Mojacar Playa, Almería
Your Neighbourhood is a series of local area guides from VIP Almeria. We’re bringing you the best of local villages combined with the latest property data. Mojacar Playa and Village postcode: 04638
Situated in the south east of the Province of Almeria (Andalucía) in southern Spain and on the Mediterranean coast, Mojácar enjoys one of the hottest climates in Europe. The beauty of Mojácar Village, a majestic melting pot of a cluster of white houses, clinging to the very end of the Sierra de Cabrera foothills creates the beginning of the magical sensation that one experiences visiting Mojacar.
Mojacar is one area split into two sections, the Village (Pueblo) and the Beach (Playa). Mojácar’s special microclimate gives us one of the Mediterranean’s best kept secrets. The sunshine, the Mediterranean and the protective horseshoe mountains of natural park that guarantee both winters and summers to be mild and gentle. With over 320 days of sunshine a year and an average yearly temperature of 20 degrees, it opens the door for a great quality of life with sport year-round, including hiking, mountain biking, cycling, horse riding, cycling, golf, tennis and paddle tennis, soccer, surfing, sailing, swimming, etc.
Why Mojacar?
“It is one of Spain’s favourite beach destinations — “Here the sun shines, the beaches are golden and because the standard of living is high, it’s a really comfortable place to settle in.”
“It’s a foodie paradise, and because so much is grown locally, it’s inexpensive to eat well both at home and in restaurants”
Where to Move: You do have your pick of arts rich cities, tidy white-washed villages, laid back beach towns such as Mojácar. A small Spanish village in Southern Spain are full of culture and still affordable to live. It is more than just Beaches and Golf.
Here you will find the “Explorers Spain”. Somewhere to live where you still can find unspoiled areas of natural beauty. Where you can spend the morning walking through sun licked gypsum valleys and the afternoon chilling on the beach with a Rioja and a plate of tapas. Where you can choose what to do each day rather than let the day choose your life. Discover beaches, coves and places that feel like you are the first person to have been there and yet close to the hub of vibrant beaches that prefer beach bars and live music, Mojácar is a choice, your choice.
The Cost: “Really anywhere in Spain so it is a lifestyle choice, a single could live comfortably on €1,200 — or less. A couple can live for around €2,000 a month. Eating out at Restaurants is inexpensive as are childcare, groceries transportation and sport and leisure club membership/activities.
For many visitors, they ask us about a symbol they see everywhere, “the little talisman holding a rainbow or snake above his head” this is the local totem: We name him the Indalo Man.
"Found only 100 years ago in a cave of northern Almeria the Indalo was adopted by the village of Mojacar as its talisman for good fortune like that of the Turkish evil eye. It has become such a popular charm that it is now painted on almost every local building. One usually never leaves Mojacar without purchasing at least one as a gift, as they can only be given for luck".
Mojácar’s special microclimate gives us one of the Mediterranean’s best kept secrets. The sunshine, the Mediterranean and the protective horseshoe mountains of natural park that guarantee both winters and summers to be mild and gentle. With over 320 days of sunshine a year and an average yearly temperature of 20 degrees, it opens the door for a great quality of life with sport year-round, including hiking, mountain biking, cycling, horse riding, cycling, golf, tennis and paddle tennis, soccer, surfing, sailing, swimming, etc.
Mojacar is a raw and natural area, unspoilt in its buildings. Mojacar is a prime location for property, yet it can still offer sensibly priced property particularly when in comparison with similar properties in the more well know Costas of Spain.
Whether the location is village, beach front, or in the surrounding countryside, the choice of property is diverse, apartments, villas, town houses, traditional cortijos, golf resort properties, for holiday homes or permanent residence, new build and re-sale.
On the playa, we have 17 kilometres of coastline making Mojácar an ideal place to enjoy its beaches. Many of them have been awarded the Blue Flag status for quality. Practicing water sports and relaxing in protected coves are possibilities which the municipality offers.
Mojácar is a municipality of Almería province. It has a population of 6,825 people in the two distinct areas: Mojácar Pueblo (town) and Mojácar Playa (beach), roughly 2 km apart.
International buyers make up 23.4% of the property market and the population of Mojácar has grown by 2,000 (41%) since 2000.
Take me there!
Here you are facing the Parque Comercial
What’s the story with house prices?
