Calpe, Spain is a popular seaside resort, famous not only for its excellent beach holidays, but also for its interesting attractions, among which there are many unique natural objects.
General information
Calpe is a small resort town located in the northern part of the Costa Blanca coast and part of the province of Alicante (autonomous community of Valencia). The population is no more than 30 thousand people, but during the high tourist season it grows two or even three times. By the way, almost 60% of the local residents are immigrants from other countries – primarily wealthy British and German pensioners who came here for permanent residence.
The city of Calpe in Spain has a long and rather interesting history. Once upon a time, there was an ordinary fishing village on its site, spread out on the shores of the Badia de Calp bay. Despite the fact that more than one thousand years have passed since then, one of the most famous resorts in the country has not forgotten its working past. Nowadays, there is a large fish market in this place, to which local fishermen bring a new catch every morning, and next to the seaport, as many years ago, there are numerous fish restaurants and snack bars offering delicious dishes from fresh seafood.
In addition, the resort offers a lot of opportunities for excursions, entertainment and beach holidays. There are many picturesque bays, comfortable hotels, night clubs, discos and other entertainment venues. At the same time, the city itself is quite quiet and calm – you can safely come here with children. In addition, there are several major highways nearby, which can easily reach Benidorm, Alicante airport, Valencia and other settlements. Calpe is also famous for its delicious cuisine and inexpensive alcoholic drinks produced in local wineries.
Attractions and entertainment
The sights of Calpe in Spain delight with their beauty and diversity. There are excellent viewing platforms, unique nature reserves, a colorful Old Town, a promenade for walks and many other objects, acquaintance with which will leave behind a sea of pleasant impressions. What is important, almost all of them are located within walking distance from the main city beaches, which allows you to combine swimming in the Mediterranean Sea with a rich cultural program.
Mount Peñon de Ifach
The Peñón de Ifach, which divides the coast into two separate bays, Arenal Bol and La Fossa, is not only Calpe’s calling card, but also one of the most famous attractions on the Costa Blanca. The height of this grandiose limestone cliff, formed after the landslide of the Sierra de Olta, is at least 330 m, so it is visible from almost anywhere in the city.
Currently, on the slopes of Ifach, which is often called a small Gibraltar, there is a natural park, the area of which is about 50 thousand square meters. About 300 species of plants grow on the territory of this protected area and about 80 species of birds live. Many of them are endangered.
At the bottom of the Parque Natural de Penyal D’Ifach, ending in an ancient tunnel, there is a picturesque walking path with stops and viewing platforms that offer a beautiful panorama of the Mediterranean Sea, the salt lake Les Salines and the surrounding area of Calpe. If you want to test your endurance, take a completely different route, which runs along an unequipped rocky path.
Old town
The old town of Calpe is a small historical quarter located in the very center of the resort. Despite the many events that have befallen this area, it has managed to preserve both the authentic Spanish style and the unique atmosphere inherent in ancient fishing villages.
On the narrow streets lined with small colorful houses, you can find a number of interesting sights, the age of which is several hundred years. We are talking about the remains of the fortress wall, the square of the sailors, the old Catholic church, the Peck tower, the chapel of San Salvador, the Morello mill and other important objects.
In addition, there are several historical museums, the exhibits of which tell about the origin of the city and the daily life of local residents. In order not to get lost and see all the outstanding places, follow the tourist route, marked with special signs.
Prince of Asturias Promenade
The Prince of Asturias promenade can be called, without exaggeration, one of the most beautiful promenades in Spain. Starting at the seaport and skirting Cape Ifach, it stretches along the main city beaches for as much as 1.5 km. The average duration of the walk is at least half an hour, during which you can stroll in the shade of spreading palm trees, enjoy the view of the steep cliffs, breathe in the aromas of the sea and watch the helicopters taking off from the helipad located here. In addition to everything else, the Calpe promenade has many restaurants, shops and entertainment venues that attract a huge number of vacationers.
