Calpe is one of those places where you genuinely struggle to leave — the Peñón de Ifach is right there, the beach is extraordinary, and the chiringuitos serve ice-cold clara at prices that still seem too good to be true. But after a few days, most guests I speak with start itching to explore a bit further. The good news? Calpe sits in perhaps the best-connected spot on the entire Costa Blanca. Within 60 minutes in any direction, you have medieval mountain villages, bustling market towns, salt lakes, dramatic capes, and one of Spain's most underrated cities. Here's what I actually recommend after ten years of living here.
Guadalest: The Mountain Village That Will Stop You in Your Tracks
If you do one day trip from Calpe, make it Guadalest. It's only about 45 minutes inland (via the CV-70, through Callosa d'En Sarrià — stop and buy some nísperos if it's still early June), and the drive alone through the Guadalest Valley is worth it. The village itself sits on top of a rocky outcrop at about 580 metres above sea level, accessed through a tunnel carved into the rock. It sounds dramatic because it is.
The views over the turquoise reservoir are genuinely jaw-dropping. Walk through the Castillo de San José (entry around €2), browse the surprisingly good ceramic shops, and grab lunch at one of the terrace restaurants overlooking the valley. Budget about three to four hours here. Go early — by 11am in June it fills up with coach tours and the magic fades slightly.
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Find rentals →Practical tip: Park at the base of the village (free, large car park) and walk up. Driving up to the top is theoretically possible but I wouldn't recommend it.
Altea: The Most Beautiful Village on the Costa Blanca
I'll be honest — I think Altea old town is more beautiful than any village in the south of France, and I say that having spent plenty of time in both. Just 20 minutes south of Calpe along the N-332, Altea's cobbled streets tumble down a hillside crowned by a blue-and-white domed church. The views back up towards the Bernia ridge are extraordinary.
The lower town (Altea la Vella) has a promenade lined with excellent restaurants — La Costera is one of my personal favourites for rice dishes — while the upper village has boutique galleries and craft shops. In June, the light in the afternoon is perfect for photography. Allow a full half-day. Park near the beachfront and walk up.
Jávea (Xàbia): The Cap Norfeu Alternative
Jávea is just 30 minutes north of Calpe and feels like a completely different world. Where Calpe is dramatic and vertical, Jávea is spread-out, relaxed, and full of coves. The old town (with its fortress-church of San Bartolomé) is genuinely interesting, but the real draw is the coastline around Cap de Sant Antoni and the extraordinary Cala del Portitxol.
For a half-day, I'd suggest: coffee in Jávea old town, a walk along the Arenal beach promenade, then drive out to the Cap de Sant Antoni lighthouse for views that stretch all the way back to the Peñón de Ifach. If you're up for a swim, Cala Granadella is one of the best beaches in the entire province — crystal water, backed by pine trees, and accessible via a short walk.
June bonus: The market in Jávea runs on Thursdays at the port — good for olive oil, local honey, and almonds.
Benidorm: Yes, Really
I know, I know. But hear me out. Benidorm is only 25 minutes south of Calpe and in June — before the absolute peak of July and August — it's actually a fascinating place to visit for a few hours. The old town (Casco Antiguo) perched on the headland between the two beaches is genuinely lovely, with a small church, a viewpoint over Poniente beach, and some of the best-value seafood restaurants on the coast.
The Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint at sunset is genuinely one of the best vistas on the Costa Blanca. And yes, the beaches are huge and well-organised if you want a day of straightforward sunbathing with every amenity available. Just avoid arriving between noon and 3pm on a Saturday in July.
Denia: Salt, Prawns & a Castle Worth Climbing
Denia sits about 35 minutes north of Calpe and is one of those places that rewards curiosity. The castle overlooking the town is free to enter and has a small but excellent archaeological museum. The old fishing quarter (Baix la Mar) has some of the best restaurants in the region — El Pegolí for gambas rojas de Denia, which are famous across Spain.
The salt flats (Las Salinas) just south of Denia are worth a stop — flamingos gather here in spring and early summer, and the contrast of pink birds against white salt mountains feels almost unreal. June is actually one of the best months to see them before the heat really bites.
Getting there: The N-332 works fine, but if you want to avoid the coastal traffic, take the AP-7 motorway (tolls, but fast — about 25 minutes).
Polop & Callosa: The Inland Duo
For something completely different on a cooler day, Polop de la Marina (25 minutes from Calpe) is a tiny medieval village above Benidorm that almost nobody visits. There's a famous fountain with 221 spouts (locals come from all around to fill water bottles), a ruined castle, and views across the entire Marina Baixa region.
Pair it with a visit to the Fuentes del Algar near Callosa d'En Sarrià — natural waterfalls and swimming holes in the mountains, extremely popular in June. Arrive before 10am or after 5pm to beat the queues. Entry is around €4 per person.
A Quick Word on Getting Around
For all of these excursions, a hire car makes life significantly easier — though Guadalest, Altea, and Benidorm are reachable by bus (ALSA and local lines). Check the getting to Calpe transport guide for bus and taxi details.
If you're staying in a holiday rental in Calpe, having a base with parking (many of our apartments include it) makes day tripping genuinely stress-free. Most days I'd suggest leaving before 9:30am — roads along the coast in June are fine early, but the N-332 can slow down around midday.
Book Direct & Save on Your Calpe Base
A well-chosen apartment in Calpe makes all of these day trips far more enjoyable — you come back to your own space, your own kitchen, your own terrace. When you browse our properties in Calpe, you're booking directly with JV Properties, which means you save up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com prices for the exact same apartment. No platform fees, no inflated pricing — just straightforward direct booking.
Calpe is genuinely the best base on the Costa Blanca for exploring, and June is my favourite month to do it. The crowds haven't peaked yet, the light is incredible, and you've got weeks of long evenings ahead of you.
