The area around Moraira has been inhabited since prehistory. Objects found at the Cova de la Cendra archaeological site on Cap d'Or revealed human habitation back to the Upper Paleolithic era. Local legend suggests Moraira was named after the Moorish princess Ira, la Mora. In 1386, Teulada was founded five kilometres from the coast and became a municipality in its own right. During the 16th century, Barbary pirates raided the coast and Teulada was fortified with a lookout tower on Cap d'Or by Felipe II.

Moraira's economy transformed dramatically in the 1970s and 1980s due to international tourism. Strict planning regulations have prevented overdevelopment and high-rise buildings, making it a highly desirable destination.

Moraira town · El Portet · Cap d'Or · La Llobella · Arnella · Baladrar · Cansalades · surrounding villa urbanisations.

Denia's historical heritage has been influenced by Iberian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, Napoleonic and Christian civilisations. In the 4th century BC it was a Greek colony. It was an ally of Rome during the Punic Wars, and later absorbed into the Roman Empire under the name Dianium — after their goddess Diana.

With the arrival of the Muslims, Daniya reached incomparable levels of splendour. It became an independent taifa under Alí Ibn Mujàhid in 1010, who annexed the Balearic Islands and turned it into a commercial maritime centre that even minted its own currency. The raisin trade of the 19th century brought significant prosperity — Denia was the international port from which ships exported raisins to ports across Europe and the Americas.

Denia town centre · Las Marinas · Les Rotes · El Montgó · La Pedrera · Beniarbeig · Les Marines · surrounding urbanisations.

Many Iberian, Roman and Arab archaeological sites exist in the town because of its strategic coastal location. The Prime Meridian crosses Calpe. In 1386, the administrative unit of the Castle of Calpe was divided into the towns currently known as Benissa, Teulada, Calpe and Senija.

In 1637, Algerian Barbary pirates launched an incursion targeting Calpe. During this invasion, the corsairs devastated the coastal areas of Valencia, leading to the enslavement of 315 individuals, mostly women and children. The town walls were largely destroyed in 1813 during a French attack — remains can still be seen at the Forat de la Mar in Plaza de la Constitución.

Calpe old town · Urbanova · Pla Roig · Maryvilla · La Canuta · Cucarres · Manzanera · Costa Norte · surrounding urbanisations.

Altea's origins are Moorish — the name derives from the Arabic 'Althaia' meaning health, reflecting the town's reputation for its clean air and agreeable climate. The old town was settled on the hill to provide defence against the Barbary pirate raids that plagued the entire Marina coast in the 15th and 16th centuries. Benissa, together with Altea, Calp and Teulada, formed a lordship whose rulers included the Sicilian admiral Roger of Lauria. The distinctive blue-domed church of Our Lady of Consolation became the symbol of the town and is visible across the bay.

Altea old town · Altea Hills · Altea la Vella · Cap Negret · La Olla · Sierra de Altea · surrounding urbanisations.

The toponym of Benissa comes from the Arabic tribal name Beni-Hisa or Beni-Eyce (sons of Christ). After the Christian reconquest in 1248 by the troops of James II of Aragon, the town was settled by people from the Pyrenees, Catalonia and Aragon. In the 15th and 16th centuries it suffered numerous attacks by African pirates. The medieval town centre has been largely preserved with its town square, narrow streets and churches.

Benissa also has a strong Catholic tradition with a Franciscan seminary that has educated many Franciscan followers throughout Spain, and a large Neo-Gothic church — the "Catedral de la Marina".

Benissa old town · Benissa Costa · La Fustera · Baladrar · Cap Blanc · surrounding rural fincas and urbanisations.

Benitachell — El Poble Nou de Benitatxell in Valencian — is one of the smaller municipalities in Marina Alta. Its name has Arabic origins and the area was settled under Moorish influence before the Christian reconquest in the 13th century. The town itself sits inland; the dramatic coastline below is accessed via steep roads down to Cala del Moraig and the adjacent coves.

The municipality has grown significantly as an international residential area, with large villa urbanisations stretching between Javea to the north and Moraira to the south. Property clearances in Benitachell typically involve older villa stock and occasionally the removal of large satellite dishes from hilltop properties with older installations.

Benitachell town · Cumbre del Sol · Els Molins · surrounding rural properties and villa urbanisations.

The municipality of Teulada-Moraira was founded in 1386, shortly after the Christians reconquered the area from the Moors. For centuries it was owned by noble families such as the Marquis of Ariza and the Duke of Gandía. The Dominican preacher San Vicente Ferrer regularly visited Teulada in the early 15th century and later became its patron saint. Even today, many streets in the village are named after him.

The influence of the European expatriate community grew to the extent that in 1999 a political party of predominantly non-Spanish residents — The Moraira Party — won control of the town hall in local elections.

Teulada town · surrounding rural fincas · properties in the Teulada-Moraira municipality not covered under Moraira.

In 1472 the Moors living in Jalón sent wines to the Valencian Court and this wine for many centuries was the base of the region of Valencia's economy. Jalón's wines belong to the Denominación de Origen of Alicante. After the Christian reconquest in the 13th century, the Iglesia de Santa María — with its now-famous blue dome — was built on the site of a former mosque.

The Jalón Valley is historically inhabited by Iberians, Romans and Moors, and is famous for almond blossom season in January and February, and wine production. Bodegas Xaló was founded as a cooperative in 1962 by a group of winegrowers from the Marina Alta region. Their vision was to unify efforts to produce quality wines highlighting the unique character of local grape varieties.

Jalón (Xaló) town · Alcalalí · Llíber · Parcent · Murla · surrounding valley fincas and rural properties.

Note: Jalón is approximately 15km inland from Calpe and Benissa. Travel time is factored into our pricing for valley properties.