Calpe / Calp
Calpe, also know spelt without the 'e' as Calp, is instantly recognised by the mighty Penon de Ifach, the huge rock which rises 332 meters out of the Mediterranean sea. This has stood guard over the town and witnessed its transformation from sleepy little fishing village into tourist magnet.
Calpe is best known for its fine sandy beaches and great value fish restaurants. There are two stunning beaches to choose from, one either side of the might rock. Both beaches have beautiful long promenades and a great selection of bars and cafes. The fish restaurants are to be found mainly around the marina and the town centre has some excellent local shopping facilities including a large street market.
The Rock of Ifach, which has been compared to the Rock of Gibraltar, was as declared a nature reserve in 1987 and now provides a safe haven for a variety of birds and unusual flora and fauna. For the energetic, there is a fantastic walking route which goes through a tunnel in the rock and takes you right to its very tip!
Places of interest and ideas of things to do in Calpe / Calp
- Town Centre: great shopping district.
- Tourist Office: for more information about the town and its museums including the Collectors museums, Comic museum, Fiesta museum, Archaeology museum, Ethnological museum and the Casa de la Senyoreta museum.
- Beaches: long sandy beaches.
- Marina: small marina beside small rocky beach.
- Market: large Saturday morning.
- Natural Park: the Rock of Ifach park with fantastic walking route.
- Salinas: salt lake great for bird watching.
- Scenic Drive: to Moraira along CV746 with lots of possible stops for admiring the views!
Ideas of places to twin Calpe / Calp with day or night
- There is enough to do in Calpe to keep you busy for a whole day. The museums are worth a visit and old town is lovely to wander around. Then there is the beach to relax on and a great selection of restaurants to dine at, many of which offer freshly caught fish dishes.
- Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the busy street market on a Saturday morning, after a stop at the Salinas to admire the Flamingos head inland to the beautiful town of Benissa with its superbly restored historic quarter for some peace and quiet.
- Have a day of scenery. Follow the marked walking trails through the natural park that protects the Rock of Ifach. Take the CV746 scenic road to Moraira and have a wander along the seafront to the marina.
Places of Interest
Calpe Beach North End Playa Levante
N38o38.554 E0o04.330Parking: is in any of the marked spaces on the side of the road and is free.
From here: walk onto the long sandy beach and it's promenade.
Calpe Beach South End Playa L'Arenal-Bol
N38o38.545 E0o03.024Parking: is in any of the designated car parks and is charged for by length of stay, this is the coordinate for the Plaza Colon parking.
From here: the beach and promenade is right beside the car park.
Top tip: to avoid paying for car parking and driving through the busy streets of Calpe Town park beside the Salinas and walk.
Calpe Marina
N38o38.172 E0o04.283Parking: is in any of the marked space on the side of the road and is free.
From here: explore the marina and walk down onto the small rocky beach.
Calpe Market Large Saturday Morning
N38o38.867 E0o02.985Parking: is on the side of the road and is free.
From here: walk towards the main road and use the bridge to cross it, the markets starts here!
Calpe Paraje Natural Las Salinas
N38o38.542 E0o03.810Parking: is in any of the spaces on the side of the road and is free.
From here: you are right beside the salinas natural park, so stop and admire the pink flamingos!
Top tip: the tourist office is on the opposite side of the road if you want some more information.
Calpe Parque Natural del Penon de Ifach
N38o38.347 E0o04.352Parking: is on gravelled car park area and is free.
From here: the entrance to the natural park is right beside the car park, enter and follow the marked walking trail around the park, through the tunnel in the rock and onto the seaward side of the Penon de Ifach for some amazing views!
Calpe Scenic Driving Route
N38o38.560 E0o04.089Parking: this isn't a car park, but the coordinate for the start of the scenic drive to Moraira.
From here: follow the road along the CV746, stopping where you want at any of the viewpoints or beaches.
Top tip: the coordinate for the finish of the scenic drive in Moraira is N38o40.875 E0o07.095.
Calpe Town Centre
N38o38.521 E0o02.915Parking: is in the underground car park Sol y Mar and is charged for by length of stay, there are lots of other small pay car parks, so you can park in any of these.
From here: explore the town centre or walk down onto the south end beach.
Top tip: to avoid paying for car parking and driving through the busy streets of Calpe Town park beside the Salinas and walk.
