Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Spain / Costa de Almeria - Almeria / Mojacar
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| | | The Moor the merrier |  | Why go on holiday to Mojacar?
For something completely different. Compared to the slew of homogenous Spanish resort towns, Mojacar offers a refreshing change. This 4,000-year-old village retains a distinctly Moorish flavour with its charming, Moroccan-style, whitewashed buildings dotting the cobbled streets like a snowfall of sugar lumps sprinkled onto a Costa Calida mountain. Beneath the high-altitude old town lies a sympathetically developed modern international tourist resort with hotels limited to four storeys, ensuring the charming historic flavour isn't swamped by rampant commercialism.
How much will it cost?
The nearest airport to Mojacar is Almeria, which is about an hour's drive away. Peak-season flights cost about £120 dropping to £80 off-season. A week self-catering in the beachfront three-star Pueblo Indalo Hotel during high season costs £496. Seven days' full board in the four-star Marina Golf at the tail end of the season costs £580.
When should I go?
Mojacar's well worth a visit all year round from the pleasantly warm, and pleasantly quiet, winters to the roasting hot summers. July and August temperatures hover around the high 80sF with minimal rainfall. Culture consumers should book for the spectacular summer Moors and Christians fiesta complete with extravagant costumes, Arab sabres and mock street battles where locals honour their Arab ancestors.
Who's it for?
With its dual appeal Mojacar's got something for everyone. Families with kids will love the miles of sandy beaches and plentiful water sports. History buffs will wallow in the shaded splendour of the old town and party animals can head for the beach bars and clubs lining the coastal road.
What are the must-sees?
Don't miss the fruit and vegetable market in the old town every Wednesday and make the most of the many tapas bars and top quality restaurants on offer. A few minutes down the coast is the fishing village of Garrucha with its superb seafood gastrodome and Vera with fun-for-all-the-family water parks. An interesting day trip is the 60km excursion to Little Hollywood where you can tour the sets used to make hundreds of spaghetti westerns, including The Good, The Bad And The Ugly and A Fistful Of Dollars, as well as Lawrence Of Arabia.
What will I spend?
Bottle of beer from £1, camera film £2.50, moderate meal with wine for two £12-£15, litre of petrol 45p, short taxi ride £4. Costs will vary.
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