Villajoyosa has one great problem: it is five minutes from Benidorm and the water is calmer. And one annoying problem: turn up at eleven on a Saturday without a plan for the car and you will spend half the morning circling.
Since we deliver the gear wherever you tell us, the car is the only thing you have to solve. Here is the cheat sheet.
Centro beach (the one with the coloured houses)
The postcard, and what most people look for. Street parking along the promenade is free, white-lined — and the most fought-over in town.
- Before 10 am: no problem at all, even in August.
- 11 am to 2 pm at weekends: forget the seafront.
- Plan B: the streets running back from the promenade towards the old town. Two or three blocks and you are done.
The upside: you step out of the car onto the sand. It is the easiest beach for loading, and it puts you straight on the line for the hidden coves to the north.
El Paraíso beach
South, past the harbour. It has free unpaved parking areas next to the promenade, considerably roomier than the centre. This is our pick if you are a group or arriving late.
The water is a bit livelier here when the easterly blows, as it is less sheltered. On a flat day it is a lovely, empty launch.
El Torres beach
Further south still, by the watchtower. The quietest of the three and the last to fill up, with free unpaved parking. In exchange, parts of the beach are pebble: bring water shoes and you will thank yourself getting in and out.
If your plan is to paddle south hunting for a cove and some snorkelling, this is the logical start.
Three warnings that save us phone calls
- Do not park in the loading bays on the promenade, not even "for a minute". In season the tow truck is real.
- Watch the blue lines in the centre: paid in summer and during shop hours. Always read the sign, it changes block by block.
- Leave your dry clothes and towel in the car, not on the beach. It is a quiet town, but a lone backpack on the sand is still a lone backpack on the sand.
And the easy part
You park the car; we bring the kayak. We leave it inflated and assembled at the agreed spot, with paddles, life jackets and pump, and collect it afterwards. No roof racks, no drying a kayak in the boot.
Routes and meeting points are on kayak rental in Villajoyosa, and if you want to make a day of it in town, a day in Villajoyosa covers it, chocolate included.