
Beautiful hidden gem town with golden beaches and turquoise waters
The row of brightly coloured houses on the beach promenade in Villajoyosa makes for the perfect photo opportunity, particularly next to the white cliffs, sandy beaches and turquoise waters
Often dubbed as Europe's best-kept secret, Villajoyosa is a tranquil town brimming with attractions for tourists seeking an enjoyable Spanish retreat. Known as 'The Joyful Town', Villajoyosa is nestled in the Alicante region in eastern Spain and boasts a modest population of just under 34,000.
One of the town's most striking features is the line of vividly painted houses adorning the beach promenade. Originally inhabited by fishermen, these slender yet towering homes were adorned in bright, contrasting hues to be easily spotted after a hard day's work. Nowadays, they provide an ideal backdrop for photographs, especially when juxtaposed against the white cliffs, golden sands and azure waters.
Visitors keen on delving into Villajoyosa's history should consider a trip to the Valencian Chocolate Museum.
This attraction chronicles the evolution of chocolate production in the region from the 1600s to the present day, highlighting their unique take on this global delicacy, reports the Express.
Interestingly, the museum also houses a vast library filled with historical documents and photos pertaining to chocolate and cocoa.
Lastly, for the truly intrepid, a visit to Villajoyosa offers the chance to explore the remnants of the Bou Ferrer, situated approximately half a mile off the coast.
Discovered by two divers in 1999, the Bou Ferrer is the wreckage of a Roman merchant ship that dates back around 2,000 years.
While firms provide diving tours for those keen to explore the ship's remnants, more laid-back tourists have the option to visit a museum displaying a variety of artefacts retrieved from the vessel.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
British tourist left gobsmacked by one thing in Spanish supermarket
She saw some things that you wouldn't be able to get in the UK. Holidaymakers know there's something special about soaking up the sun with an ice-cold can of Fanta Lemon and sharing a pack of Lays. However, those facing a late-night arrival may worry about finding snacks and water after landing in the wee hours. Fear not for those heading to Spain, as one woman has highlighted that some supermarkets there are open at 1am – quite unlike what we're used to here in the UK, reports the Express. Florence Grace exclaimed on her video post: "Still open at one am?! Spanish supermarkets are the best," showcasing her intriguing finds within the store. Captivated by the "colour of this Sunny D," Florence quipped: "you're not in Spain unless you get this," in reference to the popular Chovi Allioli". Delighted by discoveries including "biscuit chocolates" akin to Maltesers and a milkshake labelled "very sickly", Florence revealed delectable offerings not found on UK shelves. She highlighted the steal of getting "mini paella" for under three euros, and a full bottle of sangria for less than two, noting these are absolute steals. With a giggle, she added: "Or, you can get a carton of wine for 99 cents," showcasing the litre-sized bargain. Florence enthused about the delights found in Spanish stores, saying: "This is the best thing about Spanish shops," particularly impressed by the on-the-spot fresh orange juice machine. Her exploration revealed more treats, noting: "A whole a** cake" and marvelling at the deliciousness of Spanish donuts, suggesting one can do without a resort when such delights are readily available at local supermarkets. Excitedly, she mentioned the bargain snack options, including: "You can get a whole big bag of muffins," while browsing through treats like Milka chocolate and affordable chorizo for only two euros. When it comes to healthy eating, Florence highlighted: "In Spain, you can get a tub of carrots and a tub of guacamole," ideal for barbecue gatherings with loved ones. Continuing her journey through the aisles, Florence pointed out unique "ketchup flavour" crisps and then stumbled upon a sizable bag of churros. Reflecting on the cost of drinks, Florence noted the affordability, exclaiming: "I forget how cheap the alcohol is here," finding a can of San Miguel for just 73 cents—a stark contrast to the price of a bubble tea at four euros and 50 cents, a fact that astonishes Brits. Concluding her video, Florence expressed her fondness for Spanish confectionery, declaring: "they do the best sweets in Spain" and delighting in the idea that early morning supermarket visits mean no holiday cravings need to be overlooked.


Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Little-known Spanish holiday rules that could see you hit with £2500 fine
Multiple cities across Spain are expected to be brought to a standstill during MORE planned protests this month HOL NO Little-known Spanish holiday rules that could see you hit with £2500 fine IT'S that time of year again where Scots tourists flock to Spain and its islands to party or relax during some time off in the summer. With thousands of miles of stunning coastline, a warm climate and world-class food and drink, it's easy to see why the country is a top visitor destination. Advertisement 7 Areas of Spain have brought in some new rules which holidaymakers must follow Credit: Getty 7 Scots are set to flock to the sunshine hotspot this summer Credit: Reuters 7 Some parts of Spain have become a party spot for a lot of tourists Credit: Alamy 7 Brits have been a particular target of the protests in the past Credit: AP But tensions continue to rise between locals and holidaymakers over rowdy behaviour and disturbances partly caused by overtourism. Advertisement Thousands of anti-tourism protesters flooded the streets of Spain again in April. Brits have been a particular target of the protests in the past, as they are amongst the most loyal visitors to sunny spots like Majorca and Malaga. Protesters were even urged to superglue the locks of holiday rentals to render them unusable and cause a nuisance. These were the first mass anti-tourist protests of the year, following on from a string of furious demonstrations last summer. Huge crowds across 40 different Spanish cities took to the streets to send a clear message that holidaymakers are not wanted. Advertisement And the Spanish government are continuing to clamp down on the issues raised by locals. Locals claiming their homes have been turned into playgrounds for tourists have put pressure on the government to set strict rules in place that put a stop to unruly tourist behaviour. New regulations could land rule breakers whopping fines of up to £2,500. Tourists will now need to be careful about where and how they drink in certain hotspots. Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks Public drinking in Llucmajor, Palma, and Magaluf, along with Sant Antoni in Ibiza, is banned - unless it takes place in clearly designated areas approved by authorities. Advertisement The new rule also extends out to sea covering party boats within one nautical mile of the towns. Holidaymakers who don't follow the rules could be hit with a hefty fine starting from £450 for minor offences and up to £2,500. Those opting for a relaxing stay at an all-inclusive resort have been warned that alcohol rules apply there as well. All-inclusive guests are limited to a strict limit of six drinks a day - three in the day and three in the evening. Alcohol cannot be bought in shops from 9.30pm to 8am - but bars and clubs can continue selling. Advertisement Anti-tourist measures sweeping hotspots A WAVE of anti-tourist measures are being implemented across Europe to curb mass tourism in popular holiday hotspots. Overcrowding has become the main problem in many sunny destinations, with authorities trying to find a solution to keep tourists and locals happy. Officials have attempted to reduce the impact of holidaymakers by implementing additional taxes on tourists, or banning new hotels. Earlier this year Venice became the first city in the world to charge an entry fee for holidaymakers after it started charging day-trippers €5 (£4.30) if visiting the historical Italian centre. It was followed by an area in Barcelona which resorted to removing a well-used bus route from Apple and Google Maps to stop crowds of tourists from using the bus. Meanwhile, San Sebastián in the north of Spain, limited the maximum number of people on guided visits to 25 to avoid congestion, noise, nuisance and overcrowding. The city has already banned the construction of new hotels. The Spanish government has allowed restaurants to charge customers more for sitting in the shade in Andalucia. Benidorm has introduced time restrictions, as swimming in the sea between midnight and 7am could cost a whopping £1,000. The Canary Islands are also considering adopting measures to regulate the number of visitors - and charge tourists a daily tax. Greece has already enforced a tourist tax during the high season (from March to October) with visitors expected to pay from €1 (£0.86) to €4 (£3.45) per night, depending on the booked accommodation. Officials in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia want to introduce a fee for travellers to remind people to be courteous during their trips. The four main spots affected by these restrictions are Ibiza, and Magaluf, Playa de Palma and El Arenal in Majorca. But there are some locations the rule isn't in place. Here's where you can visit without the six drink restriction: Alcudia, Majorca Cala D'Or, Majorca Cala Bona, Majorca Cala Millor, Majorca Santa Eulalia, Ibiza Es Cana, Ibiza Playa Den Bossa, Ibiza Port Des Torrent, Ibiza People could also be fined between £640 and £1,300 if their drinking "disrupts coexistence, involves crowds or deteriorates the tranquillity of the environment". If the offence is considered serious, the fine could range from an eye-watering £1,300 to £2,500. Advertisement Carry ID Both tourists and Spanish citizens must carry a state-issued photo ID with them at all times. Failure to produce an ID on the spot when asked by the Civil Guard, National, Regional or Local Police can result in being detained. You can be held at a police station until your identity is confirmed. Holidaymakers have been warned that ignoring direct requests or challenging a police officer may be viewed as "disobedience", which is a criminal offence. Sarah Slattery, a former travel agent, advises sunseekers to prepare ahead by photocopying their ID and passport in case they're stolen while abroad. Advertisement She said: "It is not something we like to think about, but is it possible that you could be a victim of a crime on holidays, or you could simply loose your passport or other documents. "I suggest photocopying or uploading images of your passport, tickets and insurance policy to the cloud before you travel. "This is an important part of your holiday checklist, and once you have uploaded images of your passport once, they