Teulada Moraira – Discover it

Teulada-Moraira is a municipality in the Marina Alta region formed by two different population centers; one located in the interior (Teulada) and the other on the coast (Moraira). For administrative purposes, Moraira is part of Teulada and both share town hall.

It is one of the most visited municipalities of the Alicante coast due to its great cultural offer, entertainment and gastronomy.

It is not surprising that Teulada-Moraira triples its population in high season compared to the rest of the year and goes from 11,467 inhabitants to more than 30,000 during the summer months, with 55.5% being of foreign nationality.

Being formed by two urban centers, Teulada-Moraira can presume of having history, traditions, culture and monuments, times two, which makes it one of the preferred locations in this area to discover throughout the year.

The most interesting thing about Teulada-Moraira

How to get to Teulada-Moraira

The municipality of Teulada-Moraira is located in a privileged area of the Marina Alta, halfway to other municipalities of great tourist affluence, such as Jávea, Calpe or Benissa.

Its great hotel and different activities makes Teulada-Moraira one of the favorite places for tourists to stay during their holidays on the Costa Blanca, as it allows knowing other places within walking distance.

You reach Teulada through the N-332, between Gata de Gorgos and Benissa. On the other hand, Moraira is 6 kilometers from Teulada following the coast road.

The towns of Jávea and Calpe are about 20 minutes by car from Teulada-Moraira, while Benissa is reached in 10 minutes via the N-332.

Altea or Benidorm can be visited from Teulada-Moraira in just over half an hour by car.

Valencia is 120 kilometers from Teulada-Moraira and Alicante, 80 kilometers with access to high-capacity land routes and an international airport less than an hour away by car.

Where is Teulada?

In the following map you can see the exact place where the urban center of Teulada is, as well as configure all kinds of routes to get there.

¿Where is Moraira?

Moraira is 6 kilometers away from Teulada. In this map you can see its exact location, in addition to the distance to other areas of interest.

The weather in Teulada Moraira

The coast of Alicante has one of the best climates the whole year. Its Mediterranean climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine and good weather a year, making this area of the Marina Alta an idyllic place to spend a holiday throughout the year, especially in summer. Enjoy its unspoiled coasts, its beaches and paradisiac coves, also you are able to perform all kinds of outdoor activities, such as hiking or water sports.

The average annual temperature of Teulada-Moraira and the rest of the towns that are part of the Marina Alta is 18 degrees.

Its temperatures are mild during the rest of the year and warm in summer, ideal to enjoy more than 8 kilometers of coastline the town of Moraira has with beaches and coves. This is one of the main tourist attractions of the zone.

History of Teulada Moraira

Teulada-Moraira is occupied by man since immemorial times. Thanks to the archaeological findings in the Cova de les Cendres we can confirm that the man already inhabited these lands in the Upper Palaeolithic and the Neolithic.

The Iberian culture, very present in this territory, gave way to the Romans, who very possibly gave the name of Teulada and Moraira to these two population centers.

Finally, and after them, came the Muslims, who are owed much of the terraced landscape that characterizes this beautiful town and some of the place names that name the different parts of the municipality.

The thirteenth century is marked by the arrival of James I. Since then, culture and hospitality are part of the traditions of this town.

Later, in 1410, Teulada lived one of the most significant episodes of its history; the arrival of Sant Vicent Ferrer marked part of the culture, beliefs and traditions of the locality. There are many buildings and historical monuments in dedicated to this character in Teulada.

The later centuries (XV, XVI and XVII) are marked by the attacks of the pirates. The buildings that were built during those years to defend and safeguard the territory from these attacks are, today, one of the great legacies the city has.

Some characteristic buildings such as the Moraira castle, the watchtower of the Cap D’Or, the church-fortress of Santa Catalina de Teulada or the Jurats i Justicies Room, are dated from these times, also in Teulada.

After the construction of what we know today as the castle of Moraira, a population nucleus began to be created and organized, whose main economic sustenance was fishing. Thus, the core of Moraira with its fishing tradition began to rise.

Until the twentieth century, the main economic activity of Teulada-Moraira was agriculture and fishing. However, at the coming of the new century the tourist industry in Marina Alta began to be exploited.

Today, Teulada-Moraira is one of the main tourist destinations thanks to its extensive entertainment, paradisiacal beaches and coves, good climate, gastronomy and its unmistakable landscape.

What to do and see in Teulada?

Below we will indicate some of the main monuments or sites that you cannot miss in Teulada.

Ermita de la Font Santa

This building, dated from the 19th century, is one of the main monuments to visit in Teulada.

It is formed by a fountain (the Font Santa), the hermit’s house and the hermit, who lived there in the past.

The buildings, as the fountain, were built in the town in honor of Sant Vicent Ferrer after passing through Teulada.

