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Just forty years ago, Moraira was a cluster of old houses, a small fishing community with a little church sitting next to the sea, and backed by beautiful mountains. Now it has a new role in life, but still retains the attractive features of its recent past. Slowly it has changed to become an attractive holiday resort, still simple in its appearance, a haven of peace, a mixture of old narrow streets at its heart enclosed by new streets furnished with attractive gardens and fountains. It will suit in particular those travellers looking for beauty, peace and tranquillity, but it still has a lively night time scene without ever being a "Benidorm" type of resort.
Moraira now justifiably lives up to it's reputation as the "St. Tropez" of Spain. A main reason for this is that there are no buildings over 5 storeys allowed to be built, and this means there are no high-rise hotels and therefore no mass tourism. Good quality shops, reasonably priced bars and restaurants are the ‘norm’. All three beaches in town are EEC Blue Flag approved, the beautiful beaches and promenades are amongst the prettiest to be found along the coast, and a Daily Mail article has named El Portet beach as the most beautiful on the east coast of Spain. Facilities devoted to walking, sailing, sub aqua, karting, golf and horse-riding offer sport and entertainment in and around the town, and the Friday market is a must. For the kids there is a permanent funfair.
Many fiestas are held in Moraira throughout the year, but one of the most spectacular is the Fiesta of the Moors and Christians, which needs to be seen to be believed.
In June each year the Moors and Christians Fiesta takes place during which a magnificent parade of Moorish and Christian groups vie for superiority, marching, dancing and riding through the streets dressed in wonderful, colourful costumes urged on by bands playing rousing and exotic music. The fiesta also teases the senses with exciting blood curdling action as the Moors storm and capture the castle overlooking the beach on day one, only for it to be retaken by the Christians the following day.
Fiesta Dates
5th January: Night Procession 3rd February: The festivites in honour to San Blas and the Afternoon snack in honour to the "Dama" after Easter: Local fiestas in fonour to San Vicente Ferrer (street processions, fireworks, parades, paella) 2nd weekend of June : Fiesta of Moors and Christians 23rd June: the magic night of "San Juan" 1st weekend of July:Fiestas of "Font Santa 15th and 16th July: Fiesta to honour "Mare de Deu del Carme" and the "Mare de Deu dels Desamparats" (procession, fireworks, vaquillas) 24th and 25th July: Fiestas in Benimarco 29th and 30th July: Fiestas of "Els Sants de la Pedra" last week-end of August: Fiestas of l'Andrago 1st Saturday of September: Fiestas of Moscatell 24th November: Fiestas in honour to Santa Catalina The local market is held on a Friday morning, where there is excellent fresh produce on sale together with many non food items which should appeal to locals and tourists alike.
Useful telephone numbers Local Police: 96 574 0946 Guardia Civil: 96 574 4044 Fire Brigade: 96 578 0080 Red Cross: 96 574 0950 Medical Centre: 96 574 0176 Taxi: 96 574 4281 Useful links Everything Moraira
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