15 Best Things to do in Calpe (Spain)

Here’s a list of the 15 best things to do in Calpe in Spain, along with famous landmarks, museums, and other points of interest.

Calpe is a charmig seaside town on Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante. It is often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in Spain as well. Calpe, also known as Calp is especially famous for its beautiful beaches, rich birdlife and striking limestone rocks that surrounds the city.

In this article, I’m sharing some of the best places to visit in Calpe as well as interesting facts and attractions that shouldn’t be missed while visiting.

Cala de Calpe

The beautiful beaches of Calpe are one of its main draws, stretching out over the gorgeous azure Mediterranean. Visit the calas, which include among them urban beaches with plenty of facilities, like Arenal-Bol and Fossa-Levante.

Zona Norte includes some rocky calas, perfect for snorkeling, as well as virgin, uncrowded calas. South of Calpe, the calas are beautiful and have amazing views of the Peñón de Ifach.

Parque Natural de Penyal d’Ifac

This natural park is one of the most important in the region. Stretching out from a thin isthmus, extending itself into the sea, the imposing rock reaches an elevation of 332 meters.

The massif is made of limestone, and it houses quite a lot of wildlife, both flora, and fauna. It is possible to hike to the top, and the visitor who does so is rewarded with amazing views of Valencia province.

The Phoenicians used to call it the Northern Rock (the southern rock being Gibraltar). It is a mere 45 square meters of land, making it the smallest natural park in Europe.

Torreón de la Pieza

Once a defense bastion in the 1300s, this tower was the most important strategic bulwark against invaders. It held four cannons on its stone foundations to protect from pirate attacks on the city.

In those days, Calpe was also protected by two walls, with only a single door to allow outside visitors.

Playa de la Fossa

Playa de la Fossa is Calpe’s main stretch of sand. Bordered on the north by Calalga beach and on the south by the Penyal d’Ifac, it is nearly one kilometer long.

As a city beach, it is well equipped and includes a section for use of boats as well as wood boardwalk accesses, bathrooms, lifeguards, and more. The beach is also lined with bars, restaurants, and shops, making it a great place to spend the day.

Calpe Promenade

The Calpe promenade is a beautiful walkway that snakes along Calpe’s Playa Arenal-Bol. The “Infanta Elena Promenade” stretches two kilometers along the beach, reaching as far as the city’s beautiful fishing port.

It is a diverse space when it comes to both people and buildings. You can see visitors from all nationalities as well as old villas intermingle with new high-rises. Strolling in the evening offers a beautiful view of the sunset over the sea—make like a local and grab an ice cream while you walk.

Las Salinas de Calpe

The salt flats in Calpe are located just outside the city, right next to the Penyal d’Ifac. The area was used to harvest salt until 1988, when it was set aside as an ecological preserve due to its important wildlife.

Over 170 species of birds have been registered here, the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), being particularly numerous and present throughout the year. Salinas de Calpe are particularly well-loved by birdwatchers.

Casco Antiguo

The Casco Antiguo, or Old Town, of Calpe is best begun on the exterior wall that has surrounded it for hundreds of years. This “Forat a la Mar” was attacked in 1813 by French troops that wanted to invade.

Nearby is the Moorish section of the Old Town, with steep streets with staircases that have been beautifully decorated over the years.

There are several monuments worth checking out, including the Torreón de la Pieza and the Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves. In the Plaza del Mosquit, there is a beautiful mural mosaic by Gaston Castelló, an artist from Alicante.

Photo: leonardo2011 / Shutterstock.com

Photograph the famous Puchalt street

Puchalt Street in the center of Calpe is one of the most photographed places in the city. The answer lies in the colorful stairs that climb the length of the street.

They are painted with the colors of the Spanish flag, so that when you view Puchalt Street straight on, it looks like one long flag. The stairs were built to protect from falls on this steep street back in the 1970s.

However, the painting took place during a beautification contest in 1982, held as part of the 300^th anniversary of Cristo del Sudor, as an idea of the neighbors. The town hall then added 30 planters with the flag to top it off.

Photo: Veja / Shutterstock.com

Parroquia Virgen De Las Nieves

The “Our Lady of the Snows” parish dates back hundreds of years, although documents on the church are scarce as they were all burned in various fires.

The best knowledge says that the first church was a small converted building, although a new building was added onto the old one in 1970 to hold more believers.

Playa del Cantal Roig

Cantal Roig beach is another one of Calpe’s central beaches. Located off of the port of Calpe and close to the famous Penyal d’Ifac, the beach is notable for its many surrounding restaurants and bars.

A smaller beach, only 200 meters long, it is nonetheless popular with local families and visitors. Cantal Roig is especially recommendable on a windy day, because the beach is among the most protected of the coast.

Museo De Coleccionismo

A curious museum in a curious place, the Museo de Coleccionismo is located in Calpe’s historical Torreón de la Pieza. This museum is dedicated to collections, and yes, it is as simple as it sounds.

It holds collections of everything from cameras to Barbies on its walls. Founded in 1997, it specifically provides a space for members of the Association of Collectors of Marina Alta. It also holds temporary exhibitions.

FlyBoard Calpe

FlyBoard Calpe runs a water adventure service in which clients can hydrofly over the sea. Water thrusts up from a pair of boots, enabling the rider to fly up to 22 meters into the air.

Flyboard Calpe offers this experience starting at €80/hour. The best time to flyboard in the Calpe waters is the afternoon, from 4pm on, although it always depends on the weather conditions.

Arenal Bol

Arenal-Bol beach stretches over a kilometer long, and it is one of the main beaches of Calpe. Located right in the center, it is popular with much of the city. Its urban promenade is lined with high-rise hotels and framed with the Penyal d’Ifac.

Averaging a 50-meter width, the beach is big enough for everyone and it’s loved by many too, thanks to its fine golden sand and clear waters. This beach has the Bandera Azul distinction.

Go diving with DIVE&DIVE Centro de Buceo

This five-star diving company has a center devoted to diving located on the Penyal d’Ifac national park. They won the industry PADI award for three years, reaching diamond level as the school that gave the most diving classes in all of Spain.

They offer a range of courses, for every level from total beginner to an experienced diver. The convenient location right on the water makes this truly an incredible experience.

Mirador Monte Toix

This popular lookout spot makes an amazing day trip. A two-hour hike will get you near the top of Monte Toix, to this viewpoint that boasts incredible views of the Penyal d’Ifac and the bay.

You can also take a guided tour to reach the top. A popular route passes through the Mascarat pass’s rocks to reach the so-called Morro de Toix, which sits at about 300 meters above sea level. The outcropping is where the Sierra de Bernia meets the ocean, located between Calpe and Altea.

Interesting facts about Calpe

The oldest remains in Calpe dates back to the Bronze Age.
The city was named by the Phoenicians.
Calpe has a population of around 21600 residents.
The local economy is centered around tourism and fishing.
It features a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers.
Calpe has an average of 325 sunny days and more than 3000 hours of sunshine per year.