Follow the AP-7 highway for a little under an hour east from Alicante and you will reach the town of Calpe (also sometimes spelled Calp as per the Catalan pronunciation).
For a more scenic route you could opt to take the coastal roads, but either way you will find yourself in a picture-perfect Mediterranean beachside town with a towering rock formation rising out of the sea.
It is particularly popular with British expats, and when you see the stunning sights and experience this town for yourself it won’t be hard to understand why.
Whether you are staying on holiday or just visiting for a day from your accommodation in Alicante, Calpe has a fantastic range of things to see and do. Here are some of the most popular…
Penyal d’Ifach
Calpe’s outstanding natural attraction is undoubtedly the Natural Park of Penyal d’Ifach: a dramatic limestone outcrop and one of the most visually impressive features of the Spanish Mediterranean coastline.
It is a wonderful experience to climb to the top of the rock and admire the jaw-dropping views over the city and shoreline – on a clear day it’s even possible to see across to Ibiza.
Bird and nature lovers will also have the chance to see several birds of prey that nest on the rock, including majestic peregrine falcons.
Beaches
Calpe has two sandy beaches sitting on either side of the city – divided quite neatly by the natural park.
The main beach is Playa del Arenal-Bol, which is close to the centre of the town. It has a pleasant promenade running behind it, and is especially popular with families.
Over the other side is Playa de la Fossa. It is wide and somewhat quieter than Arenal-Bol, although both beaches do tend to become quite crowded during the summer months.
Of course, one of the major attractions of Calpe’s beaches is the dramatic scenery provided by Penyal d’Ifach. No matter which beach you are on you will be able to take some great photos.
Town Sights
However, Calpe is much more than just stunning natural attractions. For those interested in history, there are some fascinating cultural and historical sights to be discovered.
For example, the ruins of Los Banos de Reina (The Queen’s Baths) can be found next to the promenade. (Despite their name, they were previously a fish farm.)
The tower of La Peca and the walls of the town are also well worth visiting.