Villajoyosa is located between two famous Costa Blanca cities: Benidorm and Alicante. It lies at the coastal road of N-332 as a famous and popular resort. It is well known for the brightly colored fishermen's houses along the seafront with its chocolate production. Villajoyosa is often included in the tourist's itinerary of Spanish coastline resorts.
Chocolate Town
Villajoyosa means “Jewelled Town” as it offers many interesting historical discoveries; it is also known as “Chocolate Haven” as it produces a lot of Spanish chocolate delicacies as well as for its traditional turron.
Villajoyosa museum showcases the chocolate story of Don Valeriano Lopez who started the chocolate industry here in 1881 as a family business. Today the business has expanded to incorporate advanced technology in its processes although the age old chocolate making recipes are retained and jealously guarded. All tourists should make a trip to this town's famous Valor chocolate factory. You will be delighted with their signature hot chocolate drinks; it is steaming hot and really tasty; no wonder it is called Chocolate haven.
Fishing Industry
Another attraction at Villajoyosa is the many fishermen's houses that are brightly painted along the shore line. These multi-colored homes form some beautiful and picturesque scenery at the coast or even from the sea. Its history reflect a very practical aspect of the fishermen's life; the bright colored homes in various shades of red, ochre, indigo blue and yellow are to enable the fishermen to recognize their homes while they are out at sea. Their brightly colored homes become some sort of a guiding lighthouse to help them get home safely. By being able to view their homes from afar at sea, the fishermen are comforted and motivated during their long hours in the ocean. Villajoyosa fish harbor is always bustling with activities especially during the afternoons when the fish market is on. The day's catch goes on sale to the highest bidder.
The town's primary economy has been fishing for many centuries; tourism has begun to take over the top spot recently.
Benidorm draws great crowds of tourists with its many offerings of exciting activities such as various theme parks in Terra Mitica, Terra Natura, Aqualandia, Exotic Animal Park and Mundomar Marine. Thousands of tourists come on to enjoy these sights; hence, Benidorm offers a very different flavor from Villajoyosa, its neighbor. The former offers much of its retained original charm with modern resort facilities like hotels and apartments.
It can be a hard choice between the hustle and bustle Benidorm and Villajoyosa's charming chocolate offering.
Martin Wynn
