What to see and visit in Mojácar

From this viewpoint in the Plaza Nueva you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Cabrera, Bédar and Almagrera mountain ranges. A perfect place to relax and contemplate the sea, the valley of the pyramids, the neighbouring villages, the old town of Mojácar and the last metres of the river Aguas on its way to the coast.

In the same square where this viewpoint is located we can find the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores. This temple was built on the site of an old mosque and is currently used for commercial purposes.

It is known that the origins of this viewpoint date back to the 16th century.

At the highest point of Mojácar we find this viewpoint where the castle was once located and of which, due to an earthquake in 1518, only the cistern and the structure of the military area remain. This area was a strategic point of the time since, thanks to its height, it helped to warn of the possible attacks that were so constant in the 14th and 15th centuries.

From here you can enjoy impressive views that take in a large part of the municipality and its entire seafront. It is a real pleasure to reach this point after strolling through the streets of Mojácar.

It was built in the 16th century on the site of an old mosque and has little to do with the churches built in that century. Its more castle-like appearance is due to the fact that it was prepared to be used as a refuge in times of attack or invasion, which were very common at that time, thus fulfilling two functions: that of Christian worship and that of defence.

From the outside you can admire its robust appearance with large stone ashlars, while inside, among the original Moorish structure, you can see the images of the patron saints of Mojácar: the Virgen del Rosario and San Agustín.

In front of its doors, the figure of "La Mojaquera" stands out in the square, dressed in regional costume.

This is a point of great cultural interest as it was built over the original Arab gate in the 16th century. At that time it formed part of the wall that protected the town and served as a bridge to the outside world, acting as a frontier.

It was the point through which all the trade carts and anyone who wanted to visit the town had to pass, serving as a checkpoint against bandits and thugs from the nearby Casa del Torreón. In the past, its surroundings were the place chosen for the market, nowadays it represents the entrance to the Plaza de las Flores.

On the highest part, you can see Mojácar's representative coat of arms.

This is a neighbourhood built in the 17th century and located outside the ancient walls of Mojácar, with its back to the sea and facing the mountains. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas of the municipality that has managed to conserve the ancient network of intricate streets of what was once the Jewish quarter.

Its whitewashed walls and narrow streets to favour shade are a living example of the traditional way in which Mediterranean villages are built to mitigate the high summer temperatures and keep cool all year round.

This spring, steeped in history, provides Mojácar with drinking water that comes directly from the Sierra de Cabrera. In the past, it was the only source of drinking water for the population.

Reformed in the 19th century and later rebuilt in the 1980s, the story goes that it was here in 1488 that the Christian embassy met with the Moorish mayor of Mojácar and agreed not to expel the Mojácar Moors.

This historic event, an example of concord and respect, is recorded on a plaque located in the fountain itself and is remembered every year during the Mojácar Moors and Christians festivities.

In addition to the numerous temporary exhibitions of different contemporary artists of various themes that at any time of the year flood the streets of the historic centre of Mojácar, together with the Mirador del Castillo Art Centre and the La Fuente Art Centre, the Museo de la Canana is an institution in the municipality.

The museum is housed in an old traditional house named after one of its occupants, a woman known in the village for selling tobacco and basic necessities. In this old Mojácar house you can breathe the atmosphere of the first half of the 20th century and learn about the history and culture of the village. The house, with more than 200 m2 of exhibition space, is decorated with authentic objects from the beginning of the 20th century.

Located a few kilometres south of Mojácar, the Macenas Castle or Macenas Tower was built in the 18th century by the sea in order to defend the beach from pirate attacks. Due to its peculiar architecture and historical relevance, the tower was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1993.

A few metres from the Macenas Castle, and also visible from it, is the Torre del Pirulico, also known as Atalaya del Peñón or Torre de los Diablos, which, together with the cliffs, forms one of the most picturesque postcards of the municipality.

The Pulpí Geode is one of the most interesting natural monuments in Spain and is located just a few kilometres from the fantastic beaches of Mojácar.

This underground jewel formed over the centuries is the largest in Europe and its immense and impressive crystal formations offer one of the most unusual postcards you can discover in this special corner of the coast of Almeria. It's from another planet!

The Natural Site "Karst en Yesos de Sorbas" is a protected area since 1989 for its unique character and its incredible natural value thanks to the more than 1,000 cavities excavated in gypsum full of stalactites and stalagmites that make up the cavernous enclosure.

All these kilometres-long cavities are excavated in excellent quality gypsum, which creates a fantastic play of light in the reflection of the lights of visitors' helmets. Darkness reigns in them and visiting them is an adventure that must be done in a group and with the right equipment. Do you dare?

The Tabernas Desert is a huge protected natural area with an extension of up to 280 km². The Tabernas Desert is the only desert in Europe due to its climatic conditions and the amount of rainfall. All other similar areas could only be considered semi-desert areas.

In addition to its spectacular scenery, since the 1960s this desert has served as a backdrop for countless film shoots and has even become known as the "European Hollywood" for having brought together Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sophia Loren and a long etcetera.

There are few places left on the entire Mediterranean coast that are still free from human action and even overcrowding. The Cabo de Gata Natural Park perfectly combines the aridity of the Almeria coast with the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean, offering countless corners full of beauty and some of the most famous beaches in Spain, such as the Playa de los Muertos.

Special mention should be made of the charming white villages that dot the Natural Park with their leisurely day-to-day life in which gastronomy and the good atmosphere to the rhythm of flamenco rumba play a fundamental role.