Torre de la Móra

Torre de la Móra is a 16th-century watchtower overlooking the cove of the same name in Tarragona, right at the edge of Altafulla and close to Tamarit Castle. It was raised in 1562 in direct response to Algerian pirate raids that had struck the coast the year before. Today the tower is protected as a Site of National Cultural Interest (Bé Cultural d'Interès Nacional), making it one of the best-preserved fragments of the Catalan coastal defence network from that era.

How do you get to Torre de la Móra?

The tower sits on the shoreline between La Móra beach and the Marquesa Forest, near Arboçar beach. From central Tarragona it is roughly a 10–15 minute drive toward Altafulla along the coastal N-340 road. A local Rodalies train also connects Tarragona to the Altafulla-Tamarit station, from which it is about a 20-minute walk along the seafront. In summer, local buses link Tarragona's beaches with neighbouring towns as well. The Estival Torre de la Mora campsite sits right next to the tower, so simply heading for the campsite gets you to the right spot.

What will you see there?

The structure is modest in size but striking up close: it stands 12 metres tall, with walls 1.5 metres thick and an interior barely over 4 metres in diameter. Its outward-sloping base (a talus) was designed to make undermining the foundations harder, while arrow slits let defenders keep watch over the sea and fire on approaching raiders if needed. The original machicolation survives — a projecting gallery near the top from which defenders could drop stones or boiling liquids on attackers below. The tower was built by master mason Joanot Miró of Tarragona, and the commission and construction cost records have survived to this day, which is unusual for a defensive structure this small.

Around the tower stretch the sandy La Móra beach and the pine woods of the Marquesa Forest, so a visit pairs easily with a swim or a coastal walk. The tower framed against the sea and rocky shoreline is one of the recognisable views along this stretch of the Costa Daurada.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) are ideal, when the beaches are quieter but the weather still invites swimming and walking. July and August bring peak tourist season, with the campsite and surrounding beaches getting busy, especially on weekends. The tower itself can be viewed from outside year-round, and early morning offers the best light for photos along with the calmest promenade.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the tower? Torre de la Móra is a historic structure standing on what is now private campsite grounds, so visits are usually limited to viewing it from the outside. It is worth checking current access on site, as this can vary by season.

How is it different from Tamarit Castle? These are two separate defensive structures from the same era, a few kilometres apart. Tamarit Castle is an extensive fortified residence with walls and a Romanesque chapel, while Torre de la Móra is a single, small watchtower built purely for observation and defence.

Is there accommodation nearby? Yes — the four-star Estival Torre de la Mora campsite operates right next to the tower, with a pool, water park and restaurant, offering tent pitches, caravan spots and bungalows.

Why was the tower built in this exact spot? The La Móra cove was a vulnerable stretch of coastline exposed to Algerian and Ottoman pirate landings during the 16th and 17th centuries. The tower served as a lookout point, warning nearby settlements of approaching danger.