Tucked along the Costa Blanca, this colorful fishing town is a hidden gem with golden beaches, crystal waters, and smiles warmer than summer itself.  With roots tracing back to the Bronze Age, it has survived pirates, Moors, Romans, and more. Its old walled city still stands as a listed cultural treasure. Legend has it Santa Marta protected the town from a barbarian attack — a story still celebrated every year with a vibrant fiesta. No wonder it’s called La Vila Joiosa — “The Happy Town.”