Places of interest
Beaches
Many of the local beaches have been awarded blue flag status which is a European quality distinction, Some are totally un-commercialised and others have bar(s) and the all important toilets. The nearest (a blue flag) beach has beautiful sand, with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire. There are also rocky coves with crystal clear water to explore within a short drive. Snorkling and scuba diving are easy and rewarding here, and most other water sports are catered for nearby. You can drive to and park near most beaches.
35 minutes from Mojacar is Aqua Amarga. The spectacular drive through the mountains following the coastline is worth the trip alone. Aqua Amarga has been mentioned in The Times as having one of the top ten beaches in the world. It is a beautiful beach surrounded by mountains and very quiet, with a few beach side cafes/restaurants.
Cabo de Gata–Nijar and the Desert
Located on the western extreme of the Bay of Almeria the stark, volcanic hills of the Sierra del Cabo de Gata tumble down to the sparkling sea around the Cabo de Gata reserve. With just 100mm of rain a year this area is the driest in Europe but supports over 1000 varieties of animal and plant life that thrive in the arid, salty environment some unique to this area. In 1997 it was catalogued by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve indicating the level of scientific and popular interest which this territory inspires at international levels. Here you will find reefs, volcanoes, dunes, cliffs and a wide range of flora and fauna of extraordinary scientific interest, with 63 km of the best conserved Spanish Mediterranean coast.
Many of the towns and beaches are well worth exploring. For those who like walking the area is still a real wilderness and you are likely to be walking in isolation amid some extraordinary scenery.
Caves
Cuevas de Sorbas - Sorbas stands at the edge of a dramatic
limestone gorge where water erosion over millions of years has resulted
in the stunning Cuevas de Sorbas. Here with helmet and light
you are guided through an amazing cave system. Allow 2 hours
for this. For the fainthearted (like myself) you can wait for
the explorers to return in the visitors centre nearby in Sorbas, which has three rooms
of displays and an artificial cave.
It is also possible to see cave paintings and dwellings at Cuevas
de Almanzora.
Golfing
The apartment is situated by the Marina de la Torre Golf Course. This is a nice course designed by Ramon Espir. The course is on the slopes of the 'Cerro del' mountain featuring lakes and overlooks the sea. Here there is also a golf practice range and putting green. This course is at a ‘young stage’ and at the time of writing considerable finance is being invested into this course.
Valle del Este approximately 20 minutes from Mojacar is a demanding course with good panoramic views showing the contrasts of the spectacular landscape with mountains in the background. It is based on the golf courses in the American deserts of California and Arizona so expect to play in a natural desert landscape.
Desert Springs is approximately 30 minutes from Mojacar A championship course that claims to be the only desert golf course in Europe. Expect dry riverbeds, cactus and water springs to come into play.
Cortijo Grande, a 9 hole course on the other side of Turre, is an ideal course for a lazy afternoon or for those wishing to gain more experience. Lemon and orange trees line the fairway. Playing here and then visiting nearby Cabrera, a unique village in the mountains with a lovely restaurant and spectacular views, makes a very pleasant trip.
Walking
The possibilities are endless, with great routes through Parques Naturel, mountains and coastline. Flora and fauna are abundant, and the small villages provide refreshments when needed!
The Wild West
The semi-desert landscape resembles the American West and in the 60s and 70s many Western movies were filmed here including The Magnificent Seven, A Fistful of Dollars and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Three Wild West sets now remain as tourist attractions and offer a fun day out particularly for children or those of us who can remember being thrilled by the likes of Clint Eastwood, Raquel Welch and Charles Bronson. You are able to walk through the old West village, watch a re-enactment, ride in a wagon or organise horse rides through the Desert of Tabernas with a guide. The best of these, Oasys, also has interesting film and transport museums, a good Cactus Garden and a superb nature reserve.
Water Park – Aqualand Alemria
There is a very good water theme park in Vera, popular with children and adults alike.
Go-Karting
Situated 5 minutes from Mojacar.
Towns, markets and shopping
The area boasts many interesting towns and villages, both along the coast and into the mountains. A variety of shopping and market towns are close, bustling fishing ports, peaceful and picturesque mountainside villages are all worth visiting if only you can make time! The closest are:
Mojacar
The local town of Mojacar is a compact, picturesque hilltop settlement with steep gradients, narrow streets and white Moorish-style houses. At any time of the day there is always a lovely atmosphere here with plenty of restaurants, tapas bars etc. It has many little sourvenir type shops and a good leather shop in the main square. Every Sunday there is a cross between a market and a car boot sale which is fun to visit and good for bargains.
Garrucha
Garrucha is a small commercial and fishing port, within walking distance. It has two good markets – a weekly general goods and food market, and a fascinating fish market on most evenings. Garrucha has a long and lovely marble ballustraded Promenade, where the locals gather and parade and socialise in the evening, and a good variety of shops, bars and restaurants – many, of course, specialising in fish.
Nijar
Nijar is a hillside village well worth a visit, though a little further away. It is a small town , well-known for producing some of Andalucia’s attractive and original pottery and colourful stripped rugs known as jarapas. The main street is lined with shops and workshops selling pottery and rugs, garden furniture, wrought iron etc.
Eating out
The list is endless but the Mojacar Playa beach resort has a wide choice of restaurants along its promenade. There are plenty of Spanish restaurants serving fresh seafood and a variety of local dishes and also European restaurants. Mojacar and Garrucha have a number of restaurants most of which serve Spanish and international dishes, seafood and tapas. Definitely plenty of opportunities to eat ‘al fresco’.