El Mojón and surroundings

El Mojón is a charming coastal village located on the border of the Spanish regions of Murcia and Valencia. It consists of two parts: one part belongs to the municipality of San Pedro del Pinatar in the Murcia region, and the other part belongs to the municipality of Pilar de la Horadada in the province of Alicante, Valencian Community. This unique border area makes it an attractive destination for travelers who want to explore both the Costa Cálida and the Costa Blanca.

🌊 Location

El Mojón is located approximately 55 km south of Alicante and is easily accessible via Alicante and San Javier (Murcia) airports. Originally a fishing village with a rich history, the village offers a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, ideal for a seaside holiday.

🏠 Accommodation and Dining

In El Mojón and the surrounding villages, you'll find a variety of accommodations, ranging from holiday homes and apartments to hotels. There are also several restaurants and bars where you can enjoy local dishes and fresh seafood. The region is known for its hospitality and relaxed atmosphere.

📍 Summary

El Mojón is an ideal destination for travelers seeking tranquility, nature, and culture on the Spanish coast. With its unique location on the border of two regions, the village offers an excellent base for exploring both the Costa Cálida and the Costa Blanca. Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore nature, or experience the local culture, El Mojón has something for everyone.

🍴 Restaurants and food in El Mojón and the surrounding area

In El Mojón itself:
Local fish restaurants: Fresh seafood and traditional Spanish dishes, often right on or near the beach.
Chiringuitos (beach bars): Fresh fish and typical Spanish tapas.
International cuisine: There are several restaurants with Italian, English, and Dutch influences due to the international residents and tourists.

In Pilar de la Horadada:
Cafes and lunchrooms: Cozy places for breakfast and coffee. Paella restaurants: Traditional Valencian dishes.
Gastronomic restaurants: For those who want a more elaborate dinner with a view of the Mediterranean Sea.

In San Pedro del Pinatar:
Fish restaurants and chiringuitos (beach bars): Fresh fish and typical Spanish tapas.
Markets: Local markets with regional products such as olive oil, wine, and vegetables. International restaurants: Due to tourism, you'll also find dishes from Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.

☕ Bars and cafés

Beach bars (chiringuitos) along the coast, ideal for a cocktail or a cold drink at sunset.
Small cafés in the center of Pilar de la Horadada and San Pedro del Pinatar. Terraces with views of the salt pans or the beach.

🛍️ Amenities

Small supermarket and bakery in El Mojón itself. Lidl and Consum are 1.5/2 km away.
Pharmacy
Larger shops and markets in:
Pilar de la Horadada (market every Friday)
San Pedro del Pinatar (market on Wednesdays + Dos Mares shopping center)
Pharmacy, doctor, dentist, and banks are available in the neighboring villages.

In short: the area around El Mojón offers plenty of opportunities for delicious food, drinks, and local products,
without having to travel far.

Activities in El Mojón and surrounding areas

🌿 Beach, nature & outdoor activities

Playa El Mojón
In El Mojón itself, of course, is the beach. It has a promenade, close to the Parque de Salinas y Arenales (Salt and Arenales Park). It's a long, wide, sandy beach with fine golden sand.
Quieter than the beaches of Torrevieja or La Zenia. Blue Flag quality: clean water, lifeguard station in summer.
Ideal for families and walkers.
Las Higuericas (Pilar de la Horadada)
A pleasant family atmosphere with a long promenade, beach bars (such as Chiringuito Las Higuericas), showers, and sunbeds.
Water sports: Kayaking, paddleboarding (SUP), inflatable water park in summer.
Cycling & walking: The promenade extends all the way to El Mojón—ideal for a walk or bike ride along the sea.
Tip: Go at sunset—the beach bar often has live music and a relaxed atmosphere.
Playa de La Mota
Beach on the Mar Menor. There are wind/kite/water sports, quiet areas, and beautiful views.
Playa de la Torre Derribada (San Pedro del Pinatar)
A wide, natural coastline with dunes, quiet but popular with surfers and locals, surfers, and windsurfers (a favorite spot in strong breezes). A long beach walk: You can walk all the way to the lighthouse (Punta de Algas), offering a quieter alternative to the busier beaches.
There are no large restaurants or cafes directly on the beach, so bring your own water or snacks.
Playa de La Barraca Quemada
Another beautiful beach in the natural park, with palm trees nearby.
Villananitos Beach
Beach on the Mar Menor, with facilities and a more relaxing atmosphere.
Mud Baths in Lo Pagán
The mud baths (in the Mar Menor) are popular for their supposed beneficial properties for the skin, etc.
Las Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar (Regional Park)
A beautiful nature reserve with salt lakes, dunes, and trails for walking or cycling. Birdwatching. You can observe the flora and fauna (flamingos, birds, etc.). There is also a visitor center ("Centro de Visitantes Las Salinas") where you can learn more about the ecosystems.
Punta de Algas
A beautiful place for hiking from Lo Pagán along the trails between the salt lakes and along the coast. A lovely coastal walk – you walk through the nature park and see the transition between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean Sea (the "encañizadas") and can swim in clear water.
Ruta Sendero del Coterillo
A beautiful coastal walk from El Mojón to Las Higuericas, approximately 4 km along the sea. Flat and suitable for families or joggers.

