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I’ve put together my favourite day trips you can take from Moraira – perfect if you want to see more of what the Costa Blanca offers during your holiday!
There are tons of amazing towns you can visit for a day out within a short drive of Moraira.
I’ve included the most nearby towns and cities to visit, and of course some brilliant activities and experiences to try while you’re there.
Calpe
Drive time from Moraira: 15 minutes south
You know the enormous rock that you can see from Moraira beach in the distance? That’s home to Calpe!
What makes Calpe worth visiting from Moraira:
- The natural park of Peñón de Ifach – you can climb to the top of Calpe rock
- The ancient Roman site of Baños de la Reina (Queen’s Baths) right by the sea
- The Calpe salt lake where you might spot flamingos at certain times of year
- Two long, sandy beaches that are perfect for a day by the sea
For lunch, head to the fish restaurants near the port – they serve the catch of the day brought in by the local fishing fleet.
Some fun things to do in Calpe include:
- Catamaran Tour with Optional Swim Stop (buy tickets from €15 here)
- One-Way Boat Transfer to/from Altea from Calpe (buy tickets from €12 here)
Altea
Drive time from Moraira: 30 minutes south
Altea is widely regarded as one of the prettiest towns on the Costa Blanca. Its whitewashed old town climbs up a hill, crowned by the famous blue-domed Altea church that you’ll see on so many postcards!
What I love about Altea:
- The maze-like streets of the old town filled with artists’ studios and craft shops
- The church plaza at the top of the hill with its stunning views across the bay
- The Tuesday market brings the town alive with colour and activity
- The promenade makes for a lovely stroll with plenty of cafés and restaurants
My top tip: Visit in the evening when the old town is beautifully lit up and the temperatures are cooler for walking those steep streets!
Javea
Drive time from Moraira: 20 minutes north
Javea (or Xàbia) is one of my favourite nearby towns with its three distinct parts giving you plenty to see in a day trip. You’ve got the historic old town, the busy port area, and the popular Arenal beach zone – it’s like visiting three towns in one!
What I love about Javea:
- The Montgó massif provides a dramatic backdrop to the town
- The Arenal beach area has a lovely promenade lined with restaurants and bars
- The port area feels authentically Spanish with fishing boats and seafood restaurants
- The old town has beautiful narrow streets and a fantastic market on Thursdays
My top tip when visiting Javea
If you’re looking for a fun beach day combined with a world class kayaking experience – I highly recommend visiting Granadella cove if you have time.
It’s one of the most beautiful small bays in the area with crystal clear waters, perfect for snorkelling. There’s also an amazing kayak tour which will take you through along a stunning route and even visiting a cave.
Book your Kayak trip with Sea Cave snorkel experience here from €45 per person
Denia
Drive time from Moraira: 30 minutes north
Denia feels more like a ‘real’ Spanish town than some of its neighbours, with its working port, imposing castle, and less touristy atmosphere. It makes for a fantastic contrast to Moraira.
Best bits of Denia:
- The Denia castle sits right in the middle of town on a hill – the views from the top are amazing
- The Denia marina where you can watch the boats sail in as you eat from top rated restaurants
- The main shopping street (Marqués de Campo) full of Spanish brands you might not find in more tourist-focused towns
Guadalest
Drive time from Moraira: 50 minutes inland
If you only make one trip inland during your stay, make it to Guadalest. This mountain village is built on a pinnacle of rock with a reservoir of bright turquoise water below – the setting is simply stunning!
What makes Guadalest special:
- The entrance to the castle area through a tunnel carved in the rock
- The incredible views across the valley and reservoir
- The unusual museums, including one with miniature exhibits so small you need magnifying glasses
- The peaceful atmosphere once the tour buses leave in late afternoon
Combine your visit with a stop at the nearby Algar Waterfalls where you can cool off with a swim in the natural pools.
Benidorm
Drive time from Moraira: 30 minutes south
Despite its British reputation, there’s a lot to amazing things to discover here in Benidorm. It has some of the best beaches on the Costa Blanca and a charming old town that many visitors never see.
What might surprise you about Benidorm:
- The old town is full of Spanish character with narrow streets and traditional tapas bars
- The beaches are genuinely beautiful – wide, sandy, and with clear water
- Serra Gelada Natural Park offers amazing coastal walks right from the edge of town
- Benidorm has water parks and its own Benidorm zoos if you fancy a fun and thrilling day out
My top tip: Head to the Benidorm Island viewpoint between the two main beaches – the views are amazing and you’ll get a different perspective of the famous skyline.
Book your Terra Natura zoo experience here from €33 per person
Villajoyosa
Drive time from Moraira: 40 minutes south
Known locally as ‘La Vila’, Villajoyosa is famous for its multi-coloured houses along the seafront. These weren’t painted for tourists – they were traditionally bright colours so fishermen could identify their homes from the sea!
