Located on Spain’s Mediterranean coast to the south of Valencia, Villajoyosa has been named the “Best Hidden Gem in Europe 2024,” according to European Best Destinations, which has just published one of the most anticipated lists of the year. The best secret destinations in Europe is a ranking that recognizes hidden corners, spots far from the crowds, beautiful villages lost in time, and places where some of Europe’s natural beauty can be experienced by simply taking a short walk.
This year, Spain has much to celebrate, as the first two towns on the list are located in the country. While Villajoyosa leads the ranking, right behind it in second place is Ares del Maestrat, less than two hours to the north of Valencia in the province of Castellón.
Europe’s other hidden gems for 2024
In third place, following the two Spanish towns, is Primošten, a village in Croatia, just a one-hour drive away from neighboring Split. It is followed by the Bokodi Floating Village in Hungary and Naantali in Finland.
Rounding out the top ten are Bøur on Vágar in Denmark’s Faroe Islands; Blåvand, Denmark; Ulm in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany; Aljezur in Algarve, Portugal; and Dartlo, Georgia.
In 11th place there’s another Spanish destination: Castro Urdiales on the country’s northern Cantabrian coast. With three towns on the list, Spain takes the honor of being the country with the most winners.
There are 18 total destinations on the list. Here are the rest of them, in order: Landmannalaugar, Iceland; Cicmany, Slovakia; Pico Island in the Azores, Portugal; Pont-en-Royans in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France; Wuppertal, Germany; Le Puy-en-Velay, also in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France; and Staithes in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Villajoyosa, the number one Hidden Gem in Europe in 2024
“This town in Alicante is exactly what we would like it to be,” the Spanish edition of Condé Nast Traveler said in 2018. Villajoyosa’s name, which translates from Spanish to “happy town,” is entirely fitting.
