All About CALPE – Your Ultimate Visitor Guide

🌅 All About Calpe – Your Ultimate Visitor Guide - Calpe (also spelled Calp) is just a 25-minute drive north of Benidorm via the N-332. Instantly recognisable by its iconic landmark, the Peñón de Ifach, Calpe offers visitors an unforgettable blend of stunning nature, rich history, and modern coastal living.

🪨 The Peñón de Ifach – Calpe’s Mighty Rock

This imposing limestone rock rises 335 metres out of the Mediterranean, acting as Calpe’s natural guardian. Declared a Nature Reserve in 1987, it hosts rare plants and sea birds.

🥾 Hiking Tip:

• Climbing to the summit is challenging, involving steep, narrow paths and a tunnel section. It’s not suitable for those with vertigo, young children, or limited fitness.

• Alternative: Enjoy the easier 10-minute stroll around its base for amazing views or take a ferry boat tour from the marina.

ℹ️ Note: Since March 2021, daily visitors to the summit are limited to 300 – advance booking required.

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🏖️ Calpe Beaches

Calpe boasts three stunning golden sandy beaches:

• Playa Levante (La Fossa) – family-friendly with clear waters and a promenade lined with cafes and shops.

• Playa del Arenal-Bol – spacious with calm waters ideal for swimming.

• Cantal Roig Beach – smaller and close to the port, perfect for watching fishing boats.

🚶‍♀️ Stroll Through Plaza Mayor

Enjoy a leisurely stroll in Plaza Mayor, the main square of Calpe’s Old Town. This vibrant area is surrounded by cafés, traditional restaurants, and boutique shops, making it the perfect place to pause and soak up the local atmosphere.

🅿️ Parking Tip:
There is a convenient 24-hour underground car park located right by Plaza Mayor. This makes it an ideal starting point to explore Calpe’s charming Old Town without worrying about where to leave your car.

✨ Why visit Plaza Mayor?

• Relax at a terrace café with a coffee or chilled drink.

• Admire the historic architecture and nearby murals.

• Use it as your base to explore the colourful Spanish flag steps, mosaic murals, and hidden alleys of Calpe’s historic centre.

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Calpe Old Town 

🎨 The Painted Steps of Calpe (Escaleras de Colores)

One of Calpe’s most photographed and recognisable landmarks is the brightly painted staircase leading into the old town.

🪜 Location:

• You will find the steps at the entrance to the old town from Avenida Gabriel Miró, just off the seafront. They are hard to miss with their bold stripes of red and yellow, representing the Spanish flag, and sometimes blue is included in the designs.

🌟 History & Meaning:

• These steps were painted as part of a local community urban art project to revitalise and beautify the old town area. The project aimed to attract visitors deeper into the historic centre, promoting cultural tourism and local businesses.

• Over the years, the steps have become an iconic photo spot, symbolising the fusion of traditional Spanish heritage with a colourful modern twist.

• At the top of the steps, you enter Calpe’s charming old town, with its cobbled streets, murals, traditional Valencian architecture, crochet street decorations, and beautiful plazas lined with tapas bars.

📸 Travel Tip:

• Arrive early morning or just before sunset for the best photos with fewer crowds and softer lighting to capture the vivid colours beautifully.

• This spot is also ideal for starting your walking tour of Calpe Old Town, following the tourist route signs from the steps.

⛪ Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves

Located in the heart of Calpe’s Old Town, the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves is a beautiful and unique place of worship dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows, the town’s patron saint.

✨ Key Highlights:

• Built in 1975, the church combines modern architectural lines with traditional Spanish design, creating a striking contrast to the surrounding historic streets.

• Its exterior and interior feature stunning mosaic murals and colourful stained-glass windows, depicting biblical scenes and local religious traditions.

• The church stands next to the remains of the old Gothic-Mudejar church, offering visitors a glimpse into Calpe’s religious heritage across centuries.

