Spanish seaside town named Europe’s best-kept secret has £23 flights and five beaches

SPAIN is a popular holiday destination, so finding somewhere without the crowds can be a little tricky.

But one Spanish seaside town in Valencia has been named Europe‘s best-kept secret by a group of travel experts.

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Villajoyosa has been crowned Europe’s best hidden gem for 2024 by the travel website European Best Destinations.

The Spanish seaside town bagged the top spot thanks to its colourful beachfront properties and gorgeous beaches.

Nestled between Alicante and Benidorm, Villajoyosa is home to multi-coloured buildings that wouldn’t look out of place in the Italian Riviera.

The town’s origins are believed to date back to the Greek colonies that settled on the Spanish coast.

Villajoyosa became a prosperous fishing port during the 18th century, with fisherman painting their beachfront properties in bright colours, so they can be easily spotted at sea.

Because of its historic roots, the town’s centre was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.

The town is protected from the cool north winds by Sierra de Aitana (a Spanish mountain), which means Villajoyosa enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year, including highs of 32C in the summer.

With more than 12km of coastline, the beaches are arguably the town’s most coveted attractions.

There are six Blue Flag beaches, including Playa del Centro which is covered in soft golden sand.

Meanwhile, Playa de Torres is the town’s main beach – the sandy spot is lined with colourful beachfront houses, bars and restaurants.

There are several other beaches including Playa del Paraíso, Cala Mallaeta and Playa del Bol Nou – an unspoilt cove.

Other attractions in the Spanish seaside town include the Western and Levantine Walls.

The walls acted as medieval defences, with the remaining parts overlooking the Amadorio River.

There’s also the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción – a church turned fortress that’s surrounded by colourful houses.

The church can be easily spotted thanks to its imposing walls, which rise above neighbouring rooftops.

Villajoyosa also has important ties to the history of the chocolate industry because the town was one of the main ports for importing cocoa from Venezuela and Ecuador.

One of the chocolate-related attractions in Villajoyosa is the Valor Chocolate Museum, which explores the history of the chocolate industry in the town.

Other attractions include Vilamuseu – an archaeology museum with a large collection of ancient jewellery and artefacts.

There’s also the Sant Josep Tower Aguiló Tower, which was built in the 16th century to defend the town from Turkish raiders.

Hotels in Villajoyosa can be purchased for as little as £50 per night, based on two people sharing a room.

Villajoyosa is a 30-minute drive from Alicante Airport.

Both Ryanair and Jet2 operate direct flights from the UK to Alicante, with return fares starting from £23.  

And Villajoyosa isn’t the only Spanish seaside town that’s relatively unknown to most Brits.

Other Spanish towns

The Spanish seaside town of Ribadesella is loved by locals and unknown to most British holidaymakers.

Located on the north coast of Spain, the town is a popular spot among Spanish holidaymakers.

Ribadesella was founded by King Alfonso X in the 13th century, and it is split into two distinct parts.

Meanwhile, Almodovar del Rio in Andalusia has been named as a “must-visit” destination in Spain.

Located between the Guadalquivir River and the Sierra de Hornachuelos Nature Reserve and mountain range, Almodovar del Rio is a Spanish hilltop town.

One of the town’s main attractions is its medieval castle, which had a starring role in the seventh season of the hit TV show Game of Thrones.

Spain’s cheapest city break has also been revealed, and a bottle of wine costs under £4 and it’s warm in November.

One British expat, who lives Cadiz, has revealed the three big mistakes tourists make while they’re on holiday.

And, another travel expert, who visits Spain eight times a year, has shared the big mistakes tourists make that can cost holidaymakers money.

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