Follow the AP-7 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 rather picture-perfect Mediterranean beachside town with a towering rock formation rising out of the sea.
Very popular with British expats, when you see the stunning sights and experience this town for yourself, it’s not hard to understand why.
Whether you are staying on holiday here 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
The outstanding natural attraction of Calpe is undoubtedly the Natural Park of Penyal d’Ifach. The Penyal d’Ifach is a dramatic limestone outcrop and one of the most visually impressive features of the Spanish Mediterranean coastline.
It is a fantastic experience to climb to the top of the rock and experience the jaw-dropping views over the city and the shoreline – one a clear day it’s even possible to see across to Ibiza.
Bird and nature lovers will also have the chance to see a number of bird of prey that nest on the rock, including majestic peregrine falcons.
The beaches
Calpe has two sandy beaches sitting on either side of the city – divided quite neatly by the Natural Park.
The major beach is Playa del Arenal-Bol which is very close to the centre of the town. It has a nice promenade running behind it, which makes it very 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 get quite crowded during the summer months.
Of course one of the major attractions of the beaches at Calpe is the dramatic scenery provided by Penyal d’Ifach. No matter which beach you are on you will be able to get some great pictures.
The town sights
Calpe is more than just stunning natural attractions though. For those interested in the history of the place there are some fascinating cultural and historical insights to be discovered.
For example, the ruins of Los Banos de Reina (The Queen’s Baths) can be found on next to the promenade – despite their name, it was in fact a fish farm.
The tower of La Peca and the walls of the town are also well worth seeing.