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International Tourist Interest Festival ·

Moors and Christians of Villajoyosa 2026: the Desembarco, unique spectacle in Spain

From 24-28 July 2026, Villajoyosa lives its Moors and Christians Festival. The highlight: El Desembarco — recreation of the Moorish invasion from the sea with hundreds of people in the water — unique in Spain and declared of International Tourist Interest.

Moorish dawn landing on Villajoyosa's central beach with traditional boats
Moorish dawn landing on Villajoyosa's central beach with traditional boats

What makes Villajoyosa festivals unique?

Villajoyosa has celebrated Moors and Christians since the 18th century in honour of Saint Martha. It is the ONLY Moors and Christians festival in Spain where the Moorish landing actually happens IN THE SEA: boats with costumed festeros reach the central beach, fight an aquatic battle against the Christians, all at dawn. 5,000 people participate in costume, thousands more watch from the beach and the colourful houses.

The Desembarco (dawn of 25-26 July)

At 4 am, a fleet of Moorish boats with hundreds of festeros with drums and torches approaches the beach. The Christians wait on land. When the Moors land, a 30-minute choreographed battle takes place on the shore. It ends at dawn with Moorish victory. The central beach fills with people from 3 am.

The rest of the programme (24-28 July)

Day 24: opening proclamation and band entry. Day 25: offering to Saint Martha, harquebus battle. Day 26: the Desembarco (dawn) + procession. Day 27: Christian reconquest at the festive castle. Day 28: final offering and Peace Embassy. Mascletàs, parades and "racós" (community dinners) every night.

How to see it from the El Campello area

El Campello is 30 minutes by direct TRAM (line 1) and 13 minutes by car. The central Villajoyosa beach where the Desembarco happens fills up hours in advance. Recommendation: go late on the 25th to Villajoyosa, have dinner at a racó, wait for dawn on the 26th at the beach. Return by shared taxi or wait for the first TRAM (around 06:30).

Consejos prácticos

  • The Desembarco is the dawn of 25-26 July (NOT 26-27).
  • Arrive in Villajoyosa before 23:00 on the 25th if you want to park (the centre is closed from then on).
  • Get a spot on the central beach from 2:00 am if you want front row for the Desembarco.
  • Bring a light jacket: at 4 am, even in July, the sea breeze is cool.
  • If you cannot wait until the end of the Desembarco, there is a TRAM or taxi back at dawn (06:00).