If you're planning a holiday on the Costa Blanca and wondering whether Calpe deserves a spot on your itinerary — stop wondering. After ten years of living and exploring this stretch of coastline, I can tell you that Calpe is one of the most underrated towns on the entire Spanish Mediterranean. It has a rock that dominates the skyline like a mini-Gibraltar, beaches that rival anything in the Alicante province, and a fish market that still sells the morning catch to locals at 5pm. This guide covers the 15 best things to do in Calpe so you can make the most of every day.
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Find rentals →1. Climb the Peñón de Ifach
Calpe's defining landmark is the Peñón de Ifach, a 332-metre limestone rock that juts dramatically into the sea. It's a Natural Park and the trail to the summit is one of the most rewarding short hikes on the Costa Blanca. Plan two to three hours round trip, wear proper trainers, and bring water — the path narrows and goes through a tunnel carved into the rock. The views from the top over the Bay of Calpe and across to Ibiza on a clear day are genuinely breathtaking. Entry to the park is free but you need to reserve your spot in advance on the Generalitat Valenciana's booking portal (free to reserve, just limited numbers daily).
2. Spend a Morning at the Fish Market (Lonja de Calpe)
The Lonja de Calpe is one of the most active fish auctions on the northern Costa Blanca. You can watch the auction weekday afternoons around 5pm, but even more useful is buying fresh fish at the adjacent retail counter. Pick up gambas rojas de Dénia (a local specialty), fresh dorada, or whatever came off the boats that morning. It's a completely authentic slice of local life that most tourists miss entirely.
3. Swim at Playa de la Fossa
Playa de la Fossa (also called Playa Levante) is Calpe's longest and most popular beach — about 1.5km of fine golden sand with the Peñón as a backdrop. In May it's already warm enough to swim comfortably and the crowds haven't yet hit peak-summer madness. There's good parking behind the promenade, beach bars open from late morning, and pedalos available if you have kids in tow.
4. Discover Playa Arenal-Bol
On the other side of the Peñón sits Playa Arenal-Bol, a slightly smaller but arguably more picturesque beach. It faces west, which means incredible late-afternoon light and spectacular sunsets. The water here tends to be calmer too, making it a favourite with families. The beach restaurant La Bohème has a solid fish menu and tables literally on the sand.
5. Explore the Casco Antiguo (Old Town)
Calpe's old quarter is compact but full of character. Wander the whitewashed streets, peek into the 15th-century Iglesia de la Virgen de las Nieves, and look out for the remains of the old city wall near Plaza de la Villa. There are a handful of good tapas bars here — Bar Cervantes on Calle Virgen is my personal go-to for patatas bravas and a cold Estrella.
6. Visit the Roman Salting Factory (Les Salines)
Just beside the Peñón you'll find the ruins of a Roman fish-salting factory (Baños de la Reina), dating back to the 1st century AD. Romans used to salt fish here and ship it across the empire. It's free to visit and sits right next to a small natural swimming area that's superb for snorkelling.
7. Snorkel or Dive Around the Peñón
The waters around the base of the Peñón de Ifach are part of a marine reserve, which means visibility is excellent and sea life is abundant. Local dive school Calpe Diving runs guided dives and snorkel tours from the beach — worth booking ahead in May as it's shoulder season and instructors have more time for you.
8. Take a Boat Trip Along the Coast
Several operators run boat excursions from Calpe's Puerto Pesquero. A half-day trip typically takes you north toward the Morro de Toix cliffs, south toward Altea, and stops for swimming in a cove or two. Prices run around €30-40 per adult. In May the sea is calm and you might spot dolphins — I've seen them on this stretch more times than I can count.
9. Watch the Sunset from Las Salinas
Las Salinas de Calpe is a protected salt lake sitting right between the two main beaches. Flamingos stop here during migration — in May there's a reasonable chance you'll spot a few pink stragglers before they head north. The path around the lake is flat and easy, and the western side gives you a front-row seat for the sunset with the Peñón silhouetted behind you.
10. Day Trip to Guadalest
About 45 minutes inland from Calpe, Guadalest is one of the most dramatic hilltop villages in the whole Valencia region. A medieval castle perches on top of a spike of rock, and the reservoir below turns an impossible shade of turquoise in spring. Go on a weekday morning to beat the coach tours. Take the CV-715 via Callosa d'En Sarrià.
11. Eat Arroz a Banda in a Proper Restaurant
You cannot leave Calpe without eating arroz a banda — the local rice dish cooked in fish stock and served with aioli. My recommendation: Restaurant Peix & Brases on the Avenida de la Diputación, run by a local family, with a weekday lunch menu for around €15. It's the real deal, not a tourist trap.
12. Cycle the Via Verde
The Via Verde del Maigmó isn't right on Calpe's doorstep but the flat coastal cycling paths around town are genuinely good. Rent bikes from Calpe Bici near the port and pedal north toward Moraira or south toward Altea along routes that hug the coastline. In May the wildflowers are still blooming and the temperatures (low 20s°C) are perfect for cycling.
13. Try Paddle Tennis or Padel
Spain is obsessed with padel and Calpe is no exception. Club de Tenis Calpe has multiple courts available for hire by the hour and racket rental on site. It's a surprisingly fun way to spend an evening, especially if you're staying a week and want to mix beach days with something active.
14. Take the Kids to Mundomar or Terra Mítica
If you're travelling with children, both Mundomar (dolphin and sea lion shows, water park) and Terra Mítica (big theme park) are within 40 minutes by car near Benidorm. Neither is Calpe-specific, but they make excellent rainy-day or one-big-day options during a week-long holiday rental stay.
15. Have Dinner in the Puerto Pesquero
Calpe's fishing harbour transforms in the evening into a lovely strip of restaurants with outdoor terraces. Tables face the marina, the air smells of grilled fish, and the pace is unhurried. Casa del Pescador is the most famous name here but honestly the restaurants either side of it are equally good and often easier to get a table without booking weeks ahead.
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Practical Tips for Visiting Calpe
- Getting there: Alicante Airport is 70km south (about 50 mins by car). No direct train to Calpe — the TRAM line runs to Benidorm and you'd need a bus or taxi for the final stretch.
- Best time to visit: May and early June are ideal — warm, uncrowded, and everything is open.
- Parking: The large car park behind Playa de la Fossa is paid but affordable (around €1.50/hour). Street parking near the old town is limited.
- Book direct and save: When you book your Calpe vacation rental through JV Properties, you pay up to 18% less than you would through Airbnb or Booking.com. That's a proper saving on a week's holiday.
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