COLOURFUL HOUSES

The seafront promenade of villajoyosa is famous for its brightly coloured old houses that line the coastline. This tradition of painting the houses in bright shades of yellow, blue, red and green was started by the first sailors in the area. These picturesque houses are one of the most photographed sights of the town.

Behind this colourful aesthetic, however, is a fascinating history. The vibrant colours of the houses in Villajoyosa have a seafaring heritage. The fishermen, in an attempt to recognise their homes from a distance when they returned from the sea, decided to paint each house a different colour. But the usefulness of these colours went beyond simple identification. They also allowed the sailors to receive messages from their families. The sheets hung on the balconies served as a means of communication. A black sheet indicated the sad news of the death of a family member during the sailor's absence at sea. On the other hand, a white sheet announced the joyful news of the birth of a new family member.

Thus, these colourful houses are not only a visual delight, but also a testimony to Villajoyosa's rich seafaring history and culture.

CENTRAL MARKET

The central market of la vila joiosa is a market that reopened its doors on 17 May 2003. Although it has been on the same site since 1947, the building has been renovated, resulting in an attractive and modern structure.

The Mercat de La Vila is the perfect showcase for local produce and has become one of the city's main gastronomic attractions in terms of the food trade. It offers a wide range of products, including vegetables, fish, meats, salted meats, preserves, bread, pastries, cured meats, pickles, frozen foods, wines, speciality beers, vermouth, oils, honey, and more.

Visiting or shopping at the Mercat de La Vila is a real pleasure. The variety of products available makes some of the stalls a true spectacle of colour, flavour, tradition and authenticity. This market not only offers a unique shopping experience, but also allows visitors to immerse themselves in the rich culinary culture of La Vila Joiosa.

PROMENADE / PORT

The Port of Villajoyosa offers an ideal place to walk and relax, allowing you to appreciate the town's close connection with the sea. Every evening, the fish market opens its doors, providing the opportunity to experience the tradition of the auctions.

From the harbour, you can look out over the Yacht Club, home to local restaurants and bars. There, you can indulge in tapas, dishes and drinks typical of the region.

CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION

The church-fortress dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption is located in the heart of the old town of Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa), where Pau Suites is also located.

The church-fortress is embedded in the walls that once protected the old town, and is attached to them.

This church is embedded in the walls that once protected the old town, and is attached to them, along with the castle, which no longer exists. Several houses are also attached to its walls.

Built in the 16th century, the church has a single nave in the Gothic-Catalan style, divided into six sections with a polygonal apse on the inside and a semi-circular apse on the outside, chapels between the buttresses and a bell tower that overlooks the historic quarter and served as a watchtower. It is dimly lit and the decoration is minimalist.

During the Renaissance, doorways were added to the church and, in the Neoclassical period, two chapels were consecrated to the patron saint, Santa Marta, and to the Immaculate Conception.

The church was built as a fortress church in the Renaissance period.

As a fortress church, its use was not limited to worship and prayer, but it also served as a defence against pirate attacks.

The church's use as a fortress was not limited to worship and prayer, but also served as a defence against pirate attacks.

HANGING HOUSES

The hanging houses of Villajoyosa, which seem to defy gravity, are a testament to a rich history spanning several centuries. These houses, which seem to float above the narrow lanes and steep slopes, emerged from a creative idea to optimise residential space on a hilly terrain. The fishermen and merchants of the area erected these dwellings to make the most of the slopes and to have immediate access to the sea.

They were built to make the most of the slopes and to have immediate access to the sea.

As time went by, these suspended houses became a characteristic emblem of Villajoyosa's architectural identity. Today, they are a living reminder of the town's history and customs, and have managed to attract the gaze of tourists in search of an authentic and picturesque experience.

CHOCOLATE MUSEUM

The Valor Chocolate Museum in Villajoyosa, created in 1998 and recognised by the Generalitat Valenciana as the Valencian Chocolate Museum, provides information on the production process of this delicious foodstuff. In addition to its informative function, the museum is also dedicated to the conservation and research of chocolate-related heritage.

In its facilities, you can explore the history of Chocolates Valor from its beginnings as a small family-run factory to the present day, passing through the five generations of master chocolatiers who have run the company. In addition, the museum houses an impressive collection of machinery used in the chocolate industry throughout the ages, from the days when cocoa was ground on stone to today's technology.