five times the usual cost and rates for other services are charged by the half hour and the hour — apparently, so I was told by the Postman.
Speaking of adult pleasure Villajoyosa has a chocolate factory that’s been manufacturing chocolate since 1881, their doors are open and welcome to visitors and you can visit the chocolate museum, and learn about the history of chocolate. They also have a chocolate shop in the center of town, serving drinks and ice creams.
Beaches of Villajoyosa
My favourite beach is Playa Bon Nou a quiet rustic cove
with fine white sand and pebbles. The water is clear and calm due to the
beach being sheltered by cliffs. It has received the prestigious Blue
Flag award assuring visitors of its quality, cleanliness and safety.
Facilities include lifeguards, parking, toilets, disabled access, and a
great Chiringuito (beach bar).PLAYA CALA FONDA
Strong waves, this beach is the north of Villajoyosa with high cliffs, the bays are of small size and difficult to access, but beautiful.
PLAYA RACO CONILL
160 meters, rocks / gravel, moderate waves.
PLAYA EL TORRES
560 meters, gravel, sand and moderate waves. An ancient tower above. Torre de la Cruz and Saint Joseph, popularly known as the Tower of Hercules.
PLAYA ESTUDIANTES
140 meters, moderate waves, sand and gravel.
PLAYA CENTRO
1,380 meters, white sand. Disabled access to beach, close to the town center.
PLAYA EL TÍO ROIG
160 meters, moderate waves, sand gravel.
PLAYA CALA MALLAETA
210 meters, moderate waves, this has a spectacular coastal cliff.
PLAYA EL PARAIS
1,060 meters, gravel and sand. Moderate waves, blue flag, beach bar and disabled access to beach.
EL BON NOU
220 meters, moderate to weak waves, blue flag, beach bar and disabled access to beach.
PLAYA EL ASPARALLÓ
200 meters, moderate waves. The Asparalló beach is a stretch of coast at the foot of cliffs, inaccessible and clear waters.
PLAYA LA CALETA
160 meters, gravel, sand, calm waters, blue flag and disabled access to beach.
EL CHARCO / EL XARCÓ
580 meters, windy, rocks and gravel beach, an ancient watchtower above.
PLAYA CARRITXAR
1,890 meters. This beach is the end of the coastal boundary belonging to La Vila, with more than two miles of coastline and an abundance of attractive beaches.
Sunset Over the Waves of Costa Blanca
Sunset Over the…
Dennis Johnson
18 in. x 24 in.
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Sports and the Marina
La Villa has a rugby and football club and at the marina you can Jet Ski, kayak and scuba dive.The Club Nautico de Villajoyosa at the marina will host the fourth edition of the Euro Challenge. Sea Kayak race with the participation of 20 different nations. This year there will be two competitions racing from La Vila through to the Isle of Benidorm and La Vila down to El Campello. Villajoyosa has also been named host of the Sea Kayaking Championship of Spain to be held on September 9 at Vilera Bay.
Humour
Is this you car sir?
The Spanish sense of humour is similar to that of the British but
they have a darker lust for danger and bad things happening to people,
that is why bull running is still so popular. Sexual endeavours are high
on the list as well as poking fun at famous people and politicians.So on that note I leave you with two, possibly useful sentences.
¿Tienes algo para matar a los mosquitos?
Have you got anything to kill the mosquitoes?
¿Dónde está el club más cercano?
Where is the nearest club?
Adios!
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