If you're planning a trip to the Costa Blanca and wondering what to do in Moraira in May or June, let me stop you right there — you've picked the absolute best time of year. I've lived here for a decade, and late spring is when this little corner of Spain quietly outshines everywhere else on the coast. The sea is warming up (around 21–23°C by late June), the tourist crowds haven't yet hit their August peak, the wildflowers on the hillsides are still holding on, and the restaurants are buzzing but not impossibly full.
Moraira sits between Calpe and Jávea on the northern Costa Blanca, and it has a very particular character — upscale but not flashy, quiet but not dull, international but with a genuine Spanish soul still beating at its centre. Here's exactly how I'd spend a week here right now.
1. Walk the Moraira–Calpe Coastal Path
This is the first thing I tell every visitor about. The Senda Litoral between Moraira and Calpe is one of the most dramatic coastal walks on the entire Costa Blanca. You start at Playa del Portet, follow the rocky clifftop south, pass through the old fishermen's coves of El Amparo and Cala Baladrar, and eventually reach the base of the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe. One way it's about 12 km, and in May the light is extraordinary — golden and sharp, with the sea an almost Caribbean blue below you. Wear proper shoes, bring water, and don't rush it.
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Moraira's 18th-century castle (Castillo de Moraira) was actually built to defend against Berber pirates — not something every seaside town can say. Entry is free and the views over the port and out towards Ibiza on a clear day are genuinely spectacular. Go on a Tuesday morning when the weekly market is on in the town centre. It's a proper local market — fresh produce, olives, cheese, and yes, some tourist tat too, but mostly real stuff.
3. Kayak to Cala del Andragó
You can rent kayaks or paddleboards from the beach at El Portet and paddle around the headland to the tiny hidden cove of Cala del Andragó. In May it's quiet enough that you'll sometimes have it to yourself. The water clarity in this area is exceptional — you can see the seabed at 4–5 metres without snorkelling.
4. Eat Paella at El Portet Beach
I know, I know — everyone says eat paella everywhere. But here's the specific tip: go to Restaurante El Portet on a Sunday lunchtime, sit outside with a view of the boats, and order the arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock). It's €16–18 per person and it's the real deal. Book ahead — even in May, Sunday lunch fills up fast.
5. Explore the Montgó Natural Park
The Montgó massif rises dramatically between Moraira and Denia, and in May its slopes are covered in rosemary, thyme, and wild orchids. The trail from the Denia side to the summit (753m) takes about 3 hours return and gives you views from Valencia to the south to the mountains above Alicante to the north. Start early — by 10am in late May it's already warm.
6. Dive or Snorkel the Marine Reserve
Moraira sits within a protected marine zone, which means the underwater life here is genuinely remarkable. Centro de Buceo Moraira runs guided dives suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike. If you're not a diver, the snorkelling around the rocky headland between El Portet and Playa de la Ampolla is some of the best I've found anywhere on the Costa Blanca — octopus, sea bream, and the occasional moray eel are all regulars.
7. Take the Ferry to Calpe for the Day
In summer months (starting May/June depending on the year), boat services connect Moraira's port with Calpe and sometimes Jávea. Check locally when you arrive — it's a lovely 30-minute trip and arriving in Calpe by sea, with the Peñón looming above you, beats driving every time.
8. Wine Tasting in the Marina Alta
The area around Moraira — the Marina Alta comarca — is home to some seriously underrated Spanish wine. The Moscatel de Alejandría grape produces a deliciously fragrant local white, and Bodegas Xaló in the Jalón Valley (about 20 minutes inland) runs tastings most days of the week. The valley itself, especially in late spring when the vines are leafing out, is beautiful enough to justify the drive.
9. Cycle the Jalón Valley
Speak of the Jalón — it's also one of the best cycling valleys on the Costa Blanca. Not too hilly for casual riders, stunning almond and orange blossom scenery (mostly over by May but the green is gorgeous), and quiet roads. You can rent bikes in Moraira from several places or bring your own. The route from Moraira through Benitachell to Xaló and back is about 35 km and very doable.
10. Watch the Sunset from Cap d'Or
Cap d'Or is the headland just south of Moraira with a small lighthouse. You can drive to the car park and then walk 10 minutes to the tip. In May the sunsets here are genuinely something — the light catches the cliffs of Calpe and the whole coastline turns amber. Take a bottle of local wine. You're welcome.
11. Shop the Moraira Artisan Market
Beyond the Tuesday market, Moraira has a Thursday artisan market (check local listings as dates shift seasonally) with local crafts, jewellery, and food producers. It's smaller and more characterful than the big tourist markets in Calpe or Benidorm.
12. Paddleboard at Playa de l'Ampolla
Less well-known than El Portet or the main town beach, Playa de l'Ampolla is a long, gently curved bay north of the cap. The water stays calm most mornings in May making it ideal for paddleboarding or open-water swimming. The beach bar here does excellent bocadillos.
13. Day Trip to Jávea Old Town
Jávea (Xàbia in Valencian) is 20 minutes up the coast and its old town — set back from the sea on a hill — is lovely for an evening wander. The Gothic church of San Bartolomé, the covered market, and the cluster of tapas bars around Plaza de la Constitución make for a perfect afternoon. Parking is easy on weekday evenings in May.
14. Eat at El Girasol in Moraira
For a special dinner, El Girasol has been one of the Costa Blanca's most celebrated restaurants for decades. It's not cheap, but the tasting menu on a warm May evening on the terrace is the kind of meal you'll still be talking about in five years. Book well in advance.
15. Simply Do Nothing
This is not a joke. Part of what makes Moraira special is that it actively resists the urge to over-entertain you. Sit on a terrace with a cold Estrella Damm and a plate of jamón, watch the boats in the port, and let the evening light do its thing. This is what people come back for, year after year.
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May and June in Moraira don't last forever. But they're long enough, if you're here for them.
