Mojacar on the Costa de Almeria is made up of two very different parts; the traditional hilltop village of Mojacar Pueblo and, in complete contrast, the modern coastal strip of Mojacar Playa. The former is a very attractive village, with its steep, narrow streets of cube-shaped, whitewashed houses. A profusion of flowers completes this picture postcard scene. Mojacar Pueblo is best enjoyed in the evening once the many day trippers have departed.



The town has had a long and varied history. There are remnants of Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman occupations, but it wasn't until the Moors arrived that the town began to flourish. After the Christian re-conquest of 1488 Mojacar continued to thrive, although the situation was reversed in the mid-nineteenth century when the area was racked by droughts and the population declined. It wasn't until the 1960's that Mojacar began to recover after it became home to a colony of artists and writers. Tourists soon followed and the resort of Mojacar Playa was developed into the resort that we see today.

In the heart of Mojacar Pueblo is the square of Plaza Nueva, from which there are stunning views of the coast and the mountains of the Sierra Cabrera. La Fuente Mora (Moorish Fountain) has been a source of natural spring water for centuries. It was near here that the Christian Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, met with local Moorish leaders in 1488 to demand their surrender. Evidence of the Moors can be seen throughout Mojacar Pueblo: the city gate (Puerta de la Almedina) has a coat of arms dating from the 15th century, while the 14th century church of Santa Maria was converted from a Moorish fortress.

About a mile from Mojacar Pueblo is the coastal resort of Mojacar Playa which contains all the ingredients needed for an enjoyable beach holiday. There are a variety of restaurants offering a range of cuisine including French, Chinese, Mexican, Indian and Spanish. If you want to dance the night away there is no shortage of discos and music bars open late during the summer months. Mojacar has a large British and Irish expat community and it is no surprise to see many British bars along this 3-mile stretch of coastline. Mojacar Playa also has a commercial centre with shops, restaurants, banks, supermarket and medical centre. The tourist information centre is situated opposite the shops.

Mojacar's busiest beaches are Playa del Cantel and Playa de la Cueva del Lobo. There are plenty of activities available here including scuba diving, windsurfing, fishing and sailing. Only part of Mojacar's coastline is developed, so it's not difficult to find quieter beaches just outside the resort, especially in the direction of the Cabo de Gata national park to the south.

The fall of Moorish Mojacar to the Christians is celebrated every June with the 3-day 'Moors and Christians' festival. This colourful spectacle has fireworks, music, and re-enactments of the battles with the participants dressed in historical costumes.

There are occasional buses from Mojacar to the city of Almeria around 45 miles to the west. There is also an hourly service between Mojacar Playa and Mojacar Pueblo.