A town of great fishing tradition, today leaders in the economy are the chocolate industry and tourism.

La Vila is the historical and administrative capital of the Marina Baixa and its economy depends on the
Deep and shallow fishing.  This relationship with the sea has marked its history and its culture as a result of its maritime commerce came the development of another industry typical to the Vila:  the manufacturing of chocolate.  La Vila keeps many charms such as the fish suctions which are held in the afternoon, the colouful houses originated by the need of the sailors to be able to see their houses from afar.  The walled Old Town is worth contemplating and walking through.

The distinction of the locality, which is topped by its martime character overall, makes it that one of the artisenal occupations which has been maintained from centuries ago, is intimately related to the sea.  Also the making and repairing of the nets that are used to fish maintain the the traditional production processes, as have been used since times gone by.  On the other hand, one of the municipal industries which has become part of the local economy, the manufacturing of chocolate, which also follows the traditions for the elaboration of the product.  A sign of this are the two factories – chocolate museum which are in the town.

Fish and rice are the two star products on the municipal menu.  The most typical dishes in Vila joiosa are “el caldero” made with fish stock, and salted fish specialities, “bonito” (tuna) or “mojama” (fish roe).                                                                                    
With regard to the most traditional desserts it is necessary to savour the sweet potato cakes, the “tortada d’atmela and, of course, the famous and exquisite chocolates.
Outstanding is the “Mostra de Cuina Marinera” (Sample of seafood cuisine) in which a total of 13 restaurants in the town participate, and which has always contained seafood cuisine and the most genuine tradition.

Town Fiestas in honour of Santa Marta Y San Jaime with the famous beach landing of the Moors at the end of July.  The l6th of July, Sailor’s Procession in honour of the Virgin of Carmen.  “Romeria a San Isidro” in May and Fair in September, in honour of San Miguel Arcangel (Saint Micheal the Archangel)

A visit to the Old Town of the town takes the visitor back to other times due to the conservation of the walls and the small streets which have their own particular character.  Apart from the Old town, the town has more than three kilometres of beaches amongst which the most outstanding are the “Centro” beach, which is where the annual Moor disembarkation takes place, or the “El Parais” beach, both of which have the Blue Flag of Clean Seas of Europe.  There is also the “Xarco” beach, god for diving and fishing and where there is a tower of the same name, or the “Torres” beach where you can visit the Roman funeral tower of San Jose.  On the other hand the coast of La Vila Joiosa contains a multitude of tranquil and peaceful atmospheres in each one of its bays, such as the “Raco Conill”, where there is deep sea diving or a nudist beach. Other beaches worth visiting are La Caleta , surrounded by palm trees with a pebble beach and peaceful atmosphere.  Bon Nou beach, a rustic bay of great beauty set between to large rocks. El Esparrello beach, a small bay on the way out of town towards Alicante, diving, fishing and apt for duists.

Rugby, football , basketball or gymnastics can be done in the municipal sports centre.  The port and nautical club with the sailing school are a good alternative for those that prefer sea sports. 
Also sport is available at the “La Torreta” sports centre and in the sports installations “Marta Baldo”.

HISTORIC-ARTISITIC UNION OF THE OLD TOWN

The old town maintains an enviable grade of conservation.  Its traditional seafaring and commercial character have determined its own particular architecture, with the typical distribution of the era of the reconquist.  In the excavations in the area reamins of the Iberian era have been found and from the Fenician and Egyptian era.  To see the historic and artistic union it is necessary to visit church-fortress of “Asuncion”, pertaining to the Gothic-Catalan, and the streets “Colon” and “Canalejas”, where buildings are conserved of different architectural styles from aroun the XIX & XX centuries.  The hanging houses over the Amadorio river should not be missed, they are one of the icons of the town.

- TORRE DE LA CRUZ (o XAUXELLES)
This is a Roman settlement form the centuries I to VI a.c. with a rich decoration in mosaics and wall carvings.