According to tradition, the saint passed through the town of Teulada to visit his sister Constanza. During one of his walks together through the municipality, Constance became thirsty. For this reason, and to quench the thirst of his sister, Sant Vicent Ferrer made water sprung from the floor at this location.

To pay homage to such a miracle, the Font Santa was built, a fountain where the water never stops sprouting.

The hermitage of the Font Santa is located three kilometers from the municipality and was restored for the last time in 1975.

Church of Santa Catalina

The Parish Church of Santa Catalina Mártir is a historic building dating from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In addition to being a religious building, it was also built and used as a fortress to safeguard and give shelter to the Teuladians in the event of a pirate invasion.

The building consists of two different parts, the primitive or original (sixteenth century) and the other extensions that the church suffered during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, mainly.

The primitive part of the building consists of a single-nave temple that faces east and has four sections, is formed by altars between buttresses and a large semicircular vault.

The first of its extensions, dating from the 17th century, it is shaped as a Latin cross; the altar is oriented towards the west.

Historic City

Getting lost in the network of streets and white houses forming the historic center of the municipality of Teulada is another of the great attractions for its visitors.

Around the church of Santa Catalina, there is a whole network of cobbled streets with great charm.

Among the many historic and interesting buildings that can be found in its historic center, the following stand out:

• Presor House
• Parish Church of Santa Catalina
• Chapel of Sant Vicent Ferrer
• Chapel of Divina Pastora
• The Chamber of Jurats i Justicies, among others.

‘La Villa’, as it is known now, was in its days surrounded by a wall.

One of the most recommended walks to enjoy is through the historic center of Teulada which has its beginning in the Plaza de la Constitución all the way through its streets viewing its typical white houses and their different historical buildings.

Auditorium of Teulada

Not everything is tourism among the population of Teulada and Moraira, there is more. In this case we go to the auditorium that has become a center not only of music in all its variants, but also as an icon of the most modern architecture of the area and the avant-garde culture that these coastal towns bathed by the Mediterranean needed.

The Auditori Teulada Moraira project was inaugurated in 2011 and since then it has been intoxicating all those who have passed in front of an iconic building in the region built by technical architect Francisco Robado Beloqui, internationally recognized and considered by many specialists in the sector as the successor of Rafael Moneo.

It must be remembered that behind it there is a large-scale price of the awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects, the RIBA (by the acronym in English), which have the undisputed status of being the world’s most important in the specialty of auditoriums and to which many great architects designate as the Nobel of Architecture.

In the words of the architect … «It is a bridge of physical union and palpable reference in a village duplicated in two urban groups, Moraira and Teulada, with the facade of the building, oriented to the Mediterranean, which represents a stony beach that, with its depth and from the distance, allows to be read fused with the marvelous sea that bathes these populations«.

Inside the building an architecture of visual spectacle is represented. The light is combined with the sinuous lines in a deep and broken geometry that arises from the study of interior design and its more perfect forms and the solar incidence on its surface and its own generated forms, especially in summer; it has as purpose that the rays of the sun affect directly inside the auditorium.

What to do and see in Moraira?

If you are wondering what to do in Moraira we are sure that you will find in these lines an endless number of activities prepared to satisfy the visitor’s curiosity.

The fishing tradition of Moraira is still very present in the main monuments and places of interest of the town.

It was born as an urban nucleus in the 18th century, although at that time its economic importance was very small and it was only used as a surveillance zone to avoid incursions by pirates along the coast.

Precisely with this function one of the main monuments and identity symbols of Moraira was built today.

Moraira Castle and its Watchtower

If you come to Moraira you have to see the Castle as it is undoubtedly one of the hallmarks of Moraira for its privileged location, on a rocky rise next to the Playa de L’Ampolla and with incredible views of the Ifach Rock of Calpe.

The castle of Moraira with its watchtower of the Cap D’Or was built in the middle of the XVIII century with the purpose of protecting and safeguarding the Teuladine population from the pirates.

Currently, you can contemplate the building in its entirety, since its state of conservation is very good.

The shield of the Bourbons is striking, it can be observed in its access door and dates from 1742.

Fishing Port

The Marina of Moraira is one of the most important in the Valencian Community although, without a doubt, we recommend you visit the fishing port for its tradition and contribution to the economic development of the town.

Moraira fishermen’s brotherhood was founded in 1929, although its facilities have been renewed and improved over the years.

Nowadays, you can still witness the auction of fish and shellfish in public.

Thanks to this, restaurants in the coastal area of the town serve fresh fish and seafood every day, offering another reason to visit the town and taste its cuisine.

Urban Part

Walking through the streets of the town of Moraira is another great attraction for visitors. Its cobblestone streets and facades of its typical houses of the Costa Blanca give a special charm to this town.

Sit down to lay something on one of its terraces or visit the many shops that run through its urban center will provide another view of this coastal town.

