Things to do and see in Calpe Spain

One of the most beautiful towns in Costa Blanca and an ideal holiday destination. Located in the north of the Alicante coast, Calpe is the exact definition of a Mediterranean summer. The imposing Peñón de Ifach dominates the landscape of Calpe, giving it a special beauty and creating a unique natural environment. It stands out for its beaches, the smell of salt, and its atmosphere, but also for having some of the best seafood dishes in the whole region. Discover the most special places to see in Calpe, Spain which will make your stay an unforgettable experience.

Must-see places in Calpe Spain

1. Old Town

The old town is, without a doubt, one of the must-see places in Calpe. You can see the remains of the wall, as well as Torreó de la Peça, which is the most characteristic structure of this place. In the past, these two monuments were used to protect and defend the town of Calpe. Nowadays, the Torreó de la Peça houses the Museum of Collecting, which is another important place to see in Calpe. In the old town, the Old Church and the Virgen de Las Nieves Parish Church are also worth a visit. The old town is the heart of Calpe. It is worth making a stop to get to know the history and culture of this town.

2. Rock of Ifach

The Peñón de Ifach is the most iconic sight of Calpe. Moreover, it is one of the symbols of the Costa Blanca. It is 332m tall and one kilometre long, towering over the Mediterranean Sea. It’s linked to Calpe by a small isthmus, which is the result of a landslide of the Sierra Olta. In addition, it is one of the most unique and characteristic geographical features of the Mediterranean coast. Besides its beauty, the Peñón de Ifach stands out for being one of the most visited natural spaces in Calpe, Spain. Due to its great natural wealth, it is a spot that attracts scuba divers, climbers and hikers.

The route to the top of the Peñón de Ifach has two levels of difficulty. The first section up to the tunnel is very easy, and the rest of the path to the summit is of medium-high difficulty. Whatever your level, a visit to the natural park is a must if you are on the Alicante coast of Calpe.

3. The Queen’s Baths

Los Baños de la Reina is an archaeological site from the Roman period, which has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. It is another of the most representative places of this beautiful town and one of the mandatory things to see in Calpe. It is located just 20 minutes walking distance from Playa del Bol, along the promenade.

In the past, the Roman settlers in Calpe were supplied by the salt from the Mediterranean Sea. This activity generated a small population, whose houses were built on these coastal dunes. With the passing of time, the remains of this settlement left the reason for these formations to the imagination. Thus, the rafts were identified as the “Baños de la Reina Mora” (Baths of the Black Queen), which gave this unique site its name. This Roman site is an exceptional coastal spot in Calpe, and an essential visit on your trip.

To organize your travel itinerary we recommend you to do it on the Passporter website, totally free, easy and functional.  You can draw inspiration from the experiences of other travelers and choose the places that interest you most, adding them to the route map.

4. Calpe fishing port

Calpe has a seafaring soul. The sea is of great importance to the town and forms part of its historical heritage. This can be appreciated by walking through the streets of the old town. And, also discovering places such as the Fishermen’s Guild, the fishing port and the fish market. The fishing port is where the essence of Calpe is concentrated. Moreover, the fishing tradition is deeply rooted for the inhabitants of the town.

In Calpe, around 1,700 tonnes of fish are caught annually by trawling and trammel netting. Of course, the product obtained is of great quality, which is why the fish auction is one of Calpe’s famous traditions. The fish auction at the fish market is the event that best represents the town’s gastronomy. It is something well worth experiencing. This event takes place from Monday to Friday at 5:00 pm.

5. Princess of Asturias Route

The route starts at the fishing port, exactly at the Cala El Racó, at the foot of the Peñón de Ifach. The Princesa de Asturias ecological walk is a wide pedestrian promenade with stunning views of the Oltà, Serra Gelada, Puig Campana and Bernia mountain ranges. The route runs close to the Peñón de Ifach Natural Park, making the walk even more pleasant and unique. A beautiful place at the foot of the Peñón de Ifach. Here, you can relax, enjoy the surroundings and marvel at the views.

6. The salt flats of Calpe, Spain

In the middle of this small coastal town, a saltwater lagoon appears as if by magic. Las Salinas de Calpe usually has a variety of birds, the flamingo being one of the most striking, as well as vegetation typical of this ecosystem. The position of the Peñón de Ifach is a decisive factor in the formation of this interesting wetland area. Located almost in the centre of Calpe, it is the ideal place to explore and spend the afternoon.

