The Fiesta de las Lagrimas (the tears) de Santa Marta celebrates a miracle. But it wasn't the first miracle the saint performed for the town of Villajoyosa.

Blogs from my balcony! Eating and drinking in Spain, great places to see, plenty of history and cool facts. All from the nicest town on the Costa Blanca!
The Fiesta de las Lagrimas (the tears) de Santa Marta celebrates a miracle. But it wasn't the first miracle the saint performed for the town of Villajoyosa.
The little town of Villajoyosa has a great Moros y Cristianos fiesta. It’s unlike any other in Spain - and let’s face it, there’s quite a lot of competition in that department
A gentle coastal walk southwards from the tower at the Malladeta headland on the outskirts of Villajoyosa, taking in five of La Vila’s beaches on the way.
Museum visits are generally for rainy days. Problem is, there aren’t that many rainy days on the Costa Blanca. So visiting the archaeology museum in Alicante (MARQ) generally means sacrificing some sunshine. But it is worth it.
Semana Santa or Holy Week is a seriously big event in Spain. The processions of the hooded penitents in Sevilla and other Spanish cities are spectacular celebrations of faith. Here in Villajoyosa, they’re obviously not quite on the same scale, but there are processions in the town every evening in Easter week.
A Correfoc is an explosion of noise and fire on the street, a cacaphony of shrieking whistles, rhythmic drumming and fireworks. Watch this video of the correfoc in October 2017 on La Vila's main street.
Paella may be the most famous dish on a Spanish menu. But the Comunidad Valenciana is its real home. Here's how to choose the best rice dishes from the rich variety on offer.
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. Villajoyosa 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.