Are you ready for a sunny holiday in a bustling Spanish seaside town? Calpe might just be the perfect destination! This old fishing village is known for its beautiful beaches, golf courses, fish and, of course, the Peñón de Ifach – a 332-metre-high rock formation that juts out into the sea and can be seen from miles away. Calpe offers something for everyone. Walk through the historic town centre, enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches, visit the saltwater lake of Las Salinas, stroll along palm-lined promenades and try the delicious local dishes. We can’t wait to tell you all about this fantastic holiday destination!

Overview of Calpe

Calpe (or Calp) is a municipality in the Spanish province of Alicante in the Community of Valencia. It is located about 12 miles north of Benidorm, one of the most famous seaside resorts in Europe. It covers an area of about 15 square miles and has a population of almost 20,000 people. Calpe is located on the beautiful Costa Blanca (Spanish for ‘white coast’), which is known for its white sandy beaches and rugged coves. Calpe is a popular destination, but it is not as crowded as places like Benidorm or Alicante. The Spanish call the city Calpe, but it is called Calp in Valencian.

Calpe is famous for the Peñón de Ifach, a towering rock formation that rises from the Mediterranean Sea. It is the symbol of the Costa Blanca and one of Spain’s national nature reserves. Here, you can follow hiking trails from the port of Calpe to climb up and be rewarded with stunning views from the top. But there’s much more to see and do in this friendly seaside town. Are you ready to discover more about Calpe?

The beautiful sandy beaches of Calpe

The Spanish town of Calpe is the perfect place to enjoy sun, sea and sand! There are two beautiful, wide sandy beaches either side of the Peñón de Ifach rock formation, Playa Arenal (to the south) and Playa La Fossa (to the north). These are both wonderful, clean beaches with shallow water and perfect for the whole family. A charming, well-kept beach promenade runs along the entire beachfront and boasts a number of bars, restaurants and shops. The beaches of Calpe also have a Blue Flag certification, a recognition of the cleanliness of the beach and the quality of the water.

The Costa Blanca has a Mediterranean climate and has the most stable weather of all the Spanish Costas. There is very little rainfall throughout the year and the sun shines almost every month. In fact, the region very rarely sees any extreme temperatures. There’s hardly ever any sign of frost or extreme heat, with temperatures generally staying below 40° C. In other words, Calpe is the perfect sunny holiday destination!

The Old Town of Calpe

Calpe has much more to offer than just beautiful beaches. Located on a hill is the old town, which is definitely worth a visit. Here, the narrow, cobbled streets and steps lead you around beautiful churches, painted houses, museums, typical Spanish bodegas and international cafés. A particular highlight is the Carrer de Puchal, a street of traditional fishermen’s houses. In the past, Calpe used to be surrounded by walls, and a watchtower can still be found in the old town. Here, you will also find old cannons retrieved from the sea and the remains of an ancient Roman salt factory.

The historic centre is not big – it consists of about 20 streets and a few squares – but it is definitely visiting. Here, you will feel a truly authentic atmosphere as you walk by many picturesque and colourful houses. If you’re a fan of markets, take a stroll through the arts and crafts market where you’ll find just about everything from books and second-hand items to food and plants. Follow the signs marked “Ruta Turistica” so as not to miss anything!

Top 7 things to do in Calpe

To make sure you really get the most out of your holiday, we’ve made a list of our top 7 most interesting sights in Calpe, Spain:

1. The Peñón de Ifach

As we’ve said before, a visit to Calpe would not be complete without having seen the Peñón de Ifach. Many holidaymakers travel here specifically to see this volcanic rock formation! It’s also part of a nature reserve full of flora and fauna. The hike to the top takes about 2.5 hours and the view is breath-taking.

2. Las Salinas salt lake and nature reserve

Do you feel like taking a relaxing walk through a nature reserve? Then the Las Salinas should definitely be on your itinerary. Salt has been collected in the lagoon here for centuries, and until relatively recently, it was a very important source of income for the town. But this area is more than just a salt mine. In this beautiful nature reserve, you can spot a range of different species of birds, sea creatures and animals which have made Las Salinas their home. Colonies of flamingos can also be spotted here regularly.

3. Torre Molí del Morelló

Take a trip back in time at the old granary, Torre Molí del Morello. The construction of the mill dates back to the middle of the 19th century, and it was used for grinding grain. The Costa Blanca was once home to many mills, but Torre Molí del Morelló is the only one of its kind that has survived!

4. Torreó de la Peça

Another must-see tower when visiting Calpe is the Torreó de la Peça. During the 15th century, the tower provided protection from attacks by North African pirates. Today, you can visit the remains, which are in very good condition, the tower and walls having been completely restored in 1981.

5. The impressive Fuents de Algar waterfalls

The waterfalls of Algar are a very popular Costa Blanca attraction! Fuents de Algar belong to a protected national park and the waterfalls form part of a spectacular route along the river.

6. Small, secluded bays

Enjoy a great view and calm atmosphere in one of the bays near Calpe: Cala de Racó, Cala Gasparet, Cala del Morrelló, Cala Calalga, Cala Manzanera, Cala Les Bassetes and Cala Del Mallorquí.

7. The old town

A visit to the old town of Calpe is a must for any holidaymaker! Visit Nuestra Señora de las Nieves church, the Torreó de la Peça or the Museum of History and Archaeology. Here, you will also find various inspiring murals and mosaics by Gastón Castelló, an artist from Alicante.

What to do in Calpe, Spain? 1,001 activities

Prefer to stay active? As in any Spanish resort town, there is plenty to do in Calpe. As a former fishing village, it still has an active fishing port, and from here, there are a variety of boat trips on offer. You should also definitely visit one of the fish markets, where you’ll get an insight into local fishing – a really special experience! Looking to taste some of the local seafood? Check out one of the restaurants at the marina.

There are also all kinds of water sports on offer. The small pebble beach of Les Bassetes and Raconada del Port are especially popular with divers and snorkellers. At Cala Les Bassetes, you will also find two water sports centres where you can go kayaking, sailing, diving, snorkelling, windsurfing or paddleboarding.

Peñón de Ifach is also a beautiful place to go diving. Around the bottom of the formation, you will find large octopuses, sea anemones and numerous species of fish. You can also enjoy swimming and snorkelling among the ruins of a Roman fish salt factory at the rocky beach of Baños de la Reina (the Queen’s bath).

With its fantastic, rolling landscape, Calpe is also an excellent cycling destination. The Vuelta de España, the largest multi-day cycling race in Spain, often runs through this area. So for an unforgettable cycling adventure, head to Calpe!

Are you fond of golf? If you’re a golf enthusiast, a visit to Calpe will be a true paradise! The golf courses are an excellent place to get acquainted with the locals, as golf is very popular among both locals and tourists.

Want to know more about the activities Calpe has to offer? Continue reading here: The best tourist activities in Calpe!

Great accommodation options in Calpe in Spain

There are some beautiful waterfront villas in Calpe, Spain, available for rent at a great price. The Spanish say there are 9 months of spring and 3 months of summer in Calpe – so what are you waiting for?! In any case, it’s not all about the temperature – our spacious holiday homes and villas boast beautiful living rooms, fully-equipped kitchens, luxury bathrooms, comfortable bedrooms, charming outdoor areas and even private pools. Furthermore, you and your travel group will have the holiday home all to yourselves for ultimate privacy. Discover the most beautiful villas and holiday homes in Calpe that Club Villamar has selected especially for you! 

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Want to know more about a holiday in Spain in general? Read also: Holidays in Spain – everything you need to know about the sunny destination of Spain!