Things to do in Moraira

Local guide

About Moraira

Teulada-Moraira is a municipality with two centres that complement each other. Teulada, inland, beside the N-332 between Benissa and Gata de Gorgos, is the historic centre. Moraira, on the coast, has fishing roots: its parish church, dedicated to the Virgen de los Desamparados, was built at the end of the 19th century on the old fishermen's hermitage, and Moraira still has a fishermen's guild (Cofradía de Pescadores).

Moraira's coast is marked by defence against piracy. Moraira castle, a small fort on a rocky rise overlooking l'Ampolla beach and the whole bay, was long dated to the 16th century, but it is now known to be from the 18th: above its door is the Bourbon coat of arms, dated 1742. On Cap d'Or stands a 16th-century Renaissance watchtower, built following the engineer Antonelli's report of 1563.

Between the two points lie a string of quiet beaches. L'Ampolla beach, sandy and with a Blue Flag, is the main one, and El Portet, about 350 metres long with a gently sloping seabed, is very suitable for families.

In Teulada, the church of Santa Catalina, from the last third of the 16th century, shows the other side of the same story: it was church and fortress at once, built to protect the population from Barbary raids. About three kilometres away, the hermitage of the Font Santa, dedicated to San Vicente Ferrer, is the setting for pilgrimages and fiestas of its own.

The calendar is busy. In April, Teulada celebrates Sant Vicent Ferrer; in June, Moraira holds its Moros y Cristianos, with the Moorish conquest and Christian reconquest; and in July come Moraira's patron saint fiestas, with «bous a la mar» (bulls in the sea), the day of the Virgen de los Desamparados and a sea procession for the Virgen del Carmen. The weekly street markets are on Wednesdays in Teulada and Fridays in Moraira, and Teulada TRAM station, on line 9, connects with Dénia and Benidorm.

Things to do

Must-see places

1. Castillo de Moraira: 18th-century fort above l'Ampolla beach, with a Bourbon coat of arms from 1742.
2. Torre del Cap d'Or: 16th-century Renaissance watchtower on Cap d'Or.
3. Playa de l'Ampolla: 440-metre Blue Flag sandy beach with a seafront promenade.
4. Playa del Portet: beach of about 350 metres with a gently sloping seabed, suitable for families.
5. Iglesia de Santa Catalina (Teulada): 16th-century fortified church, both church and defence.
6. Ermita de la Font Santa: hermitage dedicated to San Vicente Ferrer, about 3 km from Teulada.