Compared to neighbouring Villages, it can be steep to buy into this postcode. The average asking price of €450,000 for a Villa, €220,000 for a Townhouse and from €150,000 for an apartment close to the beach. – way above its nearest local rival Vera Playa (Averaging €300.000 for a Villa, €130.000 for a Townhouse and from approx. €80.000 for an apartment)
Local amenities?
Main Supermarkets: Dia - Consum - Mercadona
Where should I get lunch?
Where should I get a light bite to eat? If you’re looking for something small and a coffee, head for Ice Cream BLU Coffee Shop – which claims, credibly, to serve the best coffee in the area. There are also sandwiches, breakfasts and a notorious selection of pancakes and home-made ice creams.
Other cafes or tapas places to mention include: Koi Cafeteria or Maskos near the Parque Commercial centre. Gastro MalaBar has a great reputation as does Marcelo Entre Tapas and Puerto Madero tapas.
Where should i try for lunch or dinner? This depends where in Mojacar Playa you are based so examples in no particular order to try are: Sheas’s of La Paratá, Restaurante Cabo Norte, Dolce Vita Mojacar, La Cava, Pura Vida, Reina Mora, PortoFino, Torre Bahia, Bellavista and Martin Morales. We will highlight more options in each zone on our website area information page.
So what’s the big draw?
Mojácar has no high rises as building regulations are very strict. The attractive promenade stretching along the beach, a large selection of golf courses in the area, family friendly and a very bohemian atmosphere.
But residents are much more likely to talk about the warm and welcoming community; It’s an attractive and safe place to live with plenty going on.
What do people love about it?
It’s a warm community, says resident Dawn Richards.
Mojácar has a vibrant and inclusive community spirit. We have generations of old fishing / farming families and then blow-ins like myself and all are welcomed in with open arms. Everyone coexists with no snobbery or rubbish like that which I found living elsewhere.
The eating and drinking, says Edward van Grootveld: “We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out or going for a jar in the small, locally run restaurants and pubs.”
The location, says Tracey: Stunning walks and hikes, water activities and adventure sports… It’s sort of like living on an Island and there is a tremendous community spirit and great pride in the area.
And... what do people NOT love about it?
There is no big shopping centres with the usual designer outlets – you have to travel to Almeria City to visit this type of shopping area or Lorca. A positive negative: No McDonalds, KFC or fast food outlets!
The roads also get a mention: Traffic at the weekends – which will get a lot worse for residents in the holiday periods so understanding the tourist and residential areas is important depending when you plan to be here.
And what’s my new local?
Depending on your lifestyle choice the most popular bars in each zone for supplying music and entertainment activity.
Zone 1 - Ankara Beach Bar, The Salty Dog, Irish Rover, Rusty Nail, Playa Blanca, Titos
Zone 2 – Valery Cocktail Bar, ALMA BEACH CLUB, Maui Beach, El Cid, Rose and Crown, Sheas of La Parata on a Sunday
Zone 3 – In the Village it has to be Bar La Sarten which is a real locals bar for English speakers, in the beach areas PURA VIDA, La Cava, Dolce Vita, Trufibar and Playa Juana Beach Club.
Zone 4 – San Pedro – Belgian Bar, Mimis, HOLA OLA, Bowen sports bar and Scotty's El Tropico
Alternatives:
For something a bit of a novelty, there are fusion style options to choose from. Don Pancho Mexican is a local favourite. Or try MX Canalla for an evening bite with a drink. Restaurante Zaika Fusion Art, Mountains of the Moon for that extra spice try Cafe Familiar Mojacar which does Indian food and Tapas next to the Mercadona Supermarket.
Schools and supermarkets?
The area has three main supermarkets, Mercadona, Consum and Día which all have a variety of anything you need week by week or daily food shopping. Beyond that, there’s a Lidl in Garrucha.
There is one primary school: Bartolomé Flores in Mojácar Pueblo for infant and primary level aged between 3 and 11.
The secondary school is located close to the Parque commercial centre IES Rey Alabez. Alternative options would include Valdeserra (Vera) which teaches with a bilingual plan.
OK, I’m sold. Give me one piece of local trivia to impress a local
In the village, there was a street that used to be called Calle Pedro Barato - in honour of Cheap Pete, an American who built next door to the restaurant El Palacio back in 1970. He was called Cheap Pete because he was an antique dealer, always with the best price. Anyhow, La Calle de Pedro Barato – was the ONLY recognition ever made by Mojácar towards all of those foreigners who revived this pueblo when it was undergoing repopulation – it has since been renamed by the current regime as the romantic-sounding Calle La Cal. “Whitewash Street”.
