Moraira Holidays: Beaches, Castle and Getting There
Provincia de Alicante · Valencia · Spain · 1,845 residents · on the coast
Moraira is a small coastal town in the province of Alicante, in the Valencia region, home to around 1,845 people and sitting just 17 metres above sea level. Everything that matters for a holiday here is close at hand: the Castell de Moraira stands about 0.2 miles from the centre, Platja de l'Ampolla is a short stroll away, and three more beaches lie within 1.3 miles. Summers are hot and dry, with highs of 30°C in July and August, while winter days still reach around 16°C. Alicante, Valencia and Murcia airports all have direct flights from the United Kingdom, and the ferry port at Dénia is 11 miles up the coast.
Why go
- Castell de Moraira and Platja de l'Ampolla sit side by side, both within a quarter-mile of the centre.
- July brings 30°C highs and only around 4 mm of rain across the whole month.
- Alicante airport, with direct UK flights, is roughly 47 miles away, about 70 minutes by car.
Top sights in Moraira
Castle, Beaches and Coves
The town's best-known landmark is the Castell de Moraira, listed as a cultural property of Teulada, the municipality Moraira belongs to. It stands about 0.2 miles from the centre, so it fits easily into an evening walk or a morning before the beach.
Moraira is above all a beach town, and the beaches here are well suited to families. Platja de l'Ampolla is the main one, roughly a quarter-mile from the centre and right beside the castle. Playa de les Playetes lies about 0.6 miles away, while Playa La Galera and Llebeig are around 1.2 and 1.3 miles out respectively, worth the extra walk or short drive for a change of scene.
Tours, activities and tickets in and around Moraira can be booked directly on this page, with the available options shown in the booking cards.
Tours & tickets in Moraira
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Moraira can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Moraira
Choosing Your Base in Moraira
With fewer than 2,000 residents, Moraira is a compact, low-lying town where the sea is never far away. Staying near the centre puts the castle and Platja de l'Ampolla within a few minutes on foot, which is the simplest choice for families who want the beach on the doorstep.
If you would rather be closer to the smaller beaches, the stretch towards Playa La Galera and Llebeig, a little over a mile from the centre, is the place to look. Those after a larger town with more going on in the evenings can consider Calp, about 6 miles away, as an alternative base. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options across Moraira for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Moraira and the villages around it is a hire car from Alicante (ALC), about 1 h 7 min away.
Best time to visit Moraira
When to Visit Moraira
- 16°CJan21 mm
- 16°CFeb35 mm
- 19°CMar18 mm
- 20°CApr17 mm
- 22°CMay43 mm
- 26°CJun16 mm
- 30°CJul4 mm
- 30°CAug28 mm
- 27°CSept49 mm
- 25°COct51 mm
- 21°CNov9 mm
- 17°CDec13 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are June, July, August and October. June brings highs of 26°C, and July and August are the hottest, both reaching 30°C with nights around 23°C. July is also the driest month of the year, with only about 4 mm of rain.
The wettest spell comes in early autumn: September sees around 49 mm over nine rainy days and October about 51 mm, although October still averages a warm 25°C. May can also be showery, with 43 mm across eight days. Winter is mild rather than warm, with January and February highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C, while April and November offer dry, comfortable days around 20 to 21°C.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 9°C | 21 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 9°C | 35 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 19°C | 11°C | 18 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 20°C | 12°C | 17 mm | 12 h |
| May | 22°C | 15°C | 43 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 19°C | 16 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 30°C | 23°C | 4 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 23°C | 28 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 20°C | 49 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 17°C | 51 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 21°C | 13°C | 9 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 10°C | 13 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Moraira from the UK
Three airports with direct flights from the United Kingdom serve Moraira. Alicante is the closest, about 47 miles away and roughly 70 minutes by car. Valencia is around 65 miles away, about an hour and a half's drive, and Murcia is around 92 miles away, a little over two hours by road. Car hire is the most practical way to cover the final stretch from any of them.
Those driving from home can expect roughly 20 hours behind the wheel from Calais, best split over two or three days. For island hops, the ferry port at Dénia is only about 11 miles away, with sailings to Ibiza, Formentera and Palma. Valencia's port, around 58 miles away, adds routes to Palma, Ibiza and Maó, as well as Tangier Med in Morocco.
By air
- Alicante (ALC)47 miles, about 1 h 7 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Valencia (VLC)65 miles, about 1 h 31 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Murcia (RMU)92 miles, about 2 h 10 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 19 h 48 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Dénia (11 miles), Valencia (58 miles), Ibiza (72 miles).
Moraira is good for
Around Moraira
Day Trips Along the Coast
Several neighbouring towns are close enough for a half-day outing. Teulada and Benitachell are both about 3 miles away, with Benissa around 5 miles off and Calp, a town of over 23,000 people, about 6 miles along the coast.
Further afield, Denia, the largest town nearby with around 41,700 residents, is roughly 11 miles away, and Altea is about 12 miles south. La Nucia and Polop, both around 15 miles from Moraira, make a full day out for those with a hire car.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Moraira is small, with around 1,845 residents, so for larger shops and services you may find yourself heading to Teulada or Benissa, each just a few miles away and home to over 13,000 people. Having a car makes this, and the airport run, far easier.
If you are travelling in September or October, pack a light waterproof: these are the rainiest months of the year, even though temperatures stay in the mid to high 20s. In July and August, with highs of 30°C and the town barely above sea level, plan beach time for the morning and late afternoon.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to Moraira?
Alicante is the nearest airport, about 47 miles from Moraira and roughly 70 minutes by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Valencia and Murcia also have direct UK flights, at around an hour and a half and just over two hours' drive respectively.
What is the weather like in Moraira in summer?
Summers are hot and mostly dry. July and August both reach highs of around 30°C with overnight lows near 23°C, and July sees only about 4 mm of rain across the month. June is a little gentler, with highs of 26°C.
Is Moraira good for a family beach holiday?
Yes. Its beaches are suited to families, and Platja de l'Ampolla lies about a quarter-mile from the centre. Playa de les Playetes, Playa La Galera and Llebeig are all within about 1.3 miles, and the Castell de Moraira is right beside the main beach.
When does it rain most in Moraira?
The wettest months are September and October, with roughly 49 mm and 51 mm of rain respectively, and September has around nine rainy days. May is also fairly showery. By contrast, July, November and December are among the driest months of the year.
Can I take a ferry to the Balearic Islands from near Moraira?
Yes. The port at Dénia, about 11 miles away, has ferries to Ibiza, Formentera and Palma. Valencia's port, around 58 miles away, offers further routes to Palma, Ibiza and Maó, plus a crossing to Tangier Med in Morocco.
How long does it take to drive to Moraira from Calais?
The drive from Calais takes roughly 20 hours, so most travellers split it over two or three days. Arriving with your own car does make it easy to explore nearby towns such as Calp, Denia and Altea during your stay.