- WALLS (AND CASTLE)
The walled recinct was partially destroyed during the War of Succession, of which today some paintings can still be seen, generally incorporating in the oldest houses in the town centre.  The canvas, made in the XVI century is an incomparable example of defensive architecture.  In the modern era new walls were built in which the most famous are the paintings of the “poniente” and the “levante”, in Vauban style or defensive architecure.  In the Levante paintings can be disniguished by the straight lines of the walls with star forms very different to those of Vil Joiosa. The towers that make up the walled area are of a circular shape with a southfacing front.

- TORRE DE BAIX O DE XAUXELLES
The towers in the countryside, such as the well known Torre de Baix o Torre de Xauxelles were built in the municipal area of Vila Joiosa during the XVI & XVII centuries.  The tower de Baix is situated on the corner of a new construction.

- TORRE DE DALT O DE LA ERA DE SOLER
This belongs to the types of countryside towers, structures annexed to the country houses or farms.  Their function was to transmit inland alarm sginals which were received from the coastal towers.  The Dalt tower and the Soler Era have also bee declared patrimony of cultural interest. 

- TORRE DE SAN JOSÉ
San Jose tower, of Roman origin, is a funeral building integrated in a necrópolis.  The investigations assure that it is the burial place of an important person in the social life of the town, whose identity is unknown.  Originally the structure was 12 metres high, o which eight are conserved.

- TORRE DEL XARCO
The tower of Xarco is to be found in the most meridian part of the area, upon the Tossal de Mar.  It is in a private property, on a hill with a cylindrical shape.

- TORRE D´AGUILO
The tower, square based, was built during the reign of Felipe II, and was intregrated into the system of coastal vigilence against the pirates.  In the Municipal Museum a touchable model oif the structure can be seen.


- TORRE SIMEÓN
This is a tower protecting the interior territory, even though, in this case, it is near the beach.  The building can hardly be seen as it is camouflaged as a house.

- MUSEO ETNOGRAFICO Y ARQUEOLOGICO
The centre divides in two sections:  The archeological and the ethnic collection.  The first resumes testimonies from the Iberian and Roman  cultures, with domestic utensils, military and of ritual use found in the necropolis of Poble Nou and the houses in the  VI b.c. century until the III a.c.  The second offers an extensive sample of the traditional activities of the town such as fishing, agriculture or boat making.  The centre organises seasonal exhibitions and has various models of monuments.

Calle Baranquet, 1 (Library)
Tel    96 589 01 50
Fax:  96 685 01 08

- MUSEO DEL CHOCOLATE. CHOCOLATES PÉREZ.

Una de las pocas fábricas que aún conserva una forma artesanal de fabricación del chocolate. Además es la única fábrica que comercializa chocolate a la piedra, que es el primer producto chocolatero que se elaboró en Villajoyosa. Cuenta con una interesante exposición de piezas antiguas que se utilizaban para realizar el chocolate.
Partida Mediases, 1.
Tel. 965890573
Fax. 965890573

- MUSEO DEL CHOCOLATE CLAVILEÑO

One of the few factories which still conserves an artisanic way of making chocolate.  Also  it is the only factory which commercialises in “chocolate on stone”, which is the first chocolate product that was made in Villjoyosa.  It has an interesting exhibition of antique utensils used to make chocolate.

Partida Mediases, 1,
Tel:    96 589 05 73
Fax:    96 589 05 73

- MUSEO DEL CHOCOLATE VALOR

The visit to the museum can be enjoyed both outside and inside.  Before going into the insallations it is necessary to stop outside  and see the hkuge machines and the carts that the chocolate was sold from.  Once inside there are two programmed routes, on theme based and one chronological.  In the first of these there is a good example of the commercial aspects, the wrappings, the materials, the individual chocolates and moulds.  The chronological itinerary explains the three factories in the XIX & XX centuries.  Thevisit finishes viewing the present day installations and tasting the chocolate.

Avenida Pianista Gonzalo Soriano, 13
Tel:    96 589 09 50
Fax:   96 589 46 97