REVIEW · ALICANTE
Alicante Charming Villages Tour: Villajoyosa and Altea
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Ali-Oli Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Two seaside villages, one sweet day.
This Alicante Charming Villages Tour is a smart break from the city pace, trading traffic noise for sea air, whitewashed lanes, and that unmistakable Costa Blanca glow. I like that you get two distinct towns in one day, without the headache of planning connections yourself.
What I love most is the mix of guided time and freedom: you’re shown the key sights, then you’re left with time to wander, snack, and shop at your own speed. The other big win is the artisan chocolate factory visit in Villajoyosa, including tastings that feel like part of the town’s identity, not a random detour.
One drawback to consider: the chocolate factory is closed on Sundays, so the tour won’t include that visit if you book a Sunday departure. Also, you’ll be walking through older streets—nothing extreme, but it’s not a sit-and-watch kind of day.
In This Review
- Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time
- Villajoyosa and Altea: Two Coasts, Two Personalities
- From Hotel Melia to the first village: how the day really moves
- Villajoyosa’s colorful sea-town walk and golden-sand feel
- Artisan chocolate factory plus the tasting moment
- Altea’s white streets, the blue-and-white church, and mountain views
- Your Altea free-time plan: cafés, photos, and shopping
- Price for $88: where the value comes from
- Who this tour is best for (and who should think twice)
- Should you book this Alicante Charming Villages Tour?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point for the tour?
- How long is the tour?
- How big is the group?
- What language is the guide in?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is the artisan chocolate factory visit included every day?
- Do we get time to shop and take photos in Altea?
- How much guided time is there in each town?
- Is there a food tasting during the tour?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time
- Villajoyosa’s colorful old-town vibe plus a seafront promenade feel
- Family-run artisan chocolate factory with tastings and time to browse
- Altea’s whitewashed maze of streets and a famous blue-and-white church
- Panoramic viewpoints over the Mediterranean and the Serra de Bèrnia
- A small group size that keeps the day from feeling rushed
Villajoyosa and Altea: Two Coasts, Two Personalities
Villajoyosa and Altea are both Costa Blanca classics, but they don’t feel the same. Villajoyosa leans coastal and playful: colorful buildings, beach energy, and a town rhythm that’s easy to relax into. Altea feels more tucked-away and scenic, with white lanes that look made for slow wandering and photos.
That contrast is exactly why this pairing works. Instead of doing two copies of the same coastal town, you get one stop that screams classic seaside character, then you shift to another town where the streets and views do most of the work.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Alicante.
From Hotel Melia to the first village: how the day really moves
You start at the Meliá Alicante area, with pickup right outside the main entrance of the Hotel Melia (wait opposite the taxis, and arrive about 5 minutes early). From there, you’re in a van transfer for about 40 minutes to Villajoyosa.
This matters more than it sounds. A good day trip needs a rhythm: enough time to enjoy each place, not so much travel that you arrive tired. The schedule here is built that way, with guided walking time in each town and then a longer stretch for independent exploring—especially in Altea.
The group size is small, limited to about 7 participants (and described as a maximum of 8). Translation: you’re not fighting for space at viewpoints, and the guide can actually manage the flow when people want extra photo time or a quick question.
Villajoyosa’s colorful sea-town walk and golden-sand feel
Villajoyosa is often called La Villa by locals, and once you arrive, you feel why. The town has a compact historic core that’s made for walking. You’ll get a guided tour of about an hour, focused on what makes the town visually memorable and culturally important.
What you’ll notice fast:
- Bright, colorful houses that give the old town a postcard look
- Seaside atmosphere, including a chance to feel the ocean breeze along the promenade
- Golden-sand beach views that pop up as you move through the area
The pacing here is one of the tour’s strengths. You’re not trapped inside a museum-style route. You’re given a walking flow that helps you orient yourself, then you’re nudged toward the “stroll” part of the day.
If you’re the type who likes getting your bearings quickly—then breaking off to wander—this setup fits perfectly.
Artisan chocolate factory plus the tasting moment
Villajoyosa’s chocolate reputation isn’t just marketing. You’ll visit an artisan chocolate factory (entrance included), and your stop comes with a food tasting time built into the schedule.
What makes this part valuable is the way it connects to place. Chocolate here isn’t an add-on; it’s part of the town’s identity, and the factory visit helps you understand the local craft behind the treats. You’ll also have time to see how the shop side works, so you can choose what you want to take home.
Important note for planning: the chocolate factory is closed on Sundays. If your trip lands on a Sunday, you still get the Villajoyosa time—but you won’t get the factory visit that’s a signature highlight of the tour.