will be there for your next trip." 7 Thousands of anti-tourism protesters flooded the streets of Spain again in April. Credit: Getty 7 There are a number of rules tourists should follow while at the beach Credit: Getty Advertisement Bad beach behaviour In some Spanish seaside towns, going to a beach between midnight and 7am can cost tourists hefty fines of £640 to £1,000. Swimming when the red flag is flying can cost £850. Sleeping or camping on the beach can result in a sickening £1,000 bill. And placing a parasol or towel to reserve a space comes with the risk of a possible £130 fine. Smoking on the beach has a fine of up to £1,700 and alcohol is strictly banned - even when illegal beach vendors are offering it up at cheap prices. Advertisement And urinating in the sea can get you a fine of £130. In parts of Benidorm and Tenerife, building a sandcastle on the beach could also cost you up to £130 - the fine does not include kids and is aimed towards larger "sand architects". Shirtless stroll Going shirtless or stepping out in a bikini while walking in specific public areas is a huge no-no in some parts of Spain. If you get caught by the police in the street then you can get fined up to £500. Barcelona, Malaga and Benidorm are known as the spots tourists breaking this rule get caught out the most. Advertisement Why is Spain clamping down on tourists? MANY of Spain's most popular tourist destinations have been introducing tighter regulations for tourists as we approach the summer. It's a response to a fierce anti-tourism backlash in Spain. Locals blame tourists for crowded streets, traffic jams, a proliferation of souvenir stalls and generic coffee shops and restaurants and spiralling cost-of-living prices. Anger is also growing over the impact tourism is having on housing, with short-term tourist accommodation driving up the cost of rental properties. The new measures aim to mitigate the issues caused by overtourism and ensure a more sustainable tourism model. Stay clear of protests On June 15, several Spanish cities are expected to be brought to a standstill when locals take to the streets to protest against mass tourism. The demonstration in Palma, Majorca will be held simultaneously with similar marches in Ibiza, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastián, Santander and Pamplona. Some cities in Portugal, Italy and France are also set to see protest action on the same date. Tourists have been warned to "stay clear" of any protest action, amid fears that growing anger over mass tourism could make demonstrators more hateful. Cap on cars and caravans Ibiza introduced a limit on the number of tourist cars and caravans that can visit the island. Advertisement From June 1 until September 30, the number of vehicles used by non-residents will be capped at 20,168. Only 16,000 of these will be allowed to be rental cars. The other 4,108 will be for tourists who want to disembark with their cars in Ibiza from the ports of Barcelona, Denia, Valencia, or Palma. Vehicles heading to the sunshine hotspot must obtain prior online authorisation first. Those making the journey in caravans must present a confirmed reservation at an authorised campsite on the island to make it through. Advertisement


Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brit tourist walks into Spanish supermarket and is amazed by 'rare' difference
A woman has shared a video of the things she found in a Spanish supermarket, and she was left gobsmacked by one thing in particular - and it's something that's very rare in the UK Sitting in the sun all day and then quenching your thirst with a chilled Fanta Lemon or sharing a packet of Lays is an elite feeling. However, if you're landing in the early hours after a late-night flight, the panic might set in about whether you'll be able to grab snacks and water before morning arrives. The last thing you want is a morning headache. Fear not if Spain is your destination, as one lady has highlighted that certain supermarkets there keep their doors open until the early morning, which is quite rare back in the UK. Florence Grace highlighted her surprise in her video caption, "Still open at one am?! Spanish supermarkets are the best," and showcased some tempting items she encountered during her visit. She enthused over the "colour of this Sunny D," and playfully remarked, "you're not in Spain unless you get this," while showing off a jar of Chovi Allioli. Delving into further exclusive finds, Florence revealed some "biscuit chocolates" reminiscent of Maltesers and described an Oreo milkshake she tasted as "very sickly". She also exposed the bargain finds, such as a "mini paella" for under three euros and even a full bottle of sangria for less than two euros. Florence couldn't help but giggle as she pointed out the possibility of buying a carton of wine for merely 99 cents, revealing that it contained a whole litre of booze. Florence was all praises as she stood by the fresh orange juice machine in a Spanish shop, exclaiming, "This is the best thing about Spanish shops," where customers can freshly squeeze their juice on the spot to ensure its freshness. As she explored further, Florence marvelled at the frozen lemonades and gestured to a dessert, saying: "You can get a whole cake." She pointed out that there's no need for an all-inclusive resort when you can easily grab these treats from local supermarkets. "You can get a whole big bag of muffins," she effused, while perusing the Milka chocolate and chorizo, which were on offer for a mere two euros. "In Spain, you can get a tub of carrots and a tub of guacamole," she clarified, showcasing the range of salad options ideal for a barbecue with loved ones. She then scoped out the crisps aisle, drawing attention to "ketchup flavour" varieties before moving on to an ample bag of churros. Highlighting the affordability of beverages, Florence noted, "I forget how cheap the alcohol is here," as she compared the cost of a single can of San Miguel at 73 cents to bubble tea priced at four euros and 50 cents, a striking contrast for Brits. "This protein coffee is 20g of protein and zero sugar. What is it made of then?" she pondered aloud. Wrapping up her video, she concluded with enthusiasm "they do the best sweets in Spain". Moreover, the convenience of late-night shopping means no cravings have to go unaddressed during your holiday.