Viewing platform on Mount Toix
The observation deck, located on the top of Mount Toix and separating Calpe from Altea, is one of the best natural attractions of the city. From here, there is a beautiful view of the Peñón de Ifach cape, the Sierra Gelada mountain range, the Albir lighthouse, Benidorm, as well as the entire Costa Blanca coastline, washed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. And they also say that in clear weather you can even see Ibiza and Formentera from here, although to see them well, you need to stock up on binoculars.
Another advantage of Mirador Monte Toix is the availability of its own parking lot, located right at the foot of the mountain, and the absence of a large number of people. Here you can take a break from the resort bustle, have a picnic and enjoy the sunset.
Location: Partida Maryvilla.
Algar Springs
Another important attraction of Calpe is Fonts de l’Algar, a small natural park located 3 km from the village of Cayosa d’en Sarrià and one of the most beautiful places on the Costa Blanca. During a walk through this reserve, visitors will see cascading waterfalls falling from the ledges of high cliffs, green arches formed by the branches of Mediterranean trees, dark mountains covered with centuries-old moss, and lakes with clear turquoise water, which in ancient times were called sources of health. All this is surrounded by a dense forest, where you can have a picnic.
The temperature of the water in the springs never rises above +17°C, but this does not stop tourists coming here – they happily plunge into the cool streams, which form a bright contrast with the hot air. It should also be noted that the park has all the necessary infrastructure – cafes, bars, shops, a parking lot, a medical center, souvenir shops and even a small museum, the exhibits of which are dedicated to the main natural resources of the country.
Opening hours:
- December – February: from 08:30 to 15:30;
- March, October – November: from 10:00 to 17:30;
- July – August: from 09:00 to 20:00;
- April 1, April 7 – June 30: from 10:00 to 18:00;
- April 2 – 6, September: from 10:00 to 19:00;
- January 1, December 24, 25 and 31: closed.
Entry fee: €7 in high season and €6 in low season.
Location: Partida Segarra s/n, 03510, Callosa d’En Sarria.
Official website: www.fontsdelalgar.com.
Beaches
The resort area of Calpe has about 14 beaches, the total length of which is about 10 km. Most of the coastline is made up of picturesque bays with clear azure water and beautiful underwater landscapes. Among them, Playa Arenal-Bol and Playa de Levante o la Fossa deserve special attention, being among the largest city beaches and awarded the Blue Flag.
Arenal-Ball
Situated in the centre of Calpe. The length of the coastline, covered with soft sand, is at least 1.5 km, the width is from 20 to 40 m. The city embankment runs nearby, in the immediate vicinity is Mount Ifach and the Old Town with many historical sights.
The entry into the sea is smooth, the bottom is soft and sandy, there are no stones, jellyfish, or sea urchins. The shallow water line stretches for 10-15 m, after which the water rises sharply to the chest.
The beach infrastructure includes bars, playgrounds, bio-toilets, changing cabins, foot wash taps, surf rentals, umbrellas and sun loungers (provided for a fee). For those who enjoy active pastimes, there are volleyball, workout and mini-football courts. In high season, lifeguards are on duty, there is a first aid station and even a small library.
Levante La Fossa
Situated north of Mount Ifach, it is the second most popular beach in Calpe. It is almost 1 km long and 20 m wide. The Playa de Levante o la Fossa area has all the necessary infrastructure. In addition to changing cabins, foot showers and toilets, there are several playgrounds, 3 large supermarkets, a pharmacy, a diving school, a watercraft rental point and many high-rise apartment complexes with their own swimming pools and recreation areas.
In addition, La Fossa has beach soccer fields and wooden paths for cyclists and people with limited mobility. The beach is covered with soft white sand, with only small pebbles occasionally found. The entry into the water is smooth, the bottom is shallow, the sea is warm and clear. Lifeguards are on duty during the high season.