So before you lock in your day, check the calendar. One day can change the experience.
Altea’s white streets, the blue-and-white church, and mountain views
After Villajoyosa, you transfer by van for about 30 minutes to Altea. Here, the feel changes right away. Instead of sea-town color, you get a maze of whitewashed streets and cobblestones that encourage slow steps.
Your guided sightseeing and walk in Altea lasts about 30 minutes, and you’re taken to the sights that help you understand the town’s layout:
- The streets full of character
- A standout church with blue-and-white tiled features
- Panoramic views reaching across the Mediterranean Sea and toward the Serra de Bèrnia
That last part is the payoff. Even if you’ve seen coastal towns before, this combination—white lanes plus wide views—hits differently. It’s the sort of scenery that makes you stop without planning to.
And it helps that the tour doesn’t oversell one single spot. You’re shown enough to feel the “Altea feeling,” then you’re released to explore at your own speed.
Your Altea free-time plan: cafés, photos, and shopping
Once the guided portion ends, you get a photo stop plus about 1.5 hours of free time in Altea. This is where the day becomes yours.
The tour’s own promise is relaxation: palm-tree-lined promenades and laid-back squares, plus plenty of places to sit and recharge. Practically, that free time is ideal for three things:
1) Photos from the spots the guide has already helped you find
2) A cafés-and-sweets break while you wander
3) Shopping, so you can pick up small souvenirs without feeling rushed
I’d treat this block like a choose-your-own-adventure. Walk a little, sit a little. Don’t feel you must “cover” every street. Altea rewards meandering.
Also, because it’s an older town center with cobblestones and narrow lanes, go easy on heavy footwear if your feet get tired. Comfortable walking shoes will keep the day enjoyable instead of annoying.
Price for $88: where the value comes from
At $88 per person for a 6-hour tour, the value is really in the structure. You’re paying for three things that can cost time (and stress) on your own:
- A live English guide who helps you connect the dots between towns
- Transfers that remove logistics from your day
- Entrance to the artisan chocolate factory, including the tasting experience
If you tried to do Villajoyosa and Altea independently, you’d still need to figure out timing, transport, and what’s worth seeing. This tour compresses all of that into one smooth plan, with guided time where it matters and freedom where it’s more fun.
You also get a small-group atmosphere. At this price, that’s not automatic on every day trip, and it makes a difference when you’re taking photos or moving through busy walking streets.
Who this tour is best for (and who should think twice)
This tour is a good match if you:
- Want a first-time-friendly way to see Villajoyosa and Altea without overplanning
- Like a day that mixes guided highlights with real free time
- Are a chocolate fan and want a hands-on, place-linked visit to a family-run factory
- Enjoy photo-worthy old towns, especially when the scenery comes with viewpoints
Think twice if you:
- Are booking on a Sunday and strongly want the chocolate factory visit (it won’t be included)
- Prefer long museum-style stops or minimal walking. This is a town-walking experience.
It also works well for couples and small families, especially since the group is small and the day is paced to stay comfortable.
Should you book this Alicante Charming Villages Tour?
Yes, if your goal is a low-stress, high-reward day trip that shows you two Costa Blanca personalities in one go. The standout is the combination of Villajoyosa’s chocolate-and-color identity and Altea’s white streets with big viewpoint payoff—plus that built-in free time that lets you actually enjoy the towns instead of racing through them.
If you’re flexible on dates, aim for a departure day that isn’t Sunday, so you don’t miss the factory visit. If you want a simple plan with the right mix of guidance and wandering, this one is an easy yes.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point for the tour?
Please meet outside the main entrance of the Hotel Melia (Meliá Alicante), waiting opposite taxis.
How long is the tour?
The tour runs for 6 hours.
How big is the group?
It’s a small group limited to about 7 participants (described as a maximum of 8).
What language is the guide in?
The live tour guide speaks English.
What’s included in the price?
The price includes the guide, transfers, and entrance to the artisan chocolate factory.
Is the artisan chocolate factory visit included every day?
No. The chocolate factory is closed on Sundays, so Sunday departures won’t include that visit.
Do we get time to shop and take photos in Altea?
Yes. There’s a photo stop and about 1.5 hours of free time in Altea for shopping and exploring.
How much guided time is there in each town?
You’ll have guided sightseeing in Villajoyosa for about 1 hour, and in Altea for about 30 minutes.
Is there a food tasting during the tour?
Yes. There’s a food tasting in Villajoyosa for about 30 minutes.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
