Altea Benidorm and Villajoyosa from Valencia

Villajoyosa’s brightly painted streets, Benidorm’s high-rise coast and Altea’s whitewashed old town make a lively trio for a day out from Valencia. I like the contrast between these places, and the Chocolate Factory Museum gives the first stop a local flavor beyond the usual seaside views.

I also like the small group limit of seven: it can make the long drive and town visits feel more personal than a big-bus outing. One caution: this is a full day on the road, and time for exploring or shopping is limited, especially if Altea’s winding streets tempt you to linger.

At a glance

• Three very different Costa Blanca towns: Colorful Villajoyosa, high-rise Benidorm and calm, whitewashed Altea each offer a different view of the coast.
• A chocolate stop with local context: Entrance to the Chocolate Museum is included during the Villajoyosa visit.
• A small group: The tour has a maximum of seven people, with an air-conditioned vehicle for the journey.
• A long day, with about three hours of driving: The tour starts at 8:00 am and lasts about nine hours.
• A final church stop: The Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Michael the Archangel is on the route, though access inside can depend on the day.

A Costa Blanca sampler from Valencia

This tour works best as an introduction to three coastal towns, not as a slow visit to any one of them. You leave Valencia at 8:00 am, travel south in an air-conditioned vehicle, and return to the original meeting point after roughly nine hours. The group is capped at seven, which is a real advantage on a route with several stops and a fair amount of driving.

I would choose this day if you want variety and a guide to help put the places in context. Villajoyosa offers colorful streets and chocolate, Benidorm gives you a quick look at a very different kind of seaside resort, and Altea is the town most likely to make you wish you had more time.

The tour costs $120.15 per person. That is a substantial price for a day trip, but it covers transport in an air-conditioned vehicle and entry to the Chocolate Museum. The value depends on what you want: if you would rather see several places without arranging your own transport, the price may make sense. If you want long, unhurried visits or plenty of time to shop, this schedule may feel tight.

Villajoyosa: color, coast and chocolate

The first stop is Villajoyosa, reached after about 90 minutes on the road from the meeting point at Torres dels Serrans. The town is known here for its small, brightly colored buildings by the beach. A guided walk gives you a chance to see the streets and get a feel for the town before visiting the Chocolate Factory Museum.

The museum is the only attraction with admission explicitly included in the tour price. Its focus is the story of chocolate and the role it has played in the region. That makes this stop more than a quick photo break, particularly if you enjoy learning how a local product shaped a place.

Villajoyosa is scheduled for two hours in total. Keep in mind that this does not necessarily mean two full hours for wandering independently: the guided visit and museum take up part of the stop. One unhappy visitor described a very short time at the beach followed by a longer museum visit, so you should not plan on a long, relaxed stretch by the water.

That division of time may suit you if the museum is a priority. If you mainly want to stroll, browse or sit by the shore, ask the guide how the stop is likely to be arranged on the day.

Benidorm: a quick look at the high-rise coast

Benidorm is a sharp change of pace. The tour presents it as the tourist capital of the Alicante Costa Blanca and notes its concentration of skyscrapers, said to rank third in Europe after London and Milan. The planned stop is at the Mediterranean balcony, where you can take in views of the coastline.

The listed visit is 45 minutes, making this more of a scenic pause than a full exploration of the city. A critical account of the day described only a short time at the beach viewpoint, while the tour operator’s response gave a longer estimate. Since the published timing and accounts do not line up neatly, approach this as a brief stop and confirm the day’s plan with your guide.

Benidorm’s appeal here is the contrast: from the small buildings of Villajoyosa, you move to a coast defined by tall buildings and tourism. You will have time to look out over the water and take photos, but you should not count on time to see much beyond the designated area.

Altea: the town most likely to deserve more time

Altea is described as a small town between sea and mountains, with a calmer feel than Benidorm. The planned stop is two hours, and the town’s old streets and independent shops are a major reason to look forward to this part of the day.

