Copyright euroweeklynews
SUNNY, warm beaches during the summer, and mild winters perfect for hiking and inland activities: Mojacar, an Almeria hub of tourism, real estate, gastronomy, and business, is becoming more of a year-round destination with each passing year. Residents of the charming town often commend it for its active and busy, but not overwhelming, summer season, and its charming autumn and winter traditions and activities, cementing it as a beautiful town that refuses to slow down. Expats weigh in: a debate about logistics, tourism, and business Locals and expats living in Mojacar recently commented on whether Mojacar makes for an ideal year-round tourist destination, with many different opinions chiming in from various parts of the town and even nearby towns. Many said that Mojacar is wonderful in the winter, still active but not as hectic in the summertime, and that they love to visit – or even sometimes exclusively visit – during the colder months. “Perfect winter weather,” said one Mojacar resident. “I do not think enough people realise how wonderful the winters are here. They go to Tenerife or further afield to have the same climate we have here.” Others pointed out that year-round visitors would give local businesses a boost, as well as help out those who find themselves job hunting in the off-season. Locals chant ‘tourists go home’? However, other residents rejected the idea of Mojacar being as bustling in the wintertime as it is in the summertime, citing that a breath of relief from the tourists in the off-season is always welcome. Some even questioned the logistics of having year-round visitors in town, pointing out the lack of parking spaces, heated pools in hotels, tourist accommodations, and restaurant terrace space. One resident pointed out that if Mojacar was as busy in the winter as it is in the summer, housing prices would also rise. “I enjoy the quiet,” said one local. “I dislike the busy summers with restaurants full and no parking. I know businesses need it but the winter is better.” Mojacar, not busier for lack of flights? Other users living outside of Mojacar, particularly in the UK, list a lack of flights as a main deterrent for not visiting more in the winter months, although many pointed out EasyJet’s newest addition of flights directly from Almeria City to Liverpool, which has seen a great deal of holidaymakers already. Residents listed a need for flights in particular from Birmingham and Gatwick as examples. A healthy balance is key Some residents expressed the desire for a healthy balance of both: more life in the off-season, but more controlled than in the summer months, which many locals find overwhelmingly crowded. All in all, whether for the change or against, one thing is undeniable: Mojacar’s charm as an off-season destination cannot be ignored, and tourists looking for an idyllic winter escape are taking notice. Read more news from Almeria here.
