Mojácar Pueblo: Why You Have to Explore Old Town Mojácar

Mojácar is a wonderful little town, and with its 17km of coastline, is a perfect destination for an active holiday in Spain as there are tons of things to do in Mojácar.  Alternatively, you can choose to spend all your time by the beach in Mojácar Playa, or chilling by the pool in your hotel.  However, no matter what you decide to do in Mojácar, you absolutely cannot miss the chance to explore the beautiful old town of Mojácar Pueblo.  Pueblo means ‘town’ in Spanish, and Old Town Mojácar is a maze of narrow streets, white houses and trailing bougainvillaea – it really is gorgeous, just take a look at these photos if you don’t believe me!

This trip to Mojácar with Jet2holidays was arranged by Jet2 and Jet2Holidays, with the help of Mojácar Tourist Office, and although my trip was complimentary, all opinions are, as always, my own.

Where is Mojácar?

Mojácar is on the south coast of Spain, on the Costa de Almeria about an hour’s drive east of Almeria city.  Mojácar is the name of both the town of Mojácar, known as Mojácar Pueblo and the beach area, known as Mojácar Playa.

How to Get to Mojácar

The nearest airport to Mojácar is Almeria, and flights from the UK are only a couple of hours.  Jet2 has regular flights from Stansted and other major airports in the UK, check all Jet2 flights to Almeria here.  From the airport in Almeria it is around an hour’s drive to Mojácar, so you can arrange a transfer or hire a car once you arrive in Almeria.

The History of Mojácar Pueblo

Mojácar Old Town has a fascinating history, and if you’d like to learn more about the town I highly recommend a walking tour with Day Tours Almeria.  Our guide Eugenia is actually from Russia, but came to live in Mojácar and fell in love with the town.  Now she shares her wealth of knowledge with visitors to Mojácar, and she led us around the narrow streets.

Mojácar has been populated since the Bronze Age, around 2000 BC, but it was under Moorish rule in the 800s AD when Mojácar really flourished.  During the 14^th century, there were fierce battles between Christians and Moors as they fought over Andalucia. 

An important date in the history of Mojácar Pueblo is 10^th June 1488, when the Moorish leaders of the region agreed to cede rule to the forces of the Catholic kings.  However, the governor of Mojácar refused to join, as he believed that his town was already Spanish.  Instead, a delegation sent by the Spanish king came to Mojácar and met with the governor.  The governor told the delegation:

“I am as Spanish as you. After my people have lived in Spain for more than seven hundred years, you tell us to go. I have never borne arms against the Christians. I therefore believe it is fair that you treat us like brothers, not like enemies, and that you allow us to continue working our land.”

So, a pact was agreed which allowed a free association between local Moors, Christians and Jews.  This landmark event is commemorated with a plaque at Mojácar’s Moorish fountain, and every year the town celebrates with a huge Moors and Christians Festival, where the whole town dresses in traditional Moorish or Christian clothes, there are parades and music and celebration of the diversity in Mojácar.

Mojácar’s good fortunes began to change around the middle of the 19th century when several severe droughts led to mass emigration to northern Spain, other parts of Europe and to South America.  The town fell into disrepair as people could no longer afford to maintain them properly. Finally, in the 1960s, the arrival of tourists to the region began to bring money and life back to Mojácar.

Mojácar Pueblo Today

Today, Mojácar Pueblo is a beautiful town.  The people of Mojácar clearly take great pride in the appearance and culture of the town.  Every building is painted white, in keeping with the traditional Moorish style of the region, and colourful doors and flower pots create a picturesque setting.  

Don’t miss the old entrance to the town (below), the archway was once the gateway in the walls which protected the town.

Santa Maria Church was also used as a fortress, so from the outside, it is definitely more functional than beautiful.  However, take a peek inside and check out the unusual painting of Christ.  He is painted looking peaceful and serene, holding a rainbow in his hands, just like the symbol of Mojácar, the Indalo. 

In the square outside the church, you’ll find a statue of a Mojaquera (a woman from Mojácar) dressed in traditional Moorish clothes, carrying a water jug on her head.  Rumour has it, if you touch her breasts you will fall in love with Mojácar and will come back to the town.

The Mirador del Castillo has one of the best views in town, where you can see all the way to the sea (which isn’t really that far away!). 

Plaza Nueva is a meeting point for locals and tourists in Mojácar, and the views across Almeria Province are stunning, especially at sunset.

Although Mojácar seems peacefully quiet most of the time, if you happen to visit when there is a festival the town really comes to life.  We were there for the “Noche de las Velas” candlelight festival when the town switches off the electricity and thousands of candles light up the night.  The streets of Mojácar are even prettier by candlelight, although there are hundreds of visitors too!

The Indalo of Mojácar

Everywhere you go in Mojácar, you will notice a symbol of a man with an arc above his head.  It is said to represent a hunter holding a rainbow in his hands and is a sign of protection against evil spirits. 

The symbol appears in cave drawings in Los Letreros cave in Vélez Blanco (about an hour and a half’s drive from Mojácar), and has been used in the area during the Neolithic period, the Egyptian Ankh and during Almeria’s most important cultural movement during the 1950s. 

The name Indalo comes from the Iberian term “Indal” meaning large, strong, powerful and a protective god.  The indalos are now the symbol of Mojácar, so hopefully they will protect the town for years to come!

Things to do Near Mojácar

Ouside of Old Town Mojácar, the coast provides a wealth of things to do in Mojácar – as well as enjoy the beautiful beaches!  If you’re looking for an active holiday in Spain you won’t be disappointed, as you can go kayaking, hiking, explore off-road with ATVs, play a round of gold and more.

Where to Stay in Mojácar

As much as I loved exploring Mojácar Pueblo, I would still recommend staying in Mojácar Playa, down by the beach.  There are some smaller hotels and B&Bs in Mojácar Pueblo, but most of the hotels in Mojácar are along the seafront of Mojácar Playa so you have a much wider choice here.

Jet2holidays had booked the Alegría Palacio Mojácar for us, an adults-only hotel which was absolute bliss!  The outdoor pool was lovely to relax in, and the buffet breakfast had a wide range of choices.  The hotel is at the far end of Mojácar Playa, about 1km away from the centre of the resort and a half hour drive from Mojácar Pueblo, so I would recommend hiring a car if you do stay here. 

Alternatively, there are buses then run from close by the hotel up to the town, and along the seafront, if you prefer to use public transport.  We stayed on a bed & breakfast basis, but you can also choose to stay room-only, full board or all-inclusive instead.

If you don’t have kids and you are planning to take your holidays in Mojácar during the high season, then you really do need an adults-only hotel to get some peace and quiet.  If you are travelling with your family, then the larger resorts with entertainment for the kids may be better for you.  Take a look at all the options in Mojácar and the Costa de Almeria with Jet2holidays here.

What do you think, is Mojácar Pueblo worth exploring?  I’d love to hear what you think, leave a comment below.

Have you got Travel Insurance?

• Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel.  I never leave home without travel insurance, so consider getting insurance for your trip to cover things like adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, stolen items, trip cancellation and more.  
• Get a quote for your trip from True Traveller if you're based in the UK, or World Nomads or SafetyWing which both offer travel insurance for backpackers and long-term travellers.  Alternatively, use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for you.

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