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 tranquility, 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.

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.

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

Tabaira – 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.