Moraira and the Marina Alta
A unique micro climate part of Spain.
Only a few decades ago Moraira was a tiny fishing village, today it is a thriving town with an excellent infrastructure, several Blue Flag beaches and 99 restaurants and bars.
As opposed to other towns along the costas, Moraira has kept its charm and this blog aims to show you the higlights to get the most out of your stay.
We've divided it up in a number of sections; close by, 20 mins away, within 50 mins away, and finishing off with activities and climate.
It's easy to just stay and enjoy the town and its beaches but do try and see a bit more of the Marina Alta region as well.
Bienvenido!
MORAIRA
Great beaches and some fantastic restaurants
You can search through Moraira restaurants HERE (all 99 of them). The local market is on Fridays, located by the mini-amusement park. If you want to go a bit further but not drive, you can rent electrical bikes HERE.
The town is small enough to just walk around and look at menues and pick a place you like the look of. Updated reviews can be found in the Facebook group "Moraira eats and drinks". There are a number of places with live music, e.g. La Experencia, Floridita, OPE and Ambassador. The largest and most longstanding one is Saxo.
Watch a video about Moraira HERE.
El Portet
EL PORTET
One of the most beautiful bays along the cost
Part of Moraira, El Portet is a 10 min walk away along a pretty coastal walk. Apart from the beach, El Portet also have two of Moraira´s best restaurants, "Le Dauphin" and "Mañet", as well as chiringuitos (beach bars/rest) "Raco" and "Portet", and new for 2021 the lovely "La Casita".
Over looking the bay is Cap d’Or, an 18th century fortress that served as a lookout point to protect the town from pirates. From the top you will have fantastic views both over Moraira and the other side of the peninsula.
Snorkelling depths alongside the left coastline (as you look out from the bay) out from El Portet bay.
You will see plenty of colourful fish, the Posidonia seagrass, the odd octopus and if you're lucky, a sea turtle. More snorkeling and diving routes HERE.
Cala Moraig
Twenty minutes from Moraira by car, over Cumbre del sol where a La Vuelta stage finish, you'll find Cala Moraig with its pebbled beach, great snorkeling and restaurant on the beach (closed 2021). It's a steep last 100 metres so if you have a weak car, park at the top.
Walks & Hikes
Benissa eco-walk
The "Sendero Azul" coastal walk west of Moraira, past Benissa all the way to Calpe
An impressive walk that passes through different Benissa coves such as Advocat, Llobella, Pinets and Fustera and then on to Calpe. Start your walk at either end. There's a small part where you have to go up to the main road but then the walk carries on by the next cove.
Beach restaurant examples: Cala Advocat: La Pillotte, Cala Fustera: Mandala Beach, Calla Bassetes: Coral Beach.
Cala Llebeig to Cala Moraig
Beautiful walk on the other (Eastern) side of the Moraira peninsula. Not paved as the Benissa one, wear good shoes.
Time: 1 h 30 min
Net Elevation: 95m
Accumulated drop: +108 m / -112 m
Access to the trail: Access at the beginning by Camino de la Viuda - Calle Canario (Moraira) or access at the end by Cumbre del Sol; Cala Moraig car park (Benitachell).
Sierra Bernia
Starting at an altitude of 650 metres, then ascending another 450 takes you up to some stunning views on the largest mountain seen from Moraira.
Time: 4 hours
Distance: 10 km
Access to the trail:
The start is at the Bernia Barbecue car park high up a steep badly surfaced road above Altea La Vieja. Detailed directions HERE.
Peñon de Ifach, Calpe
Commonly called the Calpe rock, Peñon de Ifach is the rock you see across the water from Moraira. A sweaty one hour climb will award you with incredible views.
Time: 2 hours
Access to the trail:
By the visitor centre/parking. A paved walk way and tunnel takes you half way up. From there on it's a climb with no paths however no equipment is needed, just water :)
More info HERE.
Cap D'Or, Moraira
Over looking El Portet bay is Cap d’Or, an 18th century fortress that served as a lookout point to protect the town from pirates. From the top you will have fantastic views both over Moraira and the other side of the peninsula.
