Have you ever visited Moraira Spain?
This town has a quiet and relaxing atmosphere .
A beautiful unspoilt scenery located in North Costa Blanca.
An attractive resort which attracts people from all over Europe, particularly looking for a place to retire to.
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Where is Moraira?
Moraira is one of the more northerly resorts of the Costa Blanca.
It is located in the Teulada municipality around 80 km to the north of Alicante and 100 km south of the city of Valencia.
Nearby are the city of Denia (around 30 minutes away) and the well-know city of Benidorm around 30 km south of Moraira Spain.
(Moraira Spain – Google Maps)
Between 20-30 minutes away, you will find the towns:
You will love Moraira Spain
What is the History of Moraira?
Moraira was founded in 1386 by the Lords of Lhiria, Serra and Gandia.
However, it has a much longer history back to the days of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, as the town of Guadalest.
Many of the place names used in the area have Arabic origins, including Alcassar, Benimeit, Moravit, Pouet del Morro and Tabaira.
During Jaime I kingdom in the 13th century, settlers from Catalunya and Aragon moved to Moraira, bringing with them the Valencian language.
During the 16th century the area was under the threat of Barbary pirates and a fortified lookout tower was built at Cap d’Or.
There is so much history in Moraira Spain, as in Orihuela
General Information about Moraira Spain
Moraira is a picturesque location against a backdrop of surrounding montains, its beaches are a contrast of sand and rock, with some small intriguing coves.
It is located in North Costa Blanca.
When you drive South Costa Blanca, you will find the well-known coastal areas:
Water sports are conducted at Portet Cove a safe haven for ships over several centuries.
There is a local legend that the town was named after a Moorish princess “Ira la Mora” hence comes the name “Mora Ira.”
Another tale featuring this princess was that her bones were buried beneath the old castle on the main beach, this restored monument and museum has proven this story to be untrue.
During the late 18th century, the nearby settlement of Teulada was a farming village and crops were exported by sea from the natural ports.
Local residents began turning to fishing as an alternative source of income.
The small houses where the fishing tackle was stored were enlarged and converted to fishermen’s cottages, this is how the village of Moraira developed.
What is the Weather like in Moraira?
The resort of Moraira has a typical Mediterranean climate that includes cooling sea breezes during the summer and protection from the cold northerly winds during the winter by the surrounding mountains.
Moraira experiences around 3000 hours of sunshine annually with average temperatures in excess of 20C.
The climate has been described as being among the best in the world.
The town of Moraira Spain is an ideal all year round destination with around 325 sunny days per year, as in the whole province of Alicante, including inland cities Alcoy and Elche.
What Architecture can be seen in Moraira?
In a cave known as the Coya a de la Cendra, close to the Cap d’Or objects found were proof that there has been human habitation in the area for thousands of years, with the first settlers believed to have arrived here in the Upper Palaeolithic era of 15,000-20,000 years BC.
Other finds in the area have included that of the Iberians being unearthed at the Cap d’Or.
There are several relics of the Moorish society in the buildings that still exist today, the irrigation and agricultural systems they constructed and the layout of the town.
Gastronomy
Locally produced food products include processed and preserved pork used to make a soft spreadable red sausage known as Sobrasada and a spicy Spanish dry sausage known as Llonganissa.
It is comparable to chorizo, and considered a local delicacy.
The vineyards of Teulada produce a dry white wine called Vina de Teulada, while a semi-dry red wine called Cava de Moscatell is also locally produced.
How much does it cost to rent or buy property in Moraira Spain?
Property prices in Moraira are higher than many other resorts across the region and vary greatly as two bedroomed apartments are available for 99,000 Euros, while a single bedroomed apartment was listed for 125,000.
Three bedroomed apartments are listed at around 255,000 and rising, while villas cost in excess of 350,000.
Two bedroomed apartments are available for long term rentals in Moraira Spain from 650 Euros per month, while three bedroomed apartments are listed at more than 800 per month.
Town-houses are available at a price in excess of 1000 Euros per month.
What are the most Interesting Attractions I should visit in Moraira?
Castillo de Moraira
Moraira’s famous landmark is the beautiful castle known as Castillo de Moraira.
It is a small fort located on the coast over the beach of l’Ampolla.
A visit here is a must see attraction during your time in the town. It has some amazing history.
This castle was planned by Juan Bautista Antonelli as part of a fortification to protect the coast from Barbary pirates under the direction of Felipe II during the 16th century.
There is a plaque above the castle’s entrance claiming the castle was not completed until 1742.
A shield or notice over a doorway also informs visitors that castle was owned by the Borbon family at this time.
The castle was armed with four cannons made of bronze although it was badly damaged by the British fleet during an attack on the 20th of July 1801.
The only sieges the castle sees today are through the number or tourists visiting the site.
Beaches
The two sandy beaches at Moraira are known as l’Ampolla and El Portet, theyslope gently into the Mediterranean Sea making them safe for all ages.
Both beaches hold the EEC Blue Flag award for cleanliness and their facilities.
There are also some rocky beaches and bays, of which Cala L’Andrago, Cala Cap Blanc, Cala Portixol and Cala Lleibeig are ideal locations to try snorkelling.
Moraira is known as the Saint-Tropez of the Costa Blanca.
Markets
There is a weekly market held every Friday close to the beach, although the local towns and villages each host markets on different days so if you wish to you can visit a different one every day.
These markets offer some excellent quality cheap fruit and vegetables, local specialities, herbs and spices, leather goods, clothes, rugs, flowers, pottery, souvenirs and a host of other goods.
During the height of the summer during July and August there is also an evening market held every evening on the Avenida de Madrid.
Festivals
There are several festivals or fiestas held throughout the year.
In July, a festival is held to honour the Virgin of the Unsheltered and the Virgin of Carmen, the patron saint said to protect sailors and fishermen.
The highlight of this festival is a parade, fireworks and a water procession with a statue of the virgin floating on bouquets of flowers.
At the end of June on the L’Ampolla beach is a festival known as Moros y Cristianos to remember the reconquest of the Christians against the Moors.
At the end of this week of celebration a big parade is held through the town.
During the months of June and July, along with the resorts of Benissa and Calpe, La Ruta de la Tapa is held.
During this festival, participating restaurants offer tapas and a drink for just 2 Euros. A street plan with a layout of the route is available from the tourist information centre.
Torre de Vigea
This watchtower, built in 1553, is the oldest building still standing today in Moraira.
It was built to warn residents of attack by pirates through the use of smoke signals from its location on Cap d’Or.
The tower is round in shape, built in the Renaissance style, 26 metres in diameter and 11 metres in height.
It is not possible for visitors to enter the tower although it sits on a walking trail, taking about an hour to climb the route up to the headland, beginning at El Portet.
Sturdy shoes are recommended as the route is quite steep in places.
The route takes walkers past the Cova de la Cendra, an impressive cave where archaeological finds dating back around 20,000 years have been found.
On arriving at the tower you can look along the coastline as far as Benidorm in one direction, and Denia and Javea in the other.
Yours Free
Spain 101 is a free ebook full of unique tips that will save you thousands of Euros when moving to / living in Spain.
Would you like to get it now?
Please click / tap on the image below:
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