Moraira, di barat laut Costa Blanca, tidak diragukan lagi adalah salah satu resor paling murni di seluruh garis pantai Costa Blanca. Moraira, sebuah kota kecil di distrik Marina Alta di provinsi Alicante (sekitar 80 kilometer utara Alicante), dulunya hanyalah sekelompok kecil pondok nelayan yang terletak di dekat laut, yang dikelola oleh kota tetangga Teulada. Sejak itu, tempat ini telah berkembang menjadi resor liburan yang lebih eksklusif, dengan tetap mempertahankan sebagian besar aura damainya. Selama musim panas yang sibuk, populasi permanen kota yang berjumlah 9.500 (sebagian besar adalah orang asing) tumbuh menjadi sekitar 30.000.
Moraira, yang terletak di teluk terlindung yang dikelilingi oleh lanskap pegunungan yang megah, telah menghindari blok apartemen besar yang telah mengganggu beberapa resor tetangganya, dan sejumlah besar strukturnya adalah rumah menarik yang terletak di antara kebun jeruk dan hutan pinus.
Moraira, seperti banyak kota dan desa lain di sepanjang bentangan pantai ini, telah berkembang pesat berkat bisnis perikanan, dan pasar ikan kota yang sibuk (Lonja) adalah salah satu yang paling populer di daerah tersebut. Anggur Muscatel tumbuh berlimpah di daerah sekitar Moraira dan Teulada, dan sebagian besar anggur digunakan untuk membuat anggur pemenang penghargaan yang luar biasa di daerah itu.
Moraira terletak jauh dari jalan pantai yang populer (N332), sehingga tidak harus berurusan dengan arus masuk wisatawan yang sangat besar seperti yang dilakukan oleh banyak resor yang berdekatan.
Terlepas dari kenyataan bahwa sejarah sejarah Moraira dimulai dengan bangsa Moor selama penaklukan Arab, diyakini ada penduduk di daerah sekitar Moraira pada awal Zaman Perunggu – gambar gua dari periode ini telah ditemukan di Teulada terdekat. Bukti telah ditemukan di sebuah gua di Cap D’Or (Golden Cape) yang menunjukkan bahwa ada komunitas sebelumnya di sini di Era Paleolitik Atas (15.000-20.000 SM).
The Moors created Moraira, and although they were conquered and banished by Jaime I in the 13th century, they left an indelible influence on the town’s architecture, irrigation methods, and agricultural systems. There is an old story that Moraira’s name is derived from ‘Ira la Mora,’ the name of a pagan princess, but there is no evidence to back this up; a much more likely explanation is that it is taken from the Arabic for’moorish princess.’
The now repaired Moraira castle (Torréon), which was severely destroyed by British forces in 1801, was initially built in 1742 by the governing Bourbon dynasty of the period, and their shield still remains over the gateway. Though it is recognized as a castle, it was initially constructed as a defense tower to guard against pirate invasions and today overlooks one of the most popular beaches in the area, Playa de la Ampolla.
The popular fish market (Lonja) is conducted daily (Tuesday-Sunday) in the modest port, and the excellent marina, which built in 1985, is home to the Moraira Club Nautico.
Moraira’s two main beaches are both ‘blue flag’ certified, and were among the first in Europe to receive this honor. The beaches are well-kept, clean, and safe for families, with a variety of water sports activities such as jet skiing, diving, sailing, and water skiing accessible. Every week, a Friday market is hosted near the beach, where you may buy fresh, locally grown fruit, clothing, gifts, and leather goods.
Golfers can play a round or two at the neighboring Ifach Golf Club while admiring the stunning views of the surrounding coastline, which include the spectacular Peon de Ifach in nearby Calpe.
Moraira also claims to be home to one of Spain’s best restaurants, the award-winning ‘Girasol,’ which is said to be the best on the Costa Blanca.
Moraira, like most Spanish towns, hosts a number of fiestas and festivals, the most notable of which are the Moors and Christians (Moros y Cristianos) festival, which takes place between June 14 and June 20, the Virgen del Carmen (15th-16th July), and the Fisherman’s Fiesta, which takes place in July.
Moraira has a temperate Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters, and receives over 300 days of sunshine each year, along with the rest of the region. Throughout the hot summer months, the town benefits from cooling sea breezes that keep temperatures tolerable, and during the winter, the neighboring mountains shield Moraira from cold northerly winds, keeping temperatures pleasant.
Moraira is located between Javea and Calpe, around 30 kilometers from Benidorm, and is accessible through the N332 coast road and the A-7 highway (junction 63).