Spain's colourful fishing town — famous painted houses, the country's most celebrated chocolate brand and a genuine local character between Benidorm and Alicante
A Valencia region tourist licence is required for short-term letting. The TRAM connection to Alicante and Benidorm gives tenants excellent mobility without a car, which is a marketable advantage over many Costa Blanca towns. Villajoyosa's photogenic quality means listings here photograph particularly well — strong photos of the coloured houses and beach can drive above-average booking enquiry rates.
Why Villajoyosa?
Let out property in Villajoyosa — the letting market
Looking to let out property in Villajoyosa? Villajoyosa on the Costa Blanca has solid demand for holiday accommodation year round. Letting out property in Villajoyosa provides an ongoing return and covers maintenance and property tax during the periods you are not using it yourself.
A Valencia region tourist licence is required for short-term letting. The TRAM connection to Alicante and Benidorm gives tenants excellent mobility without a car, which is a marketable advantage over many Costa Blanca towns. Villajoyosa's photogenic quality means listings here photograph particularly well — strong photos of the coloured houses and beach can drive above-average booking enquiry rates.
Tourist licence and rules in Villajoyosa
To let your property in Villajoyosa on a short-term basis (under roughly 2-3 months per tenant) you need a valid tourist licence. In Valencia region this is issued by the Generalitat Valenciana, and you must register the property with a specific licence number that must appear in all listings.
The rules are actively enforced, and fines for illegal letting can run into several thousand euros. It is therefore essential to have the licence sorted before you start advertising the property on Airbnb, Booking.com or similar platforms.
Expected rental income in Villajoyosa
In high season, a property in Villajoyosa can typically be let for 700-1,800 EUR per week in high season for an apartment or smaller villa. Over a full year, with a realistic occupancy rate of 50-70% in the most popular areas, this can provide a solid ongoing return — particularly if the property is also used privately outside the season.
Remember that rental income must be taxed in Spain (typically 19% for EU citizens on net income) and may also need to be declared in your home country — but double taxation treaties typically prevent you from paying full tax twice on the same income.
How to get started letting in Villajoyosa
Start by applying for a tourist licence from the Generalitat Valenciana, and make sure the property meets the requirements for safety, fire equipment and signage. Next, you should invest in professional photos — in a market like Villajoyosa, where iconic multicoloured painted fishermen's houses is a big part of the appeal, good photos make a real difference to your booking rate.
Consider whether you want to manage the letting yourself, or use a local property management company that handles key handover, cleaning and guest communication — particularly relevant if you do not live in Spain full time.
Long-term letting as an alternative in Villajoyosa
If you prefer a more stable, less administration-heavy solution, long-term letting (over a year) to locals or expats can be a good alternative to seasonal short-term letting. It does not require the same tourist licence, but is instead governed by the general tenancy law (LAU), which gives the tenant stronger rights.
Life and culture in Villajoyosa
The painted houses of Villajoyosa are the town's most famous visual feature — a row of fishermen's houses along the harbour front in vivid shades of yellow, blue, red and orange, a tradition that originated from fishermen painting their homes different colours so they could identify them from the sea on return from fishing trips. The Valor chocolate brand, founded in the town in 1881, has made Villajoyosa internationally known in the confectionery world, and the factory and free museum attract visitors year-round. The town celebrates Moros y Cristianos in late July — one of the Costa Blanca's most colourful versions of the tradition.
Villajoyosa's active fishing port gives it an authentic working character that purely tourist towns lack — fresh fish is landed daily and goes directly to the town's restaurants. Nightlife is modest, family-oriented and authentic, with a local tapas bar and restaurant scene rather than an international resort offer. The town is growing in cultural confidence as its unique identity gains international recognition through social media and travel writing.
Location and infrastructure
Alicante-Elche airport is approximately 35 minutes from Villajoyosa by car via the AP-7 motorway — one of the better airport-access times for a mid-Costa Blanca town. The local TRAM line passes through Villajoyosa, connecting northward to Benidorm and the Marina Baixa coast and southward to Alicante city — a genuinely useful public transport link that makes car-free access to both cities practical for residents and tenants.
Taxis are available locally, and the town centre is walkable for residents within the older quarters. The TRAM is a practical daily option for commuters and for tenants who prefer not to hire a car — a genuine selling point for rental listings.
Tourism & leisure
Villajoyosa has several Blue Flag beaches along its coastline — a quality indicator of water and beach management standards. The main town beach sits close to the painted houses and the harbour, while further coves provide quieter alternatives. The Valor chocolate museum and factory shop are free to visit and are a popular rainy-day activity for families.
The town is relatively quiet in the evenings — a family and residential atmosphere rather than a resort entertainment scene. The proximity to Benidorm (12 km) means that residents or guests seeking more intensive entertainment, theme parks or nightlife have easy access. The climate follows the typical northern Costa Blanca pattern of mild, dry winters and warm, sunny summers.
Everyday costs & what to know before you let out in Villajoyosa
Property prices in Villajoyosa are currently mid-range for the Costa Blanca and generally below comparable properties in Benidorm's marina areas — representing reasonable value given the town's growing profile and genuine character. Day-to-day costs are moderate and reflect the mixed residential and tourist economy, with local tapas bars and Spanish supermarkets keeping food costs manageable.
Before you buy: Villajoyosa is growing in popularity, meaning property values are likely to trend upward as the town's profile rises further. The Valencia region tourist licence is required for short-term letting. Check the specific location relative to the famous painted harbour houses — the visual character of the town is concentrated in the old harbour area, and proximity to this zone adds a significant marketing advantage for rental listings.
Areas in Villajoyosa
Explore the individual areas in Villajoyosa for more specific information on prices and character:
Frequently asked questions about letting in Villajoyosa
Do I need a tourist licence to let my property in Villajoyosa?
Yes, if you let it short-term to tourists. The licence is issued by the Generalitat Valenciana in Valencia region, and the licence number must appear in all your listings on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com.
How much can I earn letting out my property in Villajoyosa?
In high season, a property can typically be let for 700-1,800 EUR per week in high season for an apartment or smaller villa. The annual return depends on the occupancy rate, but 50-70% during the most popular periods is realistic for a well-located property in Villajoyosa.
Which platforms should I use to let my property in Villajoyosa?
Airbnb and Booking.com are the most widely used platforms and offer the broadest exposure. For luxury properties, specialised platforms aimed at premium holiday rentals can attract a more qualified pool of guests.
What is the difference between short-term and long-term letting in Villajoyosa?
Short-term letting requires a tourist licence and generates higher income per night, but requires more administration and is subject to seasonal swings. Long-term letting does not require a tourist licence, provides a more stable income, but is governed by the general tenancy law, which gives tenants stronger rights.
Do I need to declare rental income from Villajoyosa in my home country?
In most cases, yes — rental income typically needs to be declared in your home country, but you usually pay Spanish tax on the income first (around 19% for EU citizens), and this can then be offset against tax owed at home under the relevant double taxation treaty, so you are not taxed twice on the same income. Check the specific rules that apply in your country of residence.
Need help letting out your property in Villajoyosa?
Contact us for a no-obligation chat about your options in Villajoyosa. We give impartial advice and help you move forward — whether you're just starting your research or ready to take the next step.
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