🚣‍ Water Sports & Sea:
Inflatable water park at Playa de las Higuericas (Torre de la Horadada)
Great if you have (young) children or fancy something playful on the water. Water Sports
Stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, etc., especially in the Mar Menor because of the sheltered waters.
Kayak Rental
You can rent kayaks at beaches like Las Higuericas (Torre de la Horadada) for an hour, solo or in pairs.
There are also offers through Balisermar.com for kayaking, paddleboarding, etc.
Sailing/Boat Trips
From San Pedro del Pinatar, you can enjoy sea activities through the "Centro de actividades náuticas" (Nautical Activities Center) under tourism.
Kitesurfing / Windsurfing / Canoeing (in Mar Menor)
At Playa de La Mota, for example, you'll find opportunities for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and canoeing.

⚽ Sports & Fitness Facilities:
Organized activities such as Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, etc. are held on the beaches and promenade of El Mojón / San Pedro del Pinatar during the summer (and sometimes during other seasons).
Pinatar Arena Football Center (San Pedro del Pinatar)
Large complex with several football pitches and professional facilities.
Municipal Sports Center (San Pedro del Pinatar)
Here you'll find all kinds of sports facilities: tennis (sand and concrete), paddle tennis courts, basketball (also 3x3), volleyball on the beach/artificial grass, outdoor and indoor pavilions, etc.
Sports Clubs
Several clubs are active: volleyball, taekwondo, judo, yoga, paddle tennis, etc.

🚴‍ Cycling & Routes:
There are coastal paths and quiet roads for road cycling or relaxing rides along the sea.
Specifically, there's a route called the "GUARDAMAR Cycling Route" that runs through El Mojón, approximately 80 km long, which is a longer ride if you're looking for a more strenuous day on the bike.
Cycling Tours
Use the coastal paths and routes through the natural park; enjoy the views, gentle terrain, and stop along the way at beaches or viewpoints. Ruta Vía Verde
There are coastal and nature cycling routes: a via verde (green route) along the coast between Pilar de la Horadada and San Pedro del Pinatar. Ideal for cycling and enjoying the views, birds, and nature.

⛳ Golf courses nearby:
Lo Romero Golf
Pilar de la Horadada (Alicante) 18-hole. Par-72
Beautiful landscape with pines and Mediterranean vegetation; the 18th hole is completely surrounded by water, making it very photogenic.
Serena Golf Course
near Los Alcázares, Murcia, 18-hole, modern course with water features.
Beautiful, quiet course; good facilities; palm trees, views, and close to the coast. For those who want to combine beach and golf.
Las Ramblas Golf Club
Orihuela Costa (not far away), 18-hole course with a challenging layout.
Nice variety of holes and landscape, suitable if you're looking for a more technical round.
Real Club de Golf Campoamor
Orihuela Costa (not far away), 18-hole course.
Well-known club, good reputation, relatively close.
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club
Orihuela Costa (not far away)
Luxury facilities, beautiful surroundings; it might be worth a visit. La Serena Golf
Los Alcázares, Murcia, 18 holes
Good alternative if you don't want to drive too far

Sights, culture and atmosphere

🏛️ Culture, Local Attractions & Atmosphere

El Mojón
El Mojón itself is largely known because it lies on the border between the provinces of Alicante and Murcia, and shares characteristics of both areas.
There are a few local characteristics/points:
El Mojón is sometimes considered a neighborhood/area between Pilar de la Horadada and San Pedro del Pinatar, with beach promenades, quiet beach areas, fishing boats, and the mix of cultures (Alicante/Murcia).
In practical terms, the cultural attractions are a bit more spread out, but you benefit from being close to museums in both San Pedro del Pinatar and Pilar de la Horadada. There are regular administrative discussions and collaborations on facilities and nature, such as the management of the salt pans, flooding/rivers, etc.