• Its bright blue and white façade and distinctive bell tower are visible from many points in the Old Town, acting as a focal landmark for visitors exploring the area.

💡 Why Visit?
Whether you are religious or simply appreciate art and architecture, a visit to this parish church provides:

• A peaceful spot for reflection.

• Insight into Calpe’s cultural identity and patron saint traditions.

• Wonderful photo opportunities thanks to its intricate mosaics and design.

🏰 Torreó de la Peça – Calpe’s Defensive Tower

The Torreó de la Peça is one of Calpe’s most important historic landmarks. It is a restored defence tower dating back to the 15th century, built as part of the fortified walls that protected Calpe’s Christian residents from pirate attacks.

⚔️ Key Facts:

• The name “Peça” refers to a piece of artillery (cannon) that was once stationed in the tower to defend the town.

• Two historic cannons sit next to the tower today, originally extracted from Calpe’s port. These cannons were constructed in England and date back to the 14th century.

• The tower forms part of Calpe’s ancient medieval walls, remnants of which still stand around the old town, offering a glimpse into its defensive past.

🏛️ Museo del Coleccionismo – Museum of Collecting

Housed inside the Torreó de la Peça, this small but fascinating museum was opened in 1997 and is dedicated to private collections and local historical artefacts.

🎟️ What to See:

• Rotating temporary exhibitions featuring everything from ancient coins, stamps, vintage toys, and ceramics to unique local collections.

• Exhibits provide insight into Calpe’s cultural traditions, daily life, and historical evolution.

🕰️ Opening Hours:

• Summer (July to September):

  • 10:00 – 13:00

  • 18:30 – 22:00

  • Closed Mondays

• Winter (October to June):

  • 10:00 – 14:00

  • 16:30 – 19:00

  • Closed Sundays and Mondays

💡 Why Visit?

• It is free to enter and takes just 20-30 minutes to explore.

• Provides a deeper understanding of Calpe’s heritage beyond its beaches.

• Perfect stop while exploring the colourful steps and mosaic-adorned streets of Calpe Old Town.

🎨 Calpe’s Colourful Murals – An Open-Air Art Gallery

As you wander through Calpe Old Town, you will discover that it is like an open-air museum, with vibrant murals and street art decorating its narrow streets and alleyways.

✨ Why Visit the Murals?

• It’s free, immersive, and perfect for leisurely exploration.

• Adds depth to your understanding of Calpe’s cultural identity and community spirit.

• Great backdrop for your holiday photos or creative reels

🏞 Hermitage of San Salvador

If you’re feeling energetic, follow the marked tourist route up to the Hermitage of San Salvador. This small chapel sits atop a hill overlooking Calpe, offering spectacular panoramic views of the town, coastline, and the iconic Peñón de Ifach.

💡 Why visit?

• Enjoy a peaceful walk through Calpe’s historic streets leading to the hermitage.

• Capture beautiful photos of Calpe from above.

• Experience a piece of local history and devotion in this simple yet meaningful hermitage.

⏱ Tip:
Wear comfortable shoes, as the walk includes some uphill sections, but the views at the top make it well worth the effort.

🛥️ Calpe Port & Marina

Split into the fishing harbour and the Royal Calpe Yacht Club, the port is ideal for:

• Fresh fish meals at waterfront restaurants.

• Boat trips to nearby coves and along the coastline.

🥘 Dining out in Calpe

Calpe’s gastronomy combines fresh Mediterranean seafood with inland flavours:

• Local dishes: Paella Valenciana, Arroz Negro, Arroz al Horno, Arroz a Banda, and Arroz del Señoret.

• Desserts: Jijona nougat ice cream and homemade pastries.

• Drinks: Try regional wines, especially ‘Jalon’ for its quality.

🏛️ Ricardo Bofill’s Architectural Legacy in Calpe

The famous Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill left an unmistakable mark on Calpe with his visionary and avant-garde designs that have become iconic landmarks along the coastline.

