Spanish village Villajoyosa named Europe’s most beautiful hidden destination
A trip to Spain? Always! My favorite city is Valencia. Because of the amazing paella, the beach, the atmosphere and the wonderful fishing villages nearby. For the most beautiful Spanish village, even named Europe’s most beautiful hidden destination, you have to go to Villajoyosa. Also known for its chocolate, ¡Vamos!
Villajoyosa is a beautiful coastal town on the Costa Blanca in the Spanish province of Alicante, 32 kilometers from the city of Alicante and a 1.5-hour drive from Valencia. Around 34,000 people live there, so it is no longer a small village. But that does not detract from its idyllic character. It has therefore been named Europe’s best hidden gem.
Beautiful beach, colorful houses
When you walk along the beautiful 3.5-kilometer-long beach, past the strikingly colorful houses, you understand why Villajoyosa earned this title. The fishermen painted the houses in the same colors as their boats. The reason? This way, they could see from the sea exactly where they needed to go to get home.
Chocolate in Villajoyosa
The beautiful village is also called ‘La Vila Joiosa’, the cheerful city. Although the village has a long maritime tradition, it is now mainly known for its chocolate industry. The famous Valencian chocolate brand Valor has a factory, museum and shop here. Definitely a fun (and delicious!) place to visit. Chocolates Clavíleño and Chocolates Perez are also based here; the latter is also highly recommended.
Spanish restaurants
And as is customary in Spain, there are plenty of delicious little restaurants where you can eat until late in the evening. An absolute must is Hotel Montíboli, where you can enjoy everything from high-end dishes to bar food with an incredible view. Restaurant El Pòsit, near the marina, is a lovely tapas spot; Ca Marta serves delicious fish and a different rice dish every week. El Hogar del Pescador is the best-known fish restaurant in Villajoyosa, next to the popular Club Nàutic. The latter is also highly recommended; you do not need to be a member.
