Why People Pair Valencia with Moraira

Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city, famed for futuristic architecture and paella; Moraira is a laid-back fishing-town-turned-boutique-resort with crystalline coves. The two share a straight coastal line, so travellers often:

  • Land in VLC, spend a day or two soaking up big-city buzz, then retreat south for beach time.

  • Day-trip north from Moraira to Valencia for art, shopping and nightlife.

Knowing precise distances and timings lets you pick the right transport—and decide whether you’ll need a apartment for rent in Moraira or perhaps splurge on a villa for rent in Moraira with parking.

Actual Distance Explained

  • Straight-line (“as-the-crow-flies”): ≈ 114 km.

  • Road distance (fastest AP-7 route): 120–121 km depending on your starting point in Valencia.

  • Driving time: about 1 h 15 m in free-flow conditions, 1 h 30 m on busy Sundays.

Remember: the AP-7 has been toll-free on the Costa Blanca since January 2020, so that hour-plus road hop costs you only fuel.

paseo de moraira

Option 1: Self-Drive (Fastest & Most Flexible)

Leaving from Valencia City

  1. Skirt the V-30 ring road south-east, then merge onto AP-7 South.

  2. Enjoy a breezy 110 km of motorway flanked by orange groves and the cobalt Mediterranean.

  3. Exit 63 “Benissa/Teulada,” find the N-332, and follow signs for Moraira (9 km, 12 minutes).

Leaving from Valencia Airport (VLC)

Grab the A-3 for 9 km, swing onto V-30, then the AP-7 as above. Airport pick-ups avoid city traffic, shaving 10 minutes off the run.

Parking intel in Moraira: A new underground car park beneath l’Ampolla beach opened in 2024—perfect for day-trippers. Overnight guests in villas usually have private driveways, while flats for rent in the village core often supply resident permits.

Option 2: Direct Coach (Cheapest & Chill)

ALSA operates two daily Valencia → Moraira coaches in summer (one in winter). The bus leaves Valencia’s Estació d’Autobusos, skirts the AP-7 and stops outside Moraira’s tourist office. Typical runtime: 2 h 25 m; tickets from €13–16 if booked online.

Pro tips

  • Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons sell out—book early.

  • Sit on the right-hand side heading south: the sea pops into view after Cullera.

  • Pack headphones; the on-board film still changes only once per route.

Option 3: Bus + Train Combo (Best for Rail-Fans)

There’s no train station in Moraira, but you can mix ALSA buses with Renfe Cercanías trains:

  1. Bus Moraira → Teulada cross-road (15 m).

  2. Bus Teulada → Gandia (40 m).

  3. Renfe C-1 train Gandia → Valencia-Nord (1 h 15 m, €3–5).

Total: roughly 2 h 45 m if connections align, a shade longer than the direct coach but with comfy train seats for the final leg.

Option 4: Scenic Coastal TRAM Loop

Hard-core view hunters can aim for Benidorm’s narrow-gauge TRAM Line 9—think vertiginous viaducts and pine-dotted cliffs—then switch to ALSA. The catch? You back-track south before heading north-east, pushing total travel time past three hours. Worth it only if rail panoramas trump speed.

Rideshares, Taxis & Private Transfers

  • BlaBlaCar: around €10–15 pp; departures cluster on Friday PM and Monday AM.

  • Private transfer: €120–140 for a sedan, door-to-door in 1 h 15 m. Reserve baby seats at booking.

  • Metered taxi: about €160 city centre → Moraira; ask for a pre-agreed fare to dodge surprises.

Making the Most of the Journey

The AP-7 drive is scenic but swift. If you fancy padding the day:

  • Cullera (55 km from Valencia): climb the castle for lagoon views.

  • Gandia (70 km): stroll the ducal palace of the Borgias.

  • Oliva dunes (90 km): quick barefoot walk before hitting Moraira.

Plan a long lunch, then roll into your villa for rent in Moraira just as the sun illuminates Cap d’Or.

Why Stay Overnight?

Moraira After the Day-Trippers Leave

By 20:00 the coach crowds sail back north, leaving tapas bars echoing with Spanish chatter and the smell of grilled sardines. A one-night stand in a holiday rental in Moraira buys you:

  • Dawn swims at El Portet with only gulls for company.

  • A table at your pick of restaurants—no reservation battles.

  • Time to explore the weekly Friday market for olive oil, honey and artisan ceramics.

Choosing Your Ideal Base

  • Flats for rent in Moraira village—walk everywhere, ideal for couples.

  • Sea-view apartments on Calle Castillo—sunsets framed by yachts.

  • Villas for rent on the Benimeit hillside—infinity pools, orange-grove perfume, enough space for the whole clan.

Tip: August fills first; May, June and late September still promise 25 °C seas and trimmed nightly rates.

Practical FAQs 

Is the AP-7 still toll-free?
Yes, at least until February 2026.

Easiest day-trip without a car?
The ALSA coach: no changes, free Wi-Fi, and the driver drops you minutes from the seafront.

Fastest on public transport?
Bus-train combo via Gandia when connections line up shaves 20–30 minutes off the direct bus.

Cheapest overall?
Rideshare (BlaBlaCar) off-peak; fares can dip under €10.

Parking headache in Moraira?
Not if you use the new underground lot at l’Ampolla (first 30 m free) or choose a villa with private parking.