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.

 AREAS OF MORAIRA

El Portet
El Portet is in a sheltered bay within walking distance of Moraira. Both El Portet and Moraira have a rather upmarket feel with nothing to be seen of the high rise developments that have scarred much of the Costas in Spain

El Portet is a quiet seaside village, with a gently sloping, sandy bathing beach with beautiful warm clean clear water, ideal for swimming. The lovely narrow sandy beach is ideal for children, and is backed by a handful of beach bars serving food and drink.

There is a superb view along the beach to Calpe and inland there are pine clad mountains. In the village of Portet there is a small supermarket and a selection of bars and restaurants.

Pla del Mar
Pla del Mar, is Moraira's original urbanization, situated right beside the town and overlooking the Marina. The streets here are named after the seas of the world.  Situated on a low hillside overlooking the town with fine views of the Moraira-Benissa coast with the Calpe Peñon in the distance.

Facing Pla del Mar and overlooking the Marina and the sea, is a recently inaugurated sea front path that runs from Moraira to El Portet. The photo opportunities here are spectacular. At the start of the path is a small park featuring typical Mediterranean plants and shrubs.
For many years, Pla del Mar and El Portet have been favourite places for Valencian holiday homes with visitors driving down to their properties at the weekends. Now Moraira is more international with residents from throughout Europe. Pla del Mar properties have some wonderful old gardens and surprisingly quiet streets for being so close to Moraira centre.
Pla del Mar is one of Moraira's oldest private residential areas. Whilst not exactly gated, it is remote from local traffic and is managed by its own security personnel.

Tabaira, Moraira – 2 kilometers from Moraira and the beach, Tabaira is set
on the hillside just outside Moraira. Tabaira offers a selection of small
shops including a bakery, newsagents, bars, restaurants supermarket and
taxi/car hire company.   Surrounding Tabaira are a selection of residential
villas some of which are available for holiday rental.

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