I had never heard of Mojacar, part of the Spanish region of the Costa Almeria, until a year ago when my partner and I went on a cheap last minute holiday, based on a pretty short and desperate internet search. We fell in love with it immediately as it was so completely different from the Costa del Sol which have visited many times. it's named the Corner of Enchantment for very good reason, having retained it's historical charm and character, mainly due to the heavily enforced building restrictions in force. (Residential buildings are limited to 2 storeys, whilst hotels are limited to 4). It is a calmer area of Spain, though it has to be said it is busier now than in the 60's when it became a bit of a hippy mecca. A lot of the old cowboy films were made nearby in wht is the largest desert in Europe.
Mojacar Peublo set in the mountains is a traditional Spanish village comprising 'sugar cube' whitewashed houses, with narrow winding streets, and restaurants and shops round every corner. In the evening many bars have live music, and the Jazz Life Cafe has to be visited or your visit to Mojacar won't be complete. A modern bar and seating area is situated above street level, with the live music area and round bar below stairs carved into the mountainside.
Mojacar Playa, the beach area is 2 kilometres away, and centres around a 17 kilometre stretch of sandy beach, large stretches of which have been designated areas of natural beauty and where the mountains reach down to meet the sea. There are fantastic beach bars, restaurants and shops in some stretches, and quiet secluded coves in others. One of the charms of Mojacar is that there is something for everyone. If you are looking for a quieter holiday, you could stay nearer the Macenas area close to the Cabo de Gata Nature Reserve, or nearer to the fishing town of Garrucha. For a livelier time and traditional watersports you will be spoilt for choice in the central area of the beach. You can go horseriding, scuba diving, sailing, fishing, play golf or just build sandcastles. If you're a foodie you'll be spoilt for choice, with traditional Spanish tapas bars and restaurants, ranging from how shall we say, economy, to blow the budget big time. Whilst the local bus and taxi services are good, if you want to discover the best of the area you must hire a car (or get someone to drive you around), so you can visit the other villages and towns nearby, and to experience the mountains and views which are breathtaking
The weather is much more reliable than the Costa del Sol with more days of sunshine per year, and on New Years Day we sat outside a restaurant on the beach, and regretted not taking sunscreen with us!
To sum up, this is an unspoilt area of Spain and wherever you are, it doesn't take longer than 10 minutes to be in the mountains, where no-one speaks English, eagles fly overhead, and the smell of wild thyme and rosemary wafts in the summer breeze.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
We propose some unforgettable holidays in "El Capistrano Villages", in Nerja, the privileged balcony of the Costa del Sol. "El Capistrano Villages" is, possibly, the most beautiful and exclusive Urbanisation on the Costa del Sol.
Advantages: Still Spanish, Nice and quiet but there are pubs and clubs if you want them Disadvantages: depending what you are into, there may not much for you to do in the daytime.
fudgee_babee 24.07.2002 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Almerķa (Spain)
Jul 4th, 2007
very helpful by (56%):
helpful by (44%):