There is no natural shade, so most tourists are forced to rent umbrellas and sun loungers. The city promenade is very close to Levante La Fossa, but the historical center is quite far away, so it is quieter and calmer here than on Arenal Beach.
Accommodation
For one of the smallest resorts in Spain, Calpe has a fairly large selection of accommodation in a variety of price categories. There are comfortable hotels, guest houses, and bed and breakfast hotels. Most of them are concentrated in the vicinity of the main city beaches. If the purpose of your trip is to see the local sights, choose the historical district, imbued with real Spanish flavor.
As for prices, renting a double room in a 3-4* hotel will cost from 50 to 120€ per day, while staying in an apartment will cost a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 300€.
Weather and climate: when is the best time to visit?
Calpe is a typical Mediterranean resort with hot dry summers, mild cool winters and a pleasant off-season. The high season is July – August. The water temperature at this time is +25-26°C, and the air warms up to +30-32°C. However, this does not scare the numerous tourists who come to the resort for an excellent beach holiday. In addition, it is in the middle of summer that the famous bull runs and various festivals are held here, so you will definitely not be bored.
At the beginning of autumn the thermometer drops to +25-27°C. The sea is still quite warm (+25°C in September and +23°C in October), but there are not so many vacationers. With the arrival of November the weather noticeably deteriorates – it starts to rain, strong winds blow, however, already at the beginning of winter the situation stabilizes and pleasant +13-15°C are established outside.
Tourists going on holiday to Calpe (Spain) at this time can expect New Year’s fairs and sales, tours of the city’s main attractions, cultural trips to museums and the Three Kings Festival (Spanish Christmas). But most importantly, at the end of January, the almond blossoms in the city, the fallen petals of which resemble real snow.
In March – early April it is still very fresh (+16-18°C). There is at least a month left before the opening of the swimming season, so as a cultural and entertainment program it is worth considering routes around the resort (Alicante, Benidorm, Valencia, etc.).
How to get from Valencia and Alicante?
You can get to Calpe from different parts of Spain, but the most convenient way is from Valencia and Alicante, the distance to which is 120 and 65 km respectively. From both cities there are Alsa buses, the exact schedule of which can be found on the official website of the carrier – https://www.alsa.es/
In Valencia, buses depart from the main bus station (Valencia Estacion De Autobus), located in close proximity to the Old Town. Departures are at 07:30, 09:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 18:00. The journey takes 3-4 hours. The ticket costs 15€.
In Alicante, the main departure point is also the bus station. Departure times are: 07:00, 09:00, 11:00, 14:00 and 17:30. The journey will take from 1.5 to 2 hours. The ticket costs a little more than 8€. The final destination in both cases is Avenida Diputacion.
Useful tips
When heading to Calpe (Spain), listen to the advice of those who have already been there:
- The most popular city restaurant is Resto-Bar Tu Sitio – the food here is very tasty, and the prices are quite affordable. The best Spanish paella is served in El Rincon de Calpe, but for sangria and seafood, you should go to El Boqueron de Plata, located in close proximity to the central beach.
- In Calpe, as in the whole of Spain, you can see 3 types of parking: white (free), blue and green (paid), red (paid only in July and August). Parking is paid from 09:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00. The rest of the time, you can leave your car for free even in paid parking lots. However, in the high season, you need to move around the city either on foot or by public transport – due to the huge number of cars, finding a free parking lot is almost impossible.
- The main entertainment for children is concentrated in the area of the same Levante o la Fossa and Arenal-Bol. In addition to traditional playgrounds, there are small amusement parks that operate only in the summer.
- The resort’s shopping street is called Avenida Gabriel Miro. Here you can find many shops, boutiques, department stores and other retail outlets. As for postcards-magnets-figurines, it is better to buy them in the Old Town, literally dotted with various souvenir shops.
- To get to know the main attractions of Calpe, take a ride on the small tourist train, the route of which starts at the end of La Fossa beach and ends on the promenade near the Solymar Hotel.
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