Calpe

Calp

A lively seaside town dominated by the massive limestone Peñón de Ifach rock jutting into the sea. It offers beautiful beaches, a fishing harbor, and great hiking up the iconic rock.

Things to do

• Hike the Peñón de Ifach — Follow the trail and tunnel carved through the rock up to the summit of this 332-metre limestone outcrop for sweeping views over the Costa Blanca.
• Relax on Playa Arenal-Bol — This long sandy beach lined with cafés and palm trees is the town's main stretch of shoreline, right beneath the Peñón.
• Explore the Salinas de Calpe — Walk around this pink-tinged salt lagoon, a protected wetland where flamingos and other wading birds gather.
• Wander the Casco Antiguo — Stroll the old town's narrow whitewashed streets, medieval walls, and colourful street art near the Iglesia Antigua.
• Visit the fishing port and lonja — See the working harbour where the local fleet lands its catch and, in the late afternoon, watch the fast-paced fish auction.
• See the Baños de la Reina — Explore these Roman-era fish-salting pools and ruins cut into the rocks near the seafront.

Food to try

• Arroz a banda — A classic Alicante-style rice cooked in fish stock and served separately from the seafood it's flavoured with, a Calpe fishing-town staple.
• Fideuà — A local noodle version of paella, cooked with seafood and often a garlicky alioli on the side.
• Suquet de peix — A hearty fishermen's stew of fresh local fish, potatoes, and a rich saffron-tinted broth.
• Espencat — A cold roasted vegetable salad of peppers, aubergine, and salt cod, typical of the Valencian coast.
• Fresh catch from the lonja — Sample whatever fish or seafood was auctioned that day at the port, served simply grilled in the harbourside restaurants.

Local customs & good to know

• Time your Peñón hike early — Start the ascent in the morning to avoid midday heat and crowds, and stick to the marked path as the rock is a protected natural park.
• Catch the evening fish auction — The lonja near the port holds a lively fish auction in the late afternoon that's worth watching even if you're not buying.
• Respect siesta hours — Many small shops and some restaurants close in the early afternoon before reopening in the evening, especially outside peak summer season.
• Check for local festivals — Calpe's Moros y Cristianos festival in late October fills the streets with parades, costumes, and mock battles celebrating the town's history.