Marjal del Senillar

This coastal wetland is next to the Playa de L’Ampolla, one of the most important on the Moraira coast. Formed by a series of lagoons separated by the sand of the beach, this wetland is one of the natural estuaries of the Barranc de les Sorts basin.

It was declared Wildlife Reserve in 2004 and is made up of a multitude of plant and animal species, some of them in danger of extinction such as a fish called ‘fartet’.

Among the plant species can be seen in the Marjal del Senillar highlights the presence of reed, sea thistle, sea fennel, barrón or taray.

In addition, you can see all kinds of animal species such as birds, fish and some amphibians. Some of those animals that live in this natural reserve are the common redfish, the reed warbler, the common frog, the vetch snake, among others.

Beaches and Calas of Moraira

A must-see is also the almost 8 kilometers of coast that the town of Moraira has, formed by seven beaches and virgin coves that offer the best version of the Mediterranean Sea.

Some of them have been awarded the blue flag for the quality of its waters and the services offered to the visitor to enjoy a full day at the beach or practice any of the many activities and water sports that allow these beaches and coves of the Alicante coast. .

The different viewpoints that can be found in different parts of the Moraira coastline, with impressive views of the Mediterranean Sea and the landscapes that surround this privileged area, are also a must.

The Cova de les Rates

Another natural enclave of Moraira that nature lovers can not miss is the Cova de les Rates, a large cavity located in the Cap D’Or and formed due to the erosive action of the water on the rock. Access to the cave is only through the sea and, inside, you can find two large rooms.

Since 2004, like the Marjal del Senillar, the Cueva de les Rates is considered a reserve of wildlife by the Department of Territory and Housing of the Valenciana Generalitat and is also considered archaeological site of the Bronze Age and of the Iberian era.

In its interior we can find different species of bats, such as the gray buzzard bat or the cave bat.

What to do and why visit Teulada Moraira?

There are many activities that can be done in Teulada-Moraira. Each of its two population centers offers a range of leisure and activities.

Teulada-Moraira is the ideal destination for those who come in search of water sports, sightseeing, enjoy a delicious typical gastronomic dish of the area, and spend a day at the beach or hiking trails.

Diving or Snorkeling in Moraira

The beaches and coves of Moraira are a real paradise for lovers of scuba diving and other water sports, such as snorkeling, jet skiing or kayaking to discover other places by the sea.

In Moraira there are numerous centers dedicated to the teaching of these water sports or the rental of kayak or jet ski. Its beaches and coves with crystal clear water.

Therefore, they are still one of the main destinations for lovers of the sea and nature, since you can see a large number of marine species in a unique enclave.

The ideal places to practice these water sports are the Cap Blanc, L’Andragó, El Portet, Cap D’Or and El Laberinto coves.

Other leisure options offered by Moraira are, for example, fishing, boat trips, sailing, paddle or multi-adventure experiences.

Gastronomy

The gastronomic offer of Teulada-Moraira is undoubtedly another of the great claims of this town of Marina Alta, where you can taste the best fish and seafood, rice or wine, such as the Moscatel Romano.

Teulada-Moraira has restaurants of all kinds and for all tastes and budgets. Among its numerous hotel offers, you can find prestigious restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide.

In addition, the coastal area of Moraira is full of restaurants where, in addition to enjoying its beautiful views, you can taste all kinds of seafood and fish in the area, as well as enjoy a host of rice dishes, one of the most typical dishes of the coast of Alicante.

Hiking trails

Those who love nature and outdoor sports are in luck. Teulada-Moraira has many signposted and prepared routes for hiking, both in the inland area and on the coast.

The cliffs route, the widow cliff route, or the route of the Font Santa are just some of the many options offered by the municipality of Teulada-Moraira to enjoy nature and know this beautiful town from other points of view.

Holidays and traditions

The festivals and traditions of Teulada-Moraira are another of the great attractions to visit these population centers of the Marina Alta.

Throughout the year, Teulada-Moraira offers its visitors a multitude of events and parties that help to learn a little more about the traditions of this beautiful town.

In April, Teulada dresses up to celebrate its big party with his Patron Saint Festivities in honor of Sant Vicent Ferrer with a multitude of activities, religious festivals and traditions that last over the years, they meet for almost two weeks, filling the municipality of music, color and joy for all the neighbors and visitors.

Moraira, on the other hand, lives its big days in the month of July with the celebration of its Patron Saint Festivities in honor of Our Lady of the Forsaken and the Virgen del Carmen.

During these festive days, the town relives its fishing past with a multitude of religious and recreational activities for all audiences.

Areal video you cannot miss

In this video you can see the whole area of Teulada Moraira both day and night with spectacular views of the Castle.

You will discover some urbanizations perfectly intermingled with nature itself, something very characteristic of the area, and approaching the end of the video, the different shots of the Playa del Portet where you will see waters so transparent that you will find them incredible.

As you can see there are many things to do in Moraira. We put the enclave, monuments, history, beaches and endless things. You only have to visit us…