✨ Key Highlights:

• La Muralla Roja (The Red Wall)

  • Built in 1972, this striking fortress-like apartment complex is inspired by North African kasbahs.

  • Its bold red, pink, and blue tones contrast dramatically with the Mediterranean sky and sea, creating a dreamlike geometric maze.

  • A world-famous Instagram hotspot and architectural masterpiece admired by design enthusiasts globally.

• Xanadú

  • Another Bofill creation, this futuristic building resembles a minimalist castle carved directly from the cliffs.

  • Located near La Muralla Roja, Xanadú’s unique shapes and terraces blend seamlessly into the rocky landscape.

• Plexus

  • A lesser-known yet equally striking project with interconnected structures and terraces, offering spectacular sea views.

🌍 Why Visit Bofill’s Buildings?

• They are architectural icons representing 1970s modernism fused with Mediterranean heritage.

• Ideal for photography, cultural exploration, and appreciating innovative design.

• Their location near Calpe Old Town and the coast makes them easy to visit during your day trip.

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🏰 The Fascinating History of Calpe

Calpe’s history stretches back thousands of years, making it far more than just a beach destination.

Iberian & Roman Roots

Archaeological remains show that Iberian tribes first settled here, choosing Calpe for its strategic coastal position. Later, the Romans founded Calpe as a prosperous colony, focusing on fish salting and preservation, essential for feeding their empire. Remains of Roman fish factories can still be seen at Baños de la Reina (Queen’s Bath) near the seafront.

Moorish Influence

During the medieval period, Calpe became a thriving Moorish settlement. You can still see traces of this era in the old quarter’s architecture, narrow streets, and local traditions.

Pirate Attacks & Christian Defence

Between the 14th and 17th centuries, pirates frequently attacked Calpe, leading to the construction of defensive structures, including:

• Torreó de la Peça: The artillery tower in the old town, built to protect against pirate invasions. Cannons dating back to the 14th century remain displayed nearby.

Modern Transformation

By the 18th century, peace returned, enabling Calpe to grow into a traditional fishing village. Fishing remains central to its identity today, seen daily at the bustling fish market at the port.

In the 20th century, Calpe transformed into an international tourist destination, while preserving its authentic Valencian charm. Landmarks like Penon de Ifach (Rock of Ifach) continue to symbolise its powerful connection to both nature and history.

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🦩 Calpe Salt Flats (Las Salinas)

Once a vital salt mine, Las Salinas is now a protected wetland reserve, home to pink flamingos, storks, and over 160 migratory bird species.
🚶‍♀️ Enjoy a walk or cycle track around this peaceful nature spot located near Avenida de Ejércitos Españoles.

⛳ Leisure & Golf

Calpe offers:

• Water sports: Jet skis, scuba diving, flyboarding, sailing, and parasailing.

• Climbing: Peñón de Ifach for adventurous hikers.

• Golf: Ifach Golf Club in nearby Moraira – a scenic 9-hole course with mountain views.

• Family Park: Funfair rides for all ages on Av de los Ejércitos Españoles (opening hours vary seasonally).

☀️ Climate

Calpe enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with over 325 sunny days per year. Average annual temperatures exceed 20°C, making it an ideal year-round destination. The World Health Organisation named it one of the world’s healthiest climates.

🚗 Getting to Calpe from Benidorm

• By Car: 25 mins via AP-7 & N-332 or 37 mins via scenic N-332.

• Taxi: Approx. €35-40.

• By Boat: Mini cruises (March–October) with Round Town Travel offer beautiful coastal views (1-hour trip).

• By Bus: ALSA service (check timetable online).

• By Train/Tram: Coastal routes available with local buses running within Calpe to key sites.

Day trip to CALPE with Round Town Travel

FIND MORE PLACES TO VISIT ON THE COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Calpe in the 1960s

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📍 Have you visited Calpe? Let us know your favourite part in the comments below! 👇