Bright and beautiful, the name of Villajoyosa means the city of joy. It’s a vibrant town among sandy, sunbathing-friendly beaches and peaceful bays, with transport links to Benidorm and Alicante.

Bold, brightly coloured townhouses demarcate this ancient walled town from 3 kilometres of palm brushed beach. Settled by anyone who was anyone in Spanish history — the Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Moors and finally, built in its current image by an Admiral in Aragon’s navy in 1293 — it has capitalised on its position on the mouth of the river Amadorio as a trading post. Firstly, for olives, cereals and wine until it became a shipbuilding port and finally, in the 19th century, Villajoyosa began its history of chocolate production and distribution. The ubiquitous Valor brand of chocolate is still made here and distributed to supermarkets all over Spain.

Playa del Centro is the largest and best-serviced beach, running alongside the traditional town centre. It has Blue Flag status, various sports facilities, accessible entrance points and an extensive children’s playground right on the sand. Other beaches worth visiting include Playa del Xarco, a small cove with a defensive tower on the headlands, Playa del Paraíso, almost as long but much quieter than the main strip, and Cala Mallaeta, a cliff-edged cove sought by both naturists and naturalists.

The Moros y Cristianos festival held in Villajoyosa is a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest, an honorary distinction given by the Government of Spain. It celebrates a past spent scuppering the Barbary Pirates.