Playa Centro

What it is

Playa Centro is Villajoyosa's urban beach: over 1,300 m of sand in front of the old town and the Parque del Censal, next to the mouth of the Amadorio. From the sand you can see the row of colourful houses built on top of the old wall, the town's most photographed image. Escalators climb from the beach to Avenida del País Valencià, so you can go down and up effortlessly from the centre. It is the natural stroll after the chocolate visit.

It has a Blue Flag, the Qualitur flag and the Ecoplayas badge, and it is a Smoke-Free Beach: smoking is not allowed on the sand.

Facilities

In the swimming season there are lifeguards and supervision. The beach has showers and foot washes, toilets, walkways, safety lockers and children's play areas, and sun loungers and parasols can be hired. In the Basseta l'Oli area, next to the Yacht Club, the Accessible Beach service operates, with facilities and equipment adapted for people with reduced mobility.

For the water there are kayaks, jet skis, paddle surfing and beach volleyball, and a buoyed channel for non-motorised craft. Dogs and caravans are not allowed. For questions, the council's beaches department answers on 628 993 176 or at [email protected].

When to go

The beach is open all year. Proper swimming runs from June to September, when the seasonal services operate; the rest of the year it is used mostly for walking on the sand and along the promenade, with terraces, bars and shops opposite. The best view of the colourful houses is from the last stretch of the Amadorio: from the road bridge and from the south bank of the river.

Getting there and what to combine it with

Without a car, TRAM line 1, between Alicante and Benidorm, stops in Villajoyosa. From the centre you walk down along Costera de la Mar, which leaves from the old town and the colourful houses, or down the steps of the Parque del Censal.

On the same beach are the Hotel Allon Mediterrània, on the front line, and two minutes away the Hotel Censal. For fish from the fish auction, Hogar del Pescador is next to the Yacht Club. And for the morning, before swimming, the Valor Chocolate Museum or Vilamuseu.