Access to the trail: The path up to the fort starts at Calle Puerto de Alcudia.
Time: 1 hour
More info HERE.
Within 30 mins
ALTEA
30 mins drive
A beautiful Spanish village with narrow pebbled streets leading up to the church at the top. The streets at the top have various restaurants and bars, some with lovely views.
GOLF
10 - 30 minutes
- Golf Ifach (pictured) - 9 holes with great views. Moraira.
- Javea Golf - 9 holes and driving range. Javea.
- La Sella - 27 holes. Denia.
- Oliva Nova - 18 Holes, Oliva.
ALMOND BLOSSOMING
30 mins drive
Drive through Jalon valley (or start walking there) up to Castell de Castells late January - early February and you will be rewarded by exploding colours against amazing mountainous backdrops.
OTHER TOWNS
Javea/Xabia – 20 minutes drive
Is a lovely old town and fishing port with a modern beach area called “Arenal”. We prefer the port area with restaurants such as Cala Bandida by the water.
They have a VO version cinema, “Cine Jayan” and other activities such as clay pigeon shooting, SUP lessons and break out rooms.
Benidorm – 30 minutes drive. Infamous but there are many attractions in Benidorm and believe it or not, a quite nice old town. Outside lies several water parks, amusement parks and the Finestrat shopping centre with bowling etc.
Calpe – 20 mins drive. If you’re fit there is a cracking 2 hour climb up the “Penon de Ifach” that you can do.
Bring water!!
Denia – 40 minutes drive
Old town with a large castle and port area with miles of beaches.
Within 1 hour
ALGAR WATERFALLS
40 mins drive
Close to Altea, you will find the Algar waterfalls, Fuentes del Algar.
A picturesque nature reserve featuring waterfalls, pools you can swim in, a walking track and restaurants. Down the road is a mini-dinosaur park.
CASTELL DE GUADALEST
50 minutes
Carrying on from Algar you will get to the mountain town of Guadalest. Very picturesque and worth a stop, including the castle museum. There is a motorcycle and cars museum on the way back towards the coast.
SAFARI AITANA
1 hour 10 mins drive
1 million (!) square metres safari park making it a nicer experience for both animals and visitors who are all walking around free (apart from the lions and tigers unfortunately but understandably). Check website for feeding times and you can tag along a guide giving you talks as you drive around.
COVA DE LOS CALAVARES
37 mins drive
Extensive 900m-long cavern system with rock formations like stalactites & stalagmites, plus fossils.
Over 1 hour away
Alicante
1 hour drive
Perfect sized city for a weekend's tapasbar hopping, and boy do they have some good tapas.
VALENCIA
1 hour 30 mins drive
Spain's third largest city combines city break with beach but is a lot bigger with very distinctive different districts. Read up properly and pick 2 or three parts to discover. And if you can go during the annual Las Fallas festival, it is like nothing else you've seen.
FORMENTERA
2 hour (car or foot) ferry from Dénia
The beautiful smaller balearic island with amazing beaches, turquoise waters and great food.
Over 2 hours away:
/ other Spanish travel blogs:
- Teruel & Albarracín (2.5 hrs, pictured)
- Formentera, (2.5hrs)
- Alpujarras and
- Granada. (4hrs)
Rainy day tips
It's rare, but when it rains, it RAINS!
- Play pool at La Cucaracha, El Garaje etc. Moraira
- Pottery café workshops, Moraira.
- Bowling at La Marina, Finestrat.
- English version cinema Jaen, Javea.
- Valor chocolate museum, Villa Joyosa.
- Bungy for kids, At Pure wellness, Cumbre del sol.
- Covered driving range, Javea golf.
- Aquarium, I-Max and indoor science museum, Valencia.
- Cueva de las Calaveras caves, see above.
- Wine tasting, Teulada, Jalon etc.
- Indoor public swimming pool, Benitachell.
- La Marina shopping malls (Finestrat, Ondara).
- Light a fire, open a bottle of Ribera del Duero, get the board games out.
GALLERY
- click image to start slide.
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