Blogs from the balcony
The little community of Finestrat has a split personality. It's a pretty old town perched on a limestone cliff a few kilometres from Benidorm. But it's also a beach resort with some of the worst over-development you're likely to see anywhere on the Costa Blanca.
Every weekday afternoon Villajoyosa’s fishing fleet heads into port with the catch of the day. Watch the trawlers being unloaded and see how the fish is auctioned off - it's a surprisingly hi-tech operation,
Why go shopping in a soulless supermarket when you can buy from a Spanish mercado? They’re lively, great for people-watching and you never know when you’ll pick up a bargain. Villjoyosa has two, both well worth a visit. And there's also the elegant Mercado Central down the coast in Alicante.
The brilliantly colourful fishermen's houses in the old town are the iconic image of Villajoyosa. But there's much more to the "casco antiguo" than just the picture postcard seafront. Take a stroll through the narrow streets and pretty squares to sample the atmosphere of the old town and absorb a little of its history.
Villajoyosa (aka La Vila Joiosa) is a rare find on the Costa Blanca; a pretty seaside town that hasn’t been overwhelmed by tourism. It's my favourite place in Spain; just as well, because I live there a fair chunk of the year! Try these top things to do and see.
There's more to Spanish sport than football. Villajoyosa has one of the top rugby teams in Spain. Take in a match!
