Villa for sale in Moraira, Costa Blanca, Spain

Moraira was a village populated by 52 old Christian families and dedicated to growing Muscatel grapes and raisins. The villagers built a beautiful late-Gothic church in honour of the patron saint, St Catalina.Prehistoric man, the Iberians and especially the Moors (Benimeit, Benimarco and Alcasar are rural sections of Teulada) all left remains in this coastal area. Teulada became a walled village that was located slightly away from the coast for fear of Berber pirate attacks. As the village was near the coast, it was also a fishing village. Today both agriculture and fishing have given way to the tourism industry. The parish church, the hermitage of the Divina Pastora, the defensive tower, which rises over the Playa de la Ampolla and known as the Moraira Castle, are all architectural features of note. After the green fields covered in vines and riu-raus (traditional drying houses) we arrive at the Port of Moraira, a large tourist centre. Here there is a 8-km coastline with fine sandy beaches and transparent water, including L´Ampolla, Platgetes and Del Portet beaches. There are also small coves such as L´Andrago, Punta Estrella, Cap Blanc and La Cala. The most famous beach is that of La Ampolla, located next to the castle. The San Vicente Ferrer Cooperative produces excellent award-winning wines with its Teulada grapes - i.e. the Marina Alta White and Muscatel. The Marina Alta White is made with Muscat grapes, which gives it an aromatic and fruity taste and, even though it is a white wine, it is very sweet. The Muscatel is made with Muscatel Romanao grapes, which are considered one of the best varieties of grapes in the world, and the taste of the wine is reminiscent of the grape. Both wines can be purchased in the wine cellars.

Gastronomy: Arroz a banda (rice in fish broth), Paella valenciana, Paella with sardines, Cruet de Peix, Puchero de Polp, Puchero amb Pilotes, Arrós amb fessols y naps (rice with beans and turnips) and Muscatel from the local winery.

Art: High quality wines such as white wine from the Marina Alta and muscatel from Alone.

Monuments: Church of St Catherine and hermitage of the Divina Pastora. Hermitage of San Vicente and the Font Santa and Cap D´or watchtower. Cross of Ave María where, it is said, St Vicente Ferrer blessed Teulada to protect it against the plague.

Festivals and Events: Patron saint feast day celebrations in honour of St Vincent Ferrer are held in April; Moors and Christians pageants are held in the second week of June. On the 25th of November fiestas are held in honour of St Catalina, the patron saint.

Situation: Teulada is located 1 km from the N-332 between Benissa and Gata de Gorgos. Its port of Moraira is situated 6 km from the town centre. There is a stop here on the Alicante-Dénia railway. Located 75 km from Alicante and 31 km from Benidorm.

Tour of the town: Excursions can be made to the Cap d´Or and the Cova de la Sendra - a major archaeological site is located nearby. In the trails through the area´s rural district you can visit the caso de Benimeit, with riu-raus (traditional drying houses) or Castellons.

Sports: Yacht Club (96.574.43.19), scuba diving (96.574.42.57 - 96.649.20.06), tennis school (96.574.06.12), go-karts (96.574.14.69), horse riding (96.574.72.45) and squash (96.649.03.51). Walking and bicycle tours around the locality.