What I love about Villajoyosa:
- The rainbow row of houses along the riverfront and beach makes for stunning photos
- The Valor Chocolate Museum offers free tours (and tastings!)
- The long sandy beach is less crowded than those in nearby towns
- The authentic Spanish atmosphere – this is still very much a working town
I highly recommend trying instructor-led horseback riding through the mountains of Villajoyosa for an unforgettable expeirence during your visit.
You’ll get to know your horse before setting off on your adventure through the beautiful mountain trails, taking in stunning views of the surrounding countryside and even glimpses of the Mediterranean in the distance. It’s a fantastic way to see a different side of Villajoyosa!
Book your Villajoyosa horse back riding from €40 per person
Jalon Valley
Drive time from Moraira: 20 minutes inland
The Jalon Valley (Vall de Pop) is your closest inland escape from Moraira. Famous for its vineyards and wine production, it’s also spectacularly beautiful when the almond trees blossom in late January/early February.
What I love about Jalon Valley:
- Wine tasting at the local bodegas – the sweet moscatel is a speciality of the region
- The Saturday morning market in Jalon town is one of the best in the area
- The small villages like Alcalalí, Lliber and Parcent nearby are worth visiting
- The walking and cycling routes through vineyards with mountain backdrops
My tip: Visit one of the bodegas for a wine tasting session – you can try samples of delicious, local wine and even buy bottles to take home!
I’d recommend this family-run winery tour if you’re visiting Jalon from Moraira. starting with a tour of their vineyards where you’ll learn about local grape varieties and the town’s winemaking history.
Then you’ll see the winemaking facilities and head down to the cellar with its barrels and traditional clay amphorae used for aging. The tour finishes with a tasting of their most distinctive wines and mistelas (sweet wines) paired with local products. It’s a brilliant way to understand the region’s wine tradition and taste some top quality wines that you won’t find elsewhere!
Book your family-run winery tour from €24 per person
Benissa
Drive time from Moraira: 20 minutes inland
Your nearest inland town after Teulada, is Benissa, and while it might not have the fame of some other destinations, its beautiful old town and cathedral-like church make it worth a visit – I’d recommend visiting Benissa on the way to visiting Jalon.
What makes Benissa worth a trip:
- The impressive Church of the Purísima Xiqueta dominates the town centre
- Several great restaurants serving authentic Spanish food
Combine this with a visit to the nearby Jalon Valley for a perfect day exploring the inland areas.
Valencia
Drive time from Moraira: 1 hour 15 minutes north
Spain’s third-largest city makes for an ambitious day trip from Moraira (I’d argue that you should stay there for 2 days!). Valencia is home to futuristic museums, historic buildings, and of course, fantastic food.
Best bits of Valencia:
- The City of Arts and Sciences with its spectacular modern buildings
- The historic centre with the cathedral, central market, and silk exchange
- The Turia Gardens – a park running through the city in what was once the riverbed
- The food! This is the home of paella, after all
For an easier visit, park at one of the metro stations on the outskirts and take the metro into the centre – much less stressful than driving in the city.
Alicante
Drive time from Moraira: 1 hour south
Alicante is much more than just an airport city. With its impressive hilltop castle overlooking the town, beautiful waterfront, and charming old quarter, it makes for a brilliant day out from Moraira.
What makes Alicante special:
- Santa Barbara Castle offering amazing views across the city and sea. There is an amazing castle tour including a local wine tasting experience and cold cut meats
- The famous Explanada, a beautiful marble-tiled promenade along the waterfront with plenty of bars and restaurants to visit
- The old quarter (Barrio de Santa Cruz) with its narrow streets and colourful houses
My favourite time to visit is early evening when locals stroll along the marina and Explanada – join them for a relaxed paseo before dinner.
Tabarca Island
Drive time + boat from Moraira: 1 hour 30 minutes total
Spain’s smallest inhabited island called Tabarca makes for a fantastic summer day trip. You’ll need to drive to Santa Pola (about 1 hour from Moraira) and then take a boat (30 minutes). If you’re going to Alicnte already, I highly recommend combining these visits together!
What makes Tabarca special:
- It’s a marine reserve with incredibly clear waters – perfect for snorkelling
- The walled old town has an interesting history as a former pirate base
- You can walk around the entire island in about an hour
- The restaurants specialise in caldero, a traditional fish and rice stew
You can buy return tickets from Alicante port to Tabarca here:
Sierra de Bernia
Drive time from Moraira: 15 minutes inland
For something completely different, how about a bit of mountain adventure? The Sierra de Bernia is right on your doorstep when staying in Moraira, offering fantastic hikes and the most stunning views of the area.
What I love about Sierra de Bernia:
- The circular walking route that takes you through a natural tunnel in the mountain
- The views across both the coast and inland valleys
- The 16th-century fort built to control Moorish rebellions
- The abundance of wildflowers in spring
This is best for those who enjoy walking and have proper footwear – some parts of the trail are quite rocky.
