Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

November 10, 2010

Moraira Costa Blanca

Filed under: Costa Blanca,Holidays,Spain,Travel — Tags: , — needahand @ 1:49 pm
Moraira Port and Marina

Moraira Port and Marina

An attractive town on the northern Costa Blanca, Spain, Moraira is located just a few miles from Javea. Up to around forty years ago Moraira was little more than a few fishermens cottages, sitting along the sea front. Although a marina and a number of urbanizations have since been built, the town has still retained much of its original quaint charm, most of the property in the area comprises isolated detached villas set amongst trees and vegetation. The beaches of Moraira have decent sand and warm, clear water, and are the ideal place to enjoy the wonderful Moraira weather, which is mostly sunny and dry throughout the year. The main beach of Moraira, Playa de L’ Ampolla, is within easy walking distance of Moraira’s town centre but it can get very busy during the summer season. A little to the south is the excellent beach of the Platgetes which is lined by a promenade. There are several pretty bays along the coast around Moraira, some of which are very rocky, making them perfect for snorkeling or diving. One of the finest coves is the Cala Punta Estrella, which can be accessed via steps dug into the cliff face. The pretty marina which is located close to the town centre and has over six hundred berths. Moraira is a desirable location for the purchase of holiday property and has also seen many expats settle permanently in the resort over the last 30 years or so.

Moraira Street Map.

May 17, 2010

Altea Costa Blanca

Filed under: Costa Blanca,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , , , , , , — needahand @ 10:19 am

A coastal town and municipality situated in the Alicante province of the Costa Blanca, Spain, Altea is a popular holiday destination which is more attractive and peaceful than the neighbouring resorts of Benidorm and Calpe. Altea has a resident population of around 18,000, though this of course rises considerably during the hectic summer season. The area of the municipality of Altea is 34.4 square kilometres, taking in several small villages such as Altea la Vella a charming little place. The history of Altea stretches back into the mists of time when ancient Greeks traded along this coast, with later Phoenicians, Romans and then Moors all trading in the Bay of Altea. After the Christian reconquest, the town was fortified to protect it from further incursions, the enclosed area now forming the old town of Altea. The town is renowned for its picturesque blue domed church, the Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, much photographed and definitely one of the symbols of the Costa Blanca region. Altea of course like the entire Costa Blanca region, enjoys wonderful weather conditions for most of the year, with long hours of sunshine and low rainfall, making it ideal for beach style holidays. Apart from Benidorm and Calpe, there are a number of small coastal resorts surrounding Altea, amongst these are Albir, Finestrat, Benissa and Moraira. Altea can easily be accessed from the N-332 coast road, it is about 32 miles north of Alicante.

Altea Map.

September 8, 2009

Calpe Costa Blanca

Filed under: Costa Blanca,History,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 11:41 am
Penon de Ifach Calpe

Penon de Ifach Calpe

One of the northern Costa Blanca’s major holiday destinations, Calpe is located north of the massive resort of Benidorm and south of the more laid back resort of Moraira. Calpe boasts one of the Costa Blanca’s best known landmarks in the form of the Penon de Ifach rock formation, now a protected Natural Park. Calpe was formerly just a small fishing village and was originally the site of Iberian settlements, the Romans arrived there during their conquest of the Iberian Peninsular and founded a fish salting factory near the present day beach, remains of which still exist in the form of the Queen’s Baths. The Penon de Ifach was always important for the town as a watchtower and was also the location of the town of Ifach which was later destroyed during the War of the Two Pedros. Calpe itself grew after this and developed as a walled town often attacked by pirates. During the mid-twentieth century a small tourism industry developed and this grew into a major earner for the town by the 1970’s. Attracting those seeking a slightly more laid back atmosphere than its neighbour Benidorm which is one of the world’s major seaside resorts, Calpe is still more developed than many of the areas other towns and has a good range of facilties. Map of Calpe.

August 26, 2009

Benissa, Teulada, Benitachell and Cumbre del Sol

Filed under: Costa Blanca,Spain — Tags: , , , , , — needahand @ 11:48 am

Surrounding the northern Costa Blanca resort of Moraira there are a number of interesting little towns which are less well known than this more popular coastal town, these include the towns of Benissa, Teulada, Benitachell and Cumbre del Sol. Benissa is an interesting town with a history going back to the times of the Moors (the name is from the Arabic Banu-Issa), the old town is well preserved and has some important historic monuments. Equally old is Teulada, with its narrow winding streets and “Sea Doorway” an ancient part of the old medieval walls which protected the town. The small town of Benitachell is between Moraira and Javea and has a number of new developments surrounding it including the largest, Cumbre del Sol which also has its own small beach and enjoys wonderful panoramic sea views.

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