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Moraira
Beach
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Moraira
Marina
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SUPERMARKETS
Benissa now has many very good supermarkets, all appearing only in the last
couple of years.
I think it is hard to beat Mercadona for convenience at the end of this
road, parking and good range of fish, meat etc.
But Consum on the left up the hill towards Calpe and town is excellent and
has it own car park.
Mas y Mas in town (top left off the square) similarly good with own car
park.
Continente Benidorm. Huge. Sells everything from chewing gum to televisions,
but with good local shops now I never go there.
All these sell bread, but there is a panadiera off the main square and a
pharmacia virtually next to it.
Supermarkets are open on Sundays April until late September, but mornings
only.
Out of season - stock up on Saturdays, although SPAR at the Calpe end of
town is open on Sundays throughout the year for essentials.
Check about fiestas. So many in Spain! Supermarkets tend to be closed for
fiestas. However, if it is fiesta time in Benissa probably Moraira is o.k.
BEACHES
We are situated equidistant from Calpe and Moraira.
Calpe Has the best beach for size, sand and sea and hire of pedaloes etc.
There are lots of seaside cafés and restaurants for easy lunches
and snacks.
Take umbrellas or hire a sunshade, as it can be blisteringly hot on the
beach in August.
Moraira Has a beautiful marina. The
main beach is not very special.
Out of season El Portet is lovely. Small and pretty with a couple of beachside
cafés for a beer and a plate of moules, or salad, or chips or whatever.
Especially nice in October or March when you have it to yourself.
Can be packed in August.
Havea Miles of beach and good restaurants. There is also an evening market
throughout the summer months. It starts at 8 p.m., has lots of stalls. Funfair
and rides opposite.
RESTAURANTS
BENISSA
Eusebio
223 Avenida Pais Valencia 96 565 2410
Exit our road on to main road and turn left. Continue uphill and is right
at the top on the left, just opposite the small petrol pump filling station.
Really friendly. Fantastic tapas bar at front with restaurant at the back.
Great Spanish food. Very reasonably priced. One of our favourites. Easy walk
back to the house.
Casa Canto
96 573 0629
Keep going beyond Eusebio and it is set back off the road on the left. Gone
very much upmarket since it used to be where Eusebio now is. Nevertheless,
fairly priced and a fantastic range of Spanish dishes. Views from the windows
are spectacular in daylight.
www.barxell.com/casacanto
Los Faroles
Burger/pizza bar also on the left hand side of the main road, but much nearer,
at the main traffic lights. We used it mostly for takeaway chips when the
children were younger.
Al Zaraq
96 573 1615
In all the guides. Highly rated Lenbanes restaurant towards Calpe outside
Benissa.
Keep going past Casa Canto right out of town and is signposted on the left
(but quite easy to miss). Recently added four guest rooms. Just before Venta
La Chata Hotel which has just reopened and should have its own restaurant
soon.
Cases de Sant Jaume
96 649 9075
This restaurant is in the nearest hotel. Lovely hotel in a beautiful location
and the food is very reasonable and well priced. Fairly close but takes some
finding. It is a turning off the road to Bueno Vista coast. Turn right on
to the main road and at the roundabout take the last exit in the 5 o'clock
position. Keep going along a very bendy road and eventually you will see a
small sign to a hotel on the left and you follow the narrow lane until you
see it signposted on the left.
www.casesdesantjaume.com
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MORAIRA
Pizzeria Azur Avenida Madrid
96 574 5311
We ate at this pizza/pasta restaurant next to Le Sort in the main road loads
of times when the children were younger. It is terrific for the family and
reasonably priced and service is good.
Le Sort Avenida Madrid
96 649 0808
On the main road in the village of Moraira. Very well established restaurant.
Now also has separate hotel nearby. High quality but expensive food. In the
Michelin guide. Used to go there quite a lot but it got a bit expensive, but
still renowned as excellent food.
(The Girasol which was our all time favourite just along the road towards
Calpe from Moraira is still in many of the guides as the best restaurant on
the Costa Blanca and one of the best in Spain, but has now sadly closed).
La Bona Taula
96 649 2384
Opposite where the Girasol used to be. It is on the left on the main road
between Moraira and Calpe. Great location. The lady owner can be a bit dour
at times, but it is a great challenge to get her to smile. Good food. Fairly
expensive.
www.bonataula.com
Da Vinci
96 574 8631
Italian cuisine on the coast road from Moraira to Calpe, 3.5 km from Moraira
town centre. Formal restaurant with very pleasant décor. The food is
Mediterranean and international and another of our favourites.
