Journal
Free Shuttle to Cala del Moraig: No More Steep Hill This Summer on the Costa Blanca
By Elia Living ·
Cala del Moraig: Free Summer Shuttle Removes the Last Reason Not to Go
Cala del Moraig is one of those places people put on their Costa Blanca North list and then somehow never quite get to. The cove is dramatic — turquoise water ringed by limestone cliffs, a sea cave that divers thread through, and the kind of light in the late morning that makes every photograph look like it was professionally lit. The stumbling block has always been the same: a steep, exposed descent from the roadside car park down to the beach that is genuinely punishing on a hot August day, especially with children, beach chairs and a cool box in tow.
The municipality of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell has been quietly solving this problem for a few summers now, and the 2026 edition of the solution is the most accessible yet: a completely free shuttle bus service running from the town centre all the way to the waterfront, with a separate continuous link between the upper car park and the beach itself.
What the Service Covers
The shuttle operates from 28 June to 1 September — the full peak summer window. It is run by the Ajuntament de El Poble Nou de Benitatxell and costs nothing to use.
There are two distinct elements:
Town-to-beach service. A bus departs the town centre each morning at 10:00, picking up at four stops: the cemetery area, the parking opposite Masymas supermarket, the Lady Elizabeth School car park, and the Rotonda at the junction of Calle Adelfas and Calle Thomas Wilson, before arriving at the cala. The return leg leaves the beach at 14:00. The afternoon service departs town again at 16:00, with a final return from Cala del Moraig at 18:30. The driver rests between 14:00 and 16:00, so the midday gap is worth noting.
Continuous slope shuttle. This is the part that makes the real difference for most visitors: a dedicated link running approximately every 15–20 minutes between the upper car park and the beachfront. It handles the steep descent — and, crucially, the climb back up — so you never have to choose between leaving early or arriving exhausted.
Cumbre del Sol connection. Residents of the Cumbre del Sol urbanisation (a large hilltop development straddling the Benitachell–Teulada border) get a dedicated midday run at 12:00, departing from the beach and serving the school and rotonda stops before looping back to the cala.
For information or queries, the council can be reached on 966 49 33 69.
Why Benitatxell Is Doing This
The scheme is explicitly designed to reduce car traffic on the narrow coastal road and in the limited car park above the cove, which fills early on summer weekends and bank holidays. By giving visitors a reliable, free alternative, the municipality nudges drivers out of their cars — making the beach less congested and the approach roads safer. The secondary aim is to pull footfall through the town centre, which has a compact commercial strip and several good restaurants that visitors driving direct to the cala typically bypass entirely.
The result is a virtuous loop: easier beach access, quieter roads, and a little more economic life in Benitatxell village.
Getting There from Jávea, Moraira and the Surrounding Towns
Cala del Moraig sits at the southern tip of Benitatxell, roughly equidistant between Jávea to the north and Moraira to the south — about 8 km from each town centre. The shuttle pick-up points in Benitatxell village are straightforward to reach by car or taxi. Once parked in town, the bus handles everything else.
For property owners based in Jávea's Arenal or El Puerto districts, a 15-minute drive to one of the Benitatxell stops and then the shuttle is genuinely more relaxing than fighting for one of the cove's car park spaces. The same logic applies from Moraira and Cumbre del Sol, where the dedicated midday link makes a spontaneous late-morning cala visit straightforwardly easy.
What Makes Cala del Moraig Worth the Trip
The cove is sheltered, the water is exceptionally clear, and the famous sea arch — Cova Tallada — sits at the water's edge and is accessible to snorkellers and freedivers at low tide. The cliffs drop almost vertically on the eastern side, which means the cala is shaded by mid-afternoon, a significant comfort in July and August when direct sun elsewhere on the coast is unforgiving.
There is a small chiringuito at the beach, and the town of Benitatxell itself has a handful of restaurants worth exploring while you wait for the afternoon shuttle.
A Quiet Corner of the Costa Blanca North Getting Smarter
The shuttle is a small but telling example of how local municipalities on this stretch of coast are actively managing the summer visitor experience — investing in infrastructure that makes life easier for residents and second-home owners, not just day-trippers. For foreign buyers evaluating which towns and villages offer a genuinely liveable summer, these quality-of-life details matter more than they might initially appear.
If you have not visited Cala del Moraig yet, this summer's free shuttle has removed your last excuse.
Frequently asked questions
Is the shuttle to Cala del Moraig really free? Yes. The service is operated and funded by the Ajuntament de El Poble Nou de Benitatxell and costs nothing to use.
When does the 2026 shuttle service run? From 28 June to 1 September. Town-to-beach departures are at 10:00 and 16:00, with returns at 14:00 and 18:30. The continuous car-park-to-beach link runs every 15–20 minutes throughout the day.
Where do I board the town-centre bus? The main stops are: the cemetery area, the Masymas supermarket car park, the Lady Elizabeth School car park, and the Rotonda at Calle Adelfas / Calle Thomas Wilson.
Is there a service from Cumbre del Sol? Yes — a dedicated route departs from the beach at 12:00 and serves the school and rotonda stops before returning to the cala.
How far is Cala del Moraig from Jávea and Moraira? About 8 km from either town centre — roughly a 10–15 minute drive to the Benitatxell pick-up points.
Can I swim in the sea cave at Cala del Moraig? Cova Tallada is accessible to snorkellers and freedivers at low tide. Check sea conditions on the day; the cala is sheltered but the cave entrance requires calm water.