Salt was a staple product for the preservation of foodstuffs, which was used for the commercialisation of its fishing. This is evidence that the exploitation of the Calpe Salt Flats had a very remote origin. The saltworks acquired great importance throughout history, supplying more than 40 municipalities. They ceased to operate at the end of the 1980s, and in 1993 they were declared a maritime-terrestrial zone.

7. The Red Wall

The Muralla Roja is a unique apartment complex located in the urbanization La Manzanera, and is without a doubt a must-visit in Calpe. It is an architectural classic, which stands out for its striking colours and geometric conception. It is also recognised due to its creator, the architect Ricardo Bofill. The labyrinthine forms of this original building will show you a different perspective of Calpe. It also provides exceptional view of the Mediterranean Sea. At this point, you will also find the Cala de La Manzanera, an intimate cove named after this enigmatic building that gives light and colour to the coast of Calpe, Spain.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Calpe, Spain?

1. The Algar Springs

Les Fonts d’Algar, located 30 minutes from Calpe, Spain, is a natural spot worth seeing. It is a place with a high degree of conservation, but also has several tourist services. This area was declared a protected wetland area by agreement of the Valencian Government in 2002.

The visit consists of a 1.5 km long circuit along the course of the river Algar, where you can see the spectacular waterfalls. Likewise, the numerous fountains and springs that spring from the rock called “tolls” (pools of water) are areas where you can bathe and admire these pure and crystal clear waters.

What are the best beaches to see in Calpe, Spain?

1. Calpe’s Racó Cove

Located right at the foot of the Peñón de Ifach, this cove with crystal clear water is a favourite for diving enthusiasts. In fact, it is the only beach in the Valencian Community with a signposted underwater route. It has a great variety of marine wildlife, and even has underwater panels that give indications to divers.

2. Gasparet Cove

The only way to reach this small and quiet natural cove of gravel and pebbles is by sea. It is a beautiful beach, perfect for diving and fishing.

3. La Manzanera Cove

This cove is located in a very attractive setting at the foot of the Red Wall. Cala Manzanera offers peace and quiet, as well as a spot of colour and fun from architect Ricardo Bofill’s building in the background.

4. Calalga Cove

Access to this cove is via the pedestrian promenade. It has an area of rocks where the remains of underwater vegetation accumulate, guaranteeing a lush and pleasant seabed for diving. In this cove you will find the ideal calm and atmosphere to enjoy a day at the beach.

To find out what more places you can visit on the Costa Blanca and the province of Alicante, see our post: Things to do and see in Alicante.

5. Levante Beach or La Fossa

This is one of Calpe’s sandy beaches, and also one of the busiest. It is an urban, family beach that offers ample facilities to spend the whole day at the beach. It also offers a beautiful view of the Peñón de Ifach. This beach is delimited by a promenade, where you will find a large number of restaurants, ice-cream parlours, pubs and shops.

How to organise what to see in Calpe, Spain?

You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the suggestions on the Passporter website. There you will find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on what to see and do in Calpe.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Calpe route map

Here is our map with the places we recommend visiting in Calpe so you can organise your trip easily and quickly. You can also add important documents such as travel tickets, hotel reservations and even invite your friends to be part of the itinerary organisation. Using Passporter is free of charge and will help you travel in a more organised way. You can register on the website or download the app to have everything in one place in your pocket 🙂

Where to eat in Calpe, Spain?

The restaurants in the port

Located right next to the fish market, there are a good number of top quality restaurants supplied by the fresh fish that arrives at the port. If you are in Calpe and don’t know where to eat, don’t hesitate to visit this area to try the unbeatable Mediterranean seafood dishes. Here is a selection of the best restaurants in the port of Calpe, so you won’t miss out on the unmistakable flavour of fresh Mediterranean fish.

• Restaurante Puerto Blanco
• Restaurante el Cantal
• Puerto de Calpe

Where to stay in Calpe, Spain?

At Passporter we recommend some of the most charming hotels to stay in Calpe, that will make you want to stay and live there permanantly. Take note of some of the best accommodation in Calpe and select the one that best suits your needs:

– Gran Hotel Sol y Mar
– Maryvilla Inspiración y Vacaciones – Bungalows 
– Suitopía – Sol y Mar Suites Hotel

Frequently Asked Questions about Calpe, Spain