Moraira

A small coastal town, Moraira is situated in the beautiful mountainous area of the Costa Blanca. Moraira lies in a bay, on the South Eastern coast of Spain, between Javea and Calpe. Its coastline extends for 8 kilometers with a selection of fine sandy beaches and the occasional rocky inlet. The resort is conveniently placed between the airports of Alicante and Valencia (about 90km from each) with excellent motorway and coastal roads from both.

The town has pleasantly grown from a small fishing village to an attractive holiday and retirement resort retaining its considerable charm that attracts visitors from all over Europe and is particularly popular with Spanish from Madrid and Valencia. It has an impressive marina, excellent variety of local shops, weekly open markets, harbour-side fish restaurants and bars still retaining their Spanish character.

The two main local gently-shelving sandy beaches, awarded the prestigious EEC Blue Flags for cleanliness, are well tended and very safe for family bathing. In fact the whole of the Costa Blanca has 34 Blue Flag beaches. Other local leisure facilities include 3 large Golf courses, tennis, football, squash, all water sports, boat hire and trips, horse-riding, go-kart racing tracks for both adults and children, a small fairground and three good night-clubs for all ages. There are many good quality restaurants (see list at bottom of page of just a small selection). There are 8 Michelin recommended restaurants in the immediate area with three of them being star rated and not expensive either.


Moraira enjoys a typical subtropical Mediterranean climate, with cool sea breezes in summer and protection by surrounding mountains against the cold North winds in winter. The area averages nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine each year and the average temperature easily exceeds 20 degrees. In 1986 the World Health Organisation recommended the climate of the area as one of the most equitable in the world - neither too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter. On average it can boast 325 sunny days each year making it an ideal all year round destination.

The yacht club of Moraira has 620 berths. It has a sailing school, clubhouse, restaurant and boat repair yard. The harbour of Moraira is still a working fishing port supplying fish to the local restaurants.

The promenade in Moraira stretches from the Yacht club along to Ampolla beach, one of the four blue flag beaches. The 18th century Moraira tower situated beside the beach is a reminder of the days when the Costa Blanca coast was attacked by pirates.

RESTAURANTS

There are many great restaurants to be found in Moraira.  Listed below are just a selection of exceptionally good ones.

ive Tree Restaurant, Camino del Paellero 4, Moraira - Teulada 03724. Tel: (96) 649 06 55

When The Olive Tree first opened in Moraira in 1995. It is located just off the Moraira to Calpe coast road about 3 km from the centre of Moraira. Karen O’Neill runs the The Olive Tree, and Karen has built a thriving restaurant with an innovative menu at an affordable price that brings together the best of traditional and modern cuisine.

There is no a la carte at The Olive Tree, instead you can choose from the restaurant’s set price menu that changes seasonally. You can enjoy a very reasonable three-course meal plus half a bottle of wine per person with a choice of starters, main courses and desserts.

The Pescador is a Spanish owned restaurant down by the port in Moraira. Sit outside on a nice day and enjoy the view. In winter they have a fantastic value fixed price lunch, where for a knock down price you can enjoy grilled fresh, and I mean fresh, fish. The staff are Spanish and friendly. They do not rush you, and you can really enjoy watching the world go by.  Their specialty, as you would expect, is fresh fish from the Port of Moraira. Good value for money.  Reservations:966492410

CAFE 11 - A Dutch owned restaurant, located close to the Castillo in Moraira, Restaurant Eleven offers relaxed and friendly dining. At lunchtime you can choose from the delicious à la carte menu . All menus change frequently and are created from the best ingredients they can source. In the afternoon you can enjoy a cup of coffee and a cake on their pavement terrace.

In the evenings they serve different courses of meat and fish and have a great value tasting menu (2,3 or 4 courses), giving guests the opportunity to taste all of their specialties. The evening menu price depends on the number of courses you opt for. But it is just over 20€ a head, and for 2 with a bottle of their very good house wine will come to just over 50€.  Reservations: 966490060  www.eleven.nu/

Pasta House

An Italian-German owned restaurant where the owners pride themselves in only using fresh ingredients, and guarantee you that nothing will come out of a microwave and nothing is prepared from frozen.  Located along near the main Moraira Car Park ( parade of shops by Mr Car Rental offices). All the pasta and pizzas are made in house and of a high standard.  Good food at a good price. Reservations: 9664918 98 www.pastahouse-moraira

 The CA Pepe Restaurant is tucked away among the villas, a couple of kilometers from the centre of Moraira, on the road up towards Benimeit. Try following the signs to the Swiss Moraira Hotel. The restaurant is surrounded by pine-tree and vines and has magnificent rustic architecture and an interior decorated in natural stone.  You can enjoy an impressive array of Mediterranean dishes with contrasting flavours and fresh ingredients on one of the terraces or in the dining room inside. There is a 4-course lunch menu and a seasonal Menú Degustación.  Reservations: 966 490 144