Mojacar
Mojacar is an easy 50 minute drive from Almond Tree Villa using the Autovia towards Almeria. Mojacar has great beaches and a hilltop Peublo that is Moorish in origin. The town has been dominated in turn by Phoenicians, Carthaginains, Romans and Moors. So thats 4,000 years of history. Up in the old town (the peublo as the locals call it), you will find a Moorish village majestically perched on a hilltop. Its busy in summer but we visited in October and found it quiet, easy to park, and full of terraces to enjoy a meal or a drink on. The tiny winding streets still demonstrate the magic of it Arab settlers, ousted some 500 years ago by King Ferndinand and Isabella’s christian armies. You cannot fail to see Indalo Man everywhere, even beyond the tourist overcoat! It is customary for locals to paint the sign or hand symbols on their houses, interpreted from Neolithic paintings found in the caves of Letreros at Velez Blanco. Some say the shape is of a man holding an arc with magical powers of protection against storms and the ’evil eye’. Every year, in late June, a Moors and Christians fiesta takes place in which the locals honour their Arab ancestors.
   
Mojacar’s beaches are clean and surprisingly un-crowded. The Playa is three minutes from the Pueblo (village) and boasts 7 km of good quality sand. At the southern (Caboneras direction) end of the playa at ’tower beach’, you can find privacy with quiet coves, an ideal spot to enjoy the abundant marine life and scuba dive or snorkel in the clear calm water. Heading north, Mojacar beach life begins. The atmosphere and beach bars remind us of Thailand, complete with ’sand in the toes’. The Mar Salada beach bar and restuarant is typical.
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