MOJACAR
Area: Costa de Almeria
Country: Spain


Location:
In the SE of mainland Spain, in the region of Almeria. 1º miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea. 60 miles E of Almeria airport.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Website:
http://www.mojacarviva.com

Position:
Mojacar beach resort occupies a long strip of land sloping up from sea and continuing up a steep hillside, site of a mainly residential area. About 1º miles in from the coast, atop a high hill, is Mojacar village; the gentle folds of the Sierra de Cabrera Mountains rise in the background.

Description:
Mojacar beach resort, where most of the hotels and tourist amenities are located, is an attractive, still-expanding, ribbon-like development that extends for over 5 miles along the sea front, though it is only about 1 mile wide in places. Aimed at the leisure-minded tourist, the resort has a relaxed pace as well as pleasing views of the sea, hilly countryside and the mountains beyond. Just inland is much older Mojacar village, a compact, picturesque hilltop settlement of steep gradients, narrow cobbled lanes and dazzlingly white Moorish-style houses. Though the rumoured birthplace of Walt Disney, one of the village's most famous offspring is the Indalo, an ancient good luck symbol in the shape of a human figure. The village, which is popular with British holidaymakers, is also home to a large British ex-pat population who value its tranquil atmosphere and panoramic views.

Suitability:
The beach resort is low-key, middlemarket and family-orientated, with plenty of tourist amenities. It's also popular with geology students attracted by its wealth of mineral deposits. Mojacar village is better suited to quiet-seeking couples, though its steep slopes could pose a challenge for some visitors.

Accommodation:
A good selection of hotels, apartments and aparthotels along the coastline; most are good-quality, middlemarket options and the larger ones offer a wide range of facilities. A number of large-scale developments have sprung up at the fringes of the resort. Also camping, hostels and private apartments. Several hotels in Mojacar village itself, from hostels to 3-stars, and both hotels and aparthotels.

Shopping:
Mojacar beach resort: a wide array, from souvenirs, beachwear/beach gear, handicrafts, quality home ware, furniture, ceramics and shoes to designer shops. Pharmacy. A couple of larger shopping complexes, one with a well-stocked supermarket. Several minimarkets. Various markets in nearby villages: Garrucha (Friday morning), Vera and Aguilas (Saturday morning). Mojacar village: a variety of small handicraft shops selling exotic jewellery, leather goods, ceramics and clothing. The Indalo can be found on nearly everything, from ashtrays, key rings and jewellery to T-shirts. Minimarkets; banks. Market on Wednesday morning; flea market (Sunday).

Beach:
More than 10 miles of coastline with coarse sandy beaches shelving gently towards the sea and varying from wide to fairly narrow, with rocky outcrops in places, becoming rocky to the NE towards Garrucha Village. For the most part, it is less developed than some, with plenty of space to enjoy, though small clusters of sun loungers and shades dot its length. Development tends to be clustered around the wider sections. Palmer Rumina Beach nearby has received the European blue flag. Waves can be strong, but swimming is possible and various water sports (including windsurfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, pedalloes and banana-boat rides) are available.

Entertainments:
Daytime: ancient cave paintings at Cuevas de Almanzora; fishing village of Garrucha; deserted beaches and spectacular views near Carboneras; bowling greens; 9-hole golf course; minigolf; go-karting; fishing; sports centres; gyms; flying microlight aircraft. Sea fishing along the shoreline. Nightlife: a handful of discos along the beach, with more lively ones at a couple of places of accommodation. Many bars, more plentiful along the beach front (including themed bars _ Irish, English and Scottish). Mojacar village itself has bars with a more authentically Spanish flavour.

Eating:
Mojacar beach resort: a good choice along its length, with a large number of British and Continental restaurants. One can still manage to find a good Spanish restaurant or two serving local dishes and tapas. Plentiful fresh seafood on offer; also French, Chinese, Cantonese, Mexican, Irish and Indian. Mojacar village: a number of restaurants, most serving authentic local and Spanish dishes, seafood and tapas. Some international cuisine, including Indian, Chinese and Continental.

Public-transport:
Local bus service along the main road, with regular service to Mojacar village. Bus service to Garrucha, Almeria and Vera. A few taxi firms; car and bicycle rental.

Local-excursions:
Sorbas caves; historic town of Turre; Vera Aquapark; diving centre in Villaricos. See also Roquetas de Mar.