Pilar de la Horadada
Museo Arqueológico-Etnológico Municipal "Gratiniano Baches"
In the Casa de Cultura (C/ Los Carretillas, 19). Here you will find archaeological finds, ethnographic items, fossils, etc. A good way to understand how the region developed.
Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Pilar
The main church in Pilar de la Horadada. Although the current church was built in 1981, it often stands on the sites of older places of worship or chapels. Sculptures by local artists can also be seen here.
A watchtower from the 16th century, part of the coastal defense line. A beautiful spot for views and to learn about the history of coastal defense.
Guided and theatrical tours – “Pasea por la historia” (History Walk)
Guided tours/theatrical walks where you learn more about the history of Pilar de la Horadada: the Roman quarries (mil Palmeras), the churches, the Torre Vigía, etc.
Las Villas Romanas in Pilar de la Horadada
Archaeological remains of Roman villas. Great if you're interested in history.

San Pedro del Pinatar
Museo Municipal Palacio Barón de Benifayó
Located in San Pedro del Pinatar. Visit primarily for archaeology (both land and underwater), local history, fishing culture, salt mining, etc.
Colección Museo del Mar (Museo del Mar Menor / Museo del Mar)
This museum focuses on maritime traditions: fishermen's lives, boats, maps, tools, old photographs, etc. Very interesting to see how life around the sea developed.
Quintín and Calcetera Mills
Old mills located in the nature reserve around the salt lakes/parks ("Salinas"). A lovely way to combine a walk along the salt pans and explore the surrounding nature.
Casa del Reloj (House of Clocks)
A monument of local interest (typical of the town's atmosphere and history).
Yacimiento Romano de la Raya
Roman ruins/excavations in the area. Interesting if you'd like to learn more about the region's ancient settlements.
Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol (San Pedro del Pinatar)
Beautiful church, centrally located.
Ermita de la Virgen del Carmen (Lo Pagan)
The Ermita de la Virgen del Carmen is a small white-and-blue chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Carmen, the patron saint of sailors and fishermen.

🎭 Local atmosphere & events

Patronal Festivals / Local festivals in Pilar de la Horadada around Our Lady of the Pilar
(October 1-21), processions, flower offerings, music, and markets.
Festivals in Torre de la Horadada and Mil Palmeras, for example, in August (Virgen de la Asunción), etc.
Events such as exhibitions, markets, and musical performances in the Casa de Cultura (House of Culture) of both cities.
Concerts, theater, workshops, etc.
Nature: the salt lakes ("Salinas"), the dunes, birdwatching, sunsets, beach promenades, etc.
These contribute significantly to the local atmosphere.
Fiesta de Verano (Fiesta of Verano) in El Mojón (San Roque) in August: street parties, processions, and festivities in the El Mojón neighborhood.

🛍️ Weekly markets in the region

San Pedro del Pinatar
Monday: Main Mill Market from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the streets around Calle Libertad and Calle Víctor Pradera,
next to Condesa Villar de Felices Park.
Thursday: Market in Lo Pagán, specifically on Avenida Salzillo.

Pilar de la Horadada
Tuesday: Market in Orihuela, Los Alcázares, and El Mojón (San Pedro del Pinatar)
Friday: Market in Pilar de la Horadada, with stalls along Avenida Reina Sofía and Avenida Camilo José Cela.
Sunday: Toro Market in Pilar de la Horadada, with a mix of stalls, live entertainment, and local cuisine.

El Mojón
There is no dedicated weekly market in El Mojón. For markets, you can visit nearby areas like San Pedro del Pinatar or Pilar de la Horadada.

🕒 General Information
Opening Hours: Most markets are open from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Product Selection: Fresh fruit, vegetables, local produce, clothing, accessories, and household items.
Location: Markets are usually located in the city center or along major streets.