The Spanish town of Villajoyosa is the best hidden gem in Europe

On Spain’s Mediterranean coast to the south of Valencia, Villajoyosa has been named the “Best Hidden Gem in Europe 2024,” according to European Best Destinations, which has just published one of the most anticipated lists of the year.
The best secret destinations in Europe is a ranking that recognises hidden corners, spots far from the crowds, beautiful villages lost in time, and places where some of Europe’s natural beauty can be experienced by simply taking a short walk.
This year, Spain has much to celebrate, as the first two towns on the list are located in the country. While Villajoyosa leads the ranking, right behind it in second place is Ares del Maestrat, less than two hours to the north of Valencia in the province of Castellón.

“This town in Alicante is exactly what we would like it to be,” the Spanish edition of Condé Nast Traveler said in 2018. Villajoyosa’s name, which translates from Spanish to “happy town,” is entirely fitting.
Villajoyosa is located in the heart of the Costa Blanca, a fabled stretch of Spain’s Mediterranean coast south of Valencia and north of Murcia. Here, the colourful facades blend with the golden sands of the beach.
The story behind the town’s rainbow palette? The different colours allowed fishermen to quickly find their homes even after long stretches at sea.

This picturesque seaside town has more than a dozen beaches and coves along its coast, including Playa Centro (the longest), Playa del Torres and Playa de la Caleta (two of the most popular), Paradís (with many casual open-air bars), and Bol Nou (surrounded by cliffs). P
untes del Moro and El Xarco are best for snorkellers, while Racó de Conill and L’Esparrelló are two clothing-optional beaches.

And of course, since this is Spain, the region’s gastronomic offerings are part of the draw. Restaurants serve delicious rice dishes with incredibly fresh fish and seafood and local cured meats.
Perhaps surprisingly, there’s also a long tradition of making chocolate here that dates back to the 17th century, using cacao from the Americas. The 1810 census was the first to list a chocolate maker operating in Villajoyosa.
Of the three factories that are still open today, we recommend stopping at the museum run by Chocolates Valor, which traces the journey of chocolate from cacao pods to desserts and candies.

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