The practical catch is how those two hours are divided. A guide-led walk, getting around and free time all compete for the same window. One visitor had only about 30 minutes for shopping and wished for much longer, even in the off season. If you love browsing artists’ shops, that is useful to know: treat shopping as a bonus, not the main purpose of the visit.

I would use this stop to enjoy the town at walking pace rather than trying to cover every lane or shop. The guide can add context and help you orient yourself, then you can make the most of whatever free time remains. If Altea is the main reason you are considering the trip, a longer visit on a separate day may suit you better.

The Russian Orthodox church: a distinctive final stop

The last listed attraction is the Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Michael the Archangel. It is described as the first Russian Orthodox temple built in Spain and as a replica of a 17th-century church, using materials brought from the Ural Mountains. It provides a striking change of subject after the coast and resort towns.

The scheduled stop is 20 minutes, and entry is included. However, the church may not always be open for an interior visit. On one occasion, an event prevented entry, and the group saw it from outside. The tour’s response also clarified that the return drive is part of the time shown for this portion of the route, so do not read the schedule as nearly two hours inside or around the church.

This is a worthwhile stop if you like architecture or want to see something unexpected on a coastal itinerary. But because access can vary, regard the interior visit as uncertain rather than guaranteed.

A small group, with guide quality in the mix

A maximum of seven people is a useful feature. The vehicle can reach places a large coach cannot, and a small group can make it easier to ask questions or keep the day moving. The trade-off is that the guide may also be driving, handling pickups and navigating. One visitor who had a poor experience felt that these duties left too little time for explanation.

Guide feedback is mostly very warm. Marcela, also spelled Marcella in some comments, was praised for being friendly, patient, communicative and organized. People appreciated her explanations and help taking photos. Joaquim was also described as a good guide, though one person would have liked more information early in the journey.

That range matters. A small-group format can feel personal, but it does not guarantee a long talk at every stop. If detailed commentary is a priority, ask the guide questions as you go. The tour is offered in English.

What the price covers, and what it does not

For $120.15, the main practical value is having transport from Valencia to several places on the Costa Blanca without planning the route yourself. The air-conditioned vehicle matters on a day that includes roughly 90 minutes of driving each way, and the small group gives the outing a more intimate scale than a full coach.

The Chocolate Museum entrance is included. Lunch is not: you have time to eat at your own expense, so budget for a meal or snacks. No other admission fee is listed for the town stops, but the experience is primarily a guided sightseeing day rather than a package with multiple paid attractions.

The tour is about nine hours overall. The listed stop times add up to less than that, but driving between locations and returning to Valencia takes a sizeable part of the day. Expect a mix of road time, guided visits and short windows to explore on your own.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend this tour if you want a convenient overview of three Costa Blanca towns and are happy to keep moving. It is especially appealing if Villajoyosa’s chocolate stop interests you, you want a quick look at Benidorm, and you would like a guided introduction to Altea without arranging separate transport.

It is less suitable if you want a leisurely beach day, extensive shopping time or a long visit inside every attraction. The schedule has several stops to fit into one day, and the church interior is not guaranteed. If you are most interested in Altea, consider whether a separate visit would give you the time you want.

The small group and generally praised guides are good reasons to consider booking. The main question is pace: you are paying for a broad sampler, not a deep stay in any one town. The tour is booked, on average, 76 days ahead, so it may be worth planning early if the date matters to you. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; poor weather or too few bookings may also lead to a new date or a refund.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about nine hours, starting at 8:00 am and ending back at the meeting point in Valencia.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Torres dels Serrans in Valencia and returns to the same meeting point.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is seven people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. English is listed as an offered language.

Is transport included?

Yes. The tour includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is the Chocolate Museum entrance included?

Yes. Entrance to the Chocolate Museum is included in the price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Time is available for you to eat at your own expense.

How much time is scheduled in Villajoyosa?

The listed stop is two hours, including the guided visit and Chocolate Museum.

How much time is scheduled in Altea?

The listed stop is two hours. The amount of time available for independent shopping or exploring may be shorter.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.