10 Best things to do in Moraira, Spain
Nestled along the stunning Costa Blanca, Moraira is a gem known for its exclusivity and natural beauty. Whether you’re drawn to its beaches, rich history, picturesque port, or charming alleys, Moraira offers a delightful blend of seaside allure and traditional fishing heritage, now infused with a touch of luxury tourism.
What sets Moraira apart is its unspoiled appeal-less crowded and developed compared to other spots along the coast. Here, you’ll find a harmonious mix of low-rise architecture (with occasional exceptions) that complements the landscape beautifully. Its enchanting old town, hidden coves, and delectable culinary scene are increasingly popular among both local residents and international visitors.
In this guide, we’ll provide insights on getting to Moraira and highlight the must-visit attractions in and around the area, ensuring you have an unforgettable trip filled with unique experiences.
Where is Moraira (Alicante)?
Moraira is situated within the municipality of Teulada-Moraira in the Marina Alta region of Alicante, Spain. It features two main urban areas: Moraira, which is located along the coast and will be the focus of this article, and Teulada, which is about 6 kilometers inland.
Moraira is approximately 13 kilometers away from Calpe and 33 kilometers from Denia.
How to get to Moraira?
Getting to Moraira:
By Car: To reach Moraira by car, take the A7 highway and exit at Teulada via route N332.
By Public Transport: If traveling from Alicante, you can take an ALSA bus to Teulada. Visit their website for prices, schedules, and booking details. From Teulada, you’ll need to take a bus or taxi to Moraira.
Shared Vehicle: Another option is carpooling, especially from cities like Alicante or Benidorm, which can be convenient for less frequented routes in Spain.
From Calpe: There’s a bus service (line 3) that operates between Calpe, Moraira, and Teulada with 4 or 5 buses daily in each direction, varying by season. The cost is around 1.50 euros, and the journey takes approximately 35 to 45 minutes, depending on your location in Calpe.
✨ Book your day trip to explore Jávea and Moraira, departing from Alicante, right here!
10 Best things to do in Moraira, Spain
1. Moraira Old Town Exploration
The old town of Moraira may be small, but it’s packed with charm and historic character. Take a leisurely stroll through its quaint streets to discover its main attractions and picturesque corners.
Don’t miss the Santa Maria de los Desamparados Church, surrounded by beautiful white facades. After exploring, unwind at the nearby bars and restaurants.
2. Moraira Harbor
Discover Moraira’s prestigious yacht club at the harbor, known for its luxurious marina on the Costa Blanca. Explore the fishing port and the Lonja building, once a bustling fish auction spot (nowadays, you can see this in Calpe!)
3. Moraira Castle and Seafront
The 18th-century castle in Moraira was constructed as a defensive stronghold against pirate raids, making it a significant symbol and landmark of the town. Above its entrance, you’ll spot the Bourbon coat of arms dating back to 1742.
Situated along the seafront, just a few steps from the historic center, the castle offers panoramic views towards L’Ampolla beach. Adjacent to the castle’s outside esplanade, you’ll encounter the sculpture mentioned in the next item of this list of things to do in Moraira.
The castle is open for visits on Fridays to Sundays (excluding holidays) from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
4. The Salt Giant and Sculptures
The Salt Giant sculpture by Coderch and Malavia, situated on the esplanade near the castle in Moraira, is a captivating artwork worth visiting. It symbolizes the resilience of humanity to rise again after facing challenges or catastrophes—a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit.
In addition to the Salt Giant, Moraira boasts other remarkable sculptures and works of art. Some notable pieces include a tribute to the people of the sea and a sculpture of a man gazing out at the sea.
5. Beach Escapes
Visiting the coves and beaches in Moraira is a must-do experience. One of the standout features of Moraira’s coastline is the stunning turquoise water and the fascinating array of seabed colors—it’s truly a sight to behold!
Moraira offers beaches to suit every preference, but our favorite has to be Portet Beach. Located just one kilometer from the town center, the road leading to Portet Beach offers breathtaking sea views along the way.
✨Take a kayak tour with stops for snorkeling and enjoy the coast from Moraira to Benitachell. Book it here!
