We are going to tell you what you can see in Calpe, because although it may not seem like it, it has many things to offer, walks along endless sandy beaches, dreamlike sunsets, let yourself be bewitched by its old town…
Calpe has a million possibilities for you to lose yourself in it and fall in love with each of its corners, making you come back again and again to this beautiful and interesting destination on the Costa Blanca.
What can you see and do in Calpe?
In Calpe you will find endless opportunities to enjoy the Mediterranean, which, as it passes through Calpe, leaves a very good taste in the mouth of those who dare to explore its waters. Activities such as scuba diving and snorkelling are practised all year round in this town by lovers of these practices thanks to its spectacular marine beauty, which has meadows of posidonia oceanica and countless species of fish and other marine life.
You can also go kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing or catamaran sailing, depending on the needs and expectations of each of the visitors, Calpe will adapt to your requests.
But it is not only the sea that will provide you with entertainment and fun in Calpe, because among the things to do in Calpe there are also walks along ecological trails, visits to Roman ruins, such as the Baños de la Reina, the daily fish market where you can see how fresh fish fresh from the bay is sold, and finishing with a meal in any of the restaurants in the port of Calpe, where you will lose yourself among the offers and recommendations of the stalls that offer their fish and seafood.
But that’s not all. What else can you see in Calpe? If you decide to enter and stroll through the old town of Calpe, you will get to know its essence, that of a fishing village that despite its innovation, growth and focus on tourism, has not lost its past and shows it in a unique way to its visitors through its narrow streets and fishermen’s houses.
Where is Calpe?
You might be wondering where is Calpe, as the location of this town is a little bit hidden because there is neither a motorway nor a dual carriageway to reach it; you can only get there by national road. It can be reached from three points: from Benissa, from Altea, or from Moraira.
Calpe is a town that belongs to the Costa Blanca, in the Valencian Community and is located in the north of the province of Alicante.
You will be able to recognise it by the enormous rock that rises up on its coast, the Peñón de Ifach, the reference point for getting to Calpe, as it is up to 332 metres high, something that makes it recognisable from long distances. The Peñón de Ifach is one of the most important symbols of the Costa Blanca.
What can you do in Calpe?
As we mentioned at the beginning of this text, you will have a long list of things to do and see in Calpe, and here we are going to leave you with the most interesting ones, so that you don’t miss anything in this wonderful town on the Costa Blanca.
– The Rock of IFach
This great mass of up to 332 metres high, known as the Peñón de Ifach, declared a natural park since 1987, can be seen as a huge rock located in the sea, but this impressive rock can offer you much more than you think, and we are going to tell you all about it so that you don’t leave it for the last day.
First of all, you should know that this rock can be visited and you can also access the top of it, from where you can marvel at the spectacular views of the entire coast of Calpe extending to nearby towns such as Moraira and Altea, as well as seeing the impressive skyline of Benidorm and the light of the city of Alicante in the distance, on clear days you can also make out Formentera, Ibiza and even the Cape of Santa Pola.
This park shelters a multitude of birds that breed and coexist with other species, such as the yellow-legged gull or the peregrine falcon, and is home to an endemic flora that is very characteristic of the Mediterranean and the Costa Blanca, such as the thyme and the silene de Ifach.
– La Pobla d’Ifach
La Pobla d’Ifach is a medieval settlement that you can see in Calpe, located at the foot of the Peñón de Ifach.
A site that has not been investigated, excavated or transformed, this is what makes La Pobla d’Ifach special, archaeological remains that may hide a great story about Calpe at the time of the Reconquest.
– Príncipe de Asturias Ecological Walk
If you are looking for a quiet walk somewhere special, this is the place for you. The Príncipe de Asturias ecological walk is located just below the Peñón de Ifach, leaving from the port of Calpe, you can walk around the rock and discover the colour of the waters that surround it, as well as the birds that you can see flying or trying to catch fish to eat.
This is undoubtedly a unique walk that can be done by everyone, as it is not difficult at all.
– The fish market and its restaurants
As we mentioned before, the fish market is one of those things to see and do in Calpe that you cannot miss.
Here you can see the arrival of the fishing boats in port, unload the fresh fish from the bay, and then you can go inside the building and discover the fish auction that takes place between the businessmen of the municipality, restaurant owners and other people in charge of selling fish and seafood both in the town and in the surrounding area of Calpe.
– Las Salinas
In the town centre of Calpe you may come across a lagoon, which seems to be badly placed or to give the impression that the sea has been trapped in the town, but this is not the case at all, as this lagoon was formed millions of years ago and has been used for the salt industry for hundreds of years, and is now only for the enjoyment of the birds that live and migrate to this protected wetland area in the province of Alicante.
Nowadays it can be visited by footpaths and viewpoints located to the north of the lagoon, from where we can enjoy bird watching, such as the common flamingos or the grey heron.
– The Queen’s Baths
Another of the must-see places in Calpe are the Baños de la Reina (Queen’s Baths). Its history is full of luxury and majesty.
The history of this archaeological site tells us, through its mosaics, that it belonged to a person with great purchasing power, which is why legend has it that whoever visited this palace was a queen, and that she bathed in the pools that she considered natural, but history and the study of the area indicate that they were excavated and used as fish farms and later as a fish drying area.
A unique place that will give you an insight into the great history that runs through the town.
What to do in Calpe with children?
Calpe is an ideal town to visit with the family because of its quiet walks, its shallow beaches and kilometres of sand on which you can tirelessly make castles. And, of all the possibilities, what can you do in Calpe with children? Take a look:
Strolling through the old town of Calpe
The old town of Calpe will be your oasis from the eternal days of sun and beach. Squares with murals on their walls, alleys that intertwine with others, corners that smell of the sea and remind us that we are in Calpe.
You can see parts of the old wall that surrounded the town, such as the Torreó de la Peça or the Forat de la Mar y Arrabal, an opening in one of the mouths that was closed off by the wall. From here, in ancient times, sailors could see the sea to decide whether they could set sail depending on the state of the sea.
Strolling through the streets of Calpe will take you back to antiquity through its mosaics, stone walls, and other history enclosed within its streets.
Bathing in the Baños de la Reina (Queen’s Baths)
After getting to know the history of the Baños de la Reina you will not be able to leave Calpe without taking a dip in its waters, enjoying at the same time its quiet pools, perfect to visit with children, thanks to the safety provided by its shallow and clear waters.
Strolling around the Calpe Salt Flats
Another of the routes that you can see in Calpe with your family is that of the salt pans. Children will love to visit them and get to know every corner of them, as they will be able to enjoy the birds that live there and that is something that children love. They will be able to enjoy the flamingos, whose particular pink colour will attract their attention, as well as learn about the history of the salt flats, where millions of years ago salt was extracted for human consumption, they will be fascinated.
Strolling along Calpe’s ecological trails
In Calpe you will find a multitude of spaces and ecological trails where you can stroll, have fun and find spectacular viewpoints overlooking the sea. Natural and accessible routes to visit that will delight the whole family.
Do you need a place to stay while you see these 10 wonders of Calpe? Come in and get to know one of these villas for rent in Calpe. And, as you know, if you eat and sleep well, you will enjoy the day much better!