Antoniet Avenida de la Paz
96 574 4016
Another good restaurant for seafood, paellas and fish.
On the Avenida de la Paz.
Options Avenida de la Paz
96 649 1899
Similar but less posh than Antoniet
There are many other restaurants
in Moraira which started as a fairly small fishing village and now has a very
posh marina and has been developed much more tastefully than many resorts
along the Costa Blanca. Huge choice of restaurants.
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EL PORTET
Is a much smaller village just north of Moraira and is signposted from the
main roundabout. There are nice beach bars, although the beach is very busy
in summer.
Le Dauphin
96 649 0432
Very classy. For special occasions only. Expensive but great food. Also wonderful
position.
www.ledauphin.com
CALPE
Casa del Maco
96 573 2842
Officially addressed in Benissa but much closer to Calpe.
From Benissa keep going along the road to Calpe and just before turning left
to Calpe there is a sign on the right. Easy to miss this sign. Along quite
narrow roads and hidden away. In all the guides. Posh nosh. Our experience
mixed - very slow service, lovely food but tiny portions
www.casadelmaco.com
Puerto Blanco
96 583 0977
In the old port with the same name. Right at the south end of Calpe on the
coast. Charming, especially in summer. Tables outside round a pool. Right
near the old port. Good service. Always busy. Amazing choice of menu - all
good and beautifully presented. Moderately expensive.
www.puerto-blanco-com
Bay Baydel
Right at the other end of Calpe near Calpe Rock. Probably one of the oldest
restaurants in Calpe. Very old favourite of ours and was always our first
trip out when we arrived when the children were younger. Changed a lot since
we first went there twenty-odd years ago, but still recommended in all the
guides.
On the roundabout near Calpe Rock and you cannot miss it. Just along you will
see a row of stalls and many more restaurants all eager for your custom and
offering you free samples and drinks. An entertaining evening guaranteed along
that area.
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Needless to say this is far from a comprehensive range and there are many
websites which can tell you about other restaurants. One that I found useful
was www.spain-calling.com/costas/towns-costa-blanca/moraira/restaurants
VISITORS
Gardeners
Come intermittently for maintenance. Hopefully nothing major should interfere
with your peace and quiet. Automatic sprinklers come on from time to time.
Swimming Pool
Maintenance man, Pedro, comes twice a week in the summer to clean and put
tablet in filter. He comes once a week out of season.
Pedro's mobile 630 952298
Gas Botana 5730572
If the gas runs out switch over to the other 5 bottles and arrange to have
the other 5 replaced. It is quite inexpensive.
Bottle gas supplies via telephone call to Botana.
They will need cash on delivery so get a delivery during the day/time you
will be in.
MARKETS
Moraira
Every Friday morning.
Benissa
Every Saturday morning
Good fruit and vegetables at both.
Moraira is the biggest. Lots of pots and pottery for presents and jewellery,
clothes etc. Barter on prices for your clothes, leather etc.
Parking for market is Moraira is hell in mid-season, so go early or go and
drop people off and get back to the pool!
Javea
Every evening. Stalls from 8 p.m.
Moraira
Every evening. Stalls from 8 p.m.
TRIPS
Guadalest
Look on map. Beautiful views both to and from and at Guadalest itself. Ten
years ago it was a beautiful deserted fortress - now it is very touristy,
but still good if it is a dull day or you are bored with sun and sand.
Vergel - Safari Zoo
See notice board. The children liked it when they were younger. Easy trip
and get to drive past lions!
Aqualandia
Again the children love this. Water shoots and slides etc. Grown ups can loll
by the pools while children can go off safely and do the various scary rides.
Or again, take them and pick up later. Opens at 10.00 a.m. so get there early
and avoid queues.
Tennis
Solpark, Moraira. 5740947
On road to Moraira on left after hill down after leaving Teulada. Need to
book. Good courts and good restaurant.
Go-karting
On road to Moraira on right on road down to Moraira after leaving Teulada.
Check helmets fit quite tightly. I guess it is safe!
Terra Mitica
Benidorm
Have not been but reported to be an excellent theme park.