6. Cap d’Or Tower
The old 16th-century watchtower known as Cap d’Or is a remarkable landmark visible from afar, including from Calpe and Benissa. It offers panoramic views of the entire Moraira bay.
To reach Cap d’Or, start at the end of Portet Beach and ascend some stairs, followed by a walk up a paved street with a steep incline. After navigating a couple of curves, you’ll encounter the beginning of the trail leading to Cap d’Or.
Along the rocky path, there’s a detour with a rustic staircase that leads to the Cendres cave. Further along, you’ll reach a viewpoint before arriving at the tower itself.
While access to the interior of the tower is restricted, the views from Cap d’Or are truly spectacular. It’s a perfect spot to witness a mesmerizing sunset over Moraira.
7. Cave Exploration
Moraira is home to two famous caves that have been inhabited since ancient times, dating back to the Paleolithic era.
The first cave, Cova de la Cendra or Cova de les Cendres (cave of ashes), is considered one of the most significant prehistoric sites in the region. You can access this cave via stairs along the route to Cap d’Or tower.
The second cave, Cova de les Rates (rat cave), was formed by water erosion in the rock and is also located near Cap d’Or. However, this cave can only be accessed by sea and is situated on the opposite side of the peninsula, facing the bay of Moraira. The name “rat cave” comes from the species of bats that inhabit it. You can experience this cave by joining a kayak and snorkel tour that passes by this intriguing site.
8. Senillar Marsh
The Marjal del Senillar is a coastal wetland near Moraira, designated as a Wildlife Reserve due to its importance for the conservation of endangered “fartet” fish.
Situated next to the center of Moraira and L’Ampolla beach, this wetland is characterized by lagoons whose waters are separated from the sea by sandy beaches.
9. Viewpoints Tour
The Moraira Viewpoints Route (Ruta de los Miradores) is a scenic journey spanning just over 4 kilometers (one way), offering spectacular views of Moraira’s coastline and beaches. It’s important to note that this route is distinct from the Benitatxell Cliffs Route (Ruta de los Acantilados de Benitatxell).
The route starts at Portet Beach and extends to Túnez Street (near the Pepe la Sal supermarket). However, after completing the entire length, the last kilometer doesn’t offer significant coastal views, so we recommend focusing on a 3-kilometer stretch from El Portet to Cala L’Andragó for the best experience.
Along this route, you’ll encounter various viewpoints showcasing Moraira’s beauty:
Embark on this route to immerse yourself in Moraira’s natural splendor, with each viewpoint offering unique perspectives of the town’s coastal charm and stunning landscapes.
10. Moraira Market
Immerse yourself in local culture at Moraira’s bustling market held every Friday in a public parking lot behind the historic center. Explore stalls filled with local goods and crafts, offering a true taste of the town.
What to do in Moraira in one day
If you are visiting Moraira in one day, it is best to focus on just a few attractions.
For example, you could tour the old town of Moraira, the promenade with the castle and then take the viewpoint route to Portet beach to spend the day.
There you could climb the Cap d’Or Tower or have a drink in one of the bars and restaurants with sea views.
If your visit to Moraira is on a Friday, you could start the day with a stroll through the weekly market.
Route from Calpe to Moraira along the coast
If you enjoy walking and are considering the coastal route from Calpe to Moraira, here’s some insight based on our experience.
The ecological walkway begins after Cala Calalga in Calpe and continues along the beaches of Benissa, offering scenic views and a pleasant coastal stroll.
However, it’s important to note that the trail becomes less favorable beyond Cala Baladrar. From this point to Cala Andragó in Moraira, the path veers away from the coastline and runs alongside the main road, which can be less enjoyable and potentially unsafe due to heavy traffic.
During our walk, we opted to take detours through secondary streets to avoid walking directly along the busy road.
What to see near Moraira: day trips
If Moraira will be your base, there are many other destinations and towns to see near
Moraira on a day trip.
The most comfortable thing is to have a vehicle to see these places to visit near Moraira. If you use public transport, the easiest to visit from Moraira are Benissa and Calpe.
Map of places to visit in Moraira
I hope this Moraira travel guide was useful to plan your trip. Do you have other suggestions for cool things to do in Moraira that I missed? Let me know in the comments!
