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Reasons to fall in love with Moraira

Monday, 28th May 2012
by El Ship, Master Mariner

Moraira
Strict planning and a ban on high rises gives Moraira a unique feel

Moraira makes much of its origins as a sleepy fishing village and while the wave of development along the Costa Blanca means those days are well and truly over the resort has managed to maintain some of that charm. In part that's due to a strict policy of banning high rise buildings and the fact that it is organised around the beach and a tidy little marina with a cannon-studded castle keeping watch over the little town.

In short, Moraira is a good all-rounder, a bit of an Ian Botham of Spanish holiday resorts, as there’s a little something for everyone.

Water sports

Of course the real reason you want to spend time in Moraira is the sea and when you're bored of lying on Moraira beach you'll find there's plenty to do.

Moraira Marina
Moraira's impressive marina

Coast Mountain Kayak has a beach front store and provides kayaking and stand-up paddling every day.

Mermaid Dive Centre and Scuba Moraira are just off the beach and offer both snorkeling and diving - expect a try-a-dive beginner's course to cost about 60 euros.

If the local water sports centres aren't enough then there's also the Club Nautico outside Moraira on the Calpe road which offers kayaking, wind surfing, boat rental and the highly rated Timon restaurant.

Food, fish and kids

Restaurants are something Moraira has a reputation for and if all that splashing around leaves you ravenous you'll find everything from trad Sunday lunch to authentic paella to be found in the restaurants around the harbour. There is also locally caught fish and a market in the main car park every Friday morning.

Fresh fish market
Fire up the barbecue with fresh fish from Moraira's market

Around town it's worth taking a look at the Fuentes (waterfalls) del Algar which are breathtakingly beautiful and about 45 minutes outside Moraira on the road to Callosa. If you don't have a car and do have a soft spot for choo choos then there's also a little single track train that trundles through the mountains and along the coast from Denia to Alicante and stops at Teulada (Moraira/Teulada are part and parcel). Kids love it.

Kids also love the little fairground in town (there's another in nearby Calpe) and the road 'train' that rattles through the streets. There is also Verel Safari Park half an hour out from Moraira just beyond Ondara but they seem to be closed until further notice – worth asking about but don't set off without confirmation.

Rain? In Spain?

If the unthinkable happens, however, and it rains on you and more importantly your beloved little ones, then don't worry because there is an answer. Recently opened and proving popular is the Ozone Bowling Centre next to the Lidl supermarket. Yes we know you didn't come to Spain to go bowling and it looks half closed but it has lots of amusements, cheap food (mainly burgers) and costs 4.80 euros a game which is worth every penny if you have kids (or mates) to amuse and the heavens have opened up that day.

Bulls and fiestas

Moraira also has plenty of big events that will go ahead come rain or shine so for the truly adventurous you might want to crack open the diary and note that the bull running takes place in Teulada in April and Moraira in July.

Moors and Christians fiesta (photo by FlyingReady)

Or for drama without quite so many horns there's the Moors and Christians fiesta from June 13th to 17th in which the town dresses up to reenact the conflict between white Christians and boot-blacked Moors while waving wooden swords and quaffing pretty much everything.

Or if that's all just a bit too hectic there's the International music festival on the 10th of June.

Which is the appeal of Moraira really – no skyscrapers and a bit of something for everyone.

Tags: costa blanca, diving / snorkelling, fiestas, kids

Related holiday pages: Costa Blanca, Moraira

About the author

El Ship El Ship is a Master Dive Instructor and RYA skipper who has worked in and around Barcelona and the Balearics for some years and is currently living in Port de Soller, Mallorca where he charters boats and runs a dive school. When work and a small daughter allow him the time, he takes part in cycling, kayaking, and triathlons and is earnestly engaged in a long term study into exactly which Rioja goes best with olives and aged Menorcan cheese.

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