View of Calpe with the Peñón de Ifach in the background
Calpe is one of the 12 most beautiful municipalities on the Costa Blanca. It is located between Altea and Moraira, in the north of the province of Alicante, and together with other nearby towns, it is one of the most exploited tourist areas in the whole of the Levantine coast. Today we tell you what to see in Calpe and why this town is an essential destination if you visit the coast of Alicante.
How to get to Calpe
Calpe, or in Valencian Calp, is a coastal town located in the Marina Alta, and is widely known for its most outstanding natural attraction, the Ifach Rock. To reach this town, you can access from two ways, the national road N-332 and the Mediterranean highway A-7 at exit 63 (Benissa-Teulada-Calpe) if you are traveling from the south, or exit 64 (Altea – Calpe) if you are traveling from the north.
In case you want to visit this town while you are staying at our facilities in Camping Armanello, the itinerary to follow can be either of the two options, depending on the area from which you are traveling. The trip from the campsite is about 35 minutes by the coast, by national road; and a few minutes less by the highway.
An alternative to traveling by car is to reach Calpe by public transport, with buses from Benidorm, Altea, Alicante or Denia; or the Alicante coast tramway line 9.
What to visit in Calpe
The Peñón de Ifach dominates the entire Marina Alta and outlines the entire coastline. It is the first great attraction of the municipality. But if you have questions about Calpe and what to see, its tourist attractions are many and varied. Here is a small selection of those places that are also worth a visit.
Peñon de Ifach
The natural park Peñón de Ifach welcomes in its domains this impressive mound that rises 327 meters above sea level. This rocky mass on the coast offers one of the best landscapes of the Costa Blanca and is an essential place to learn about the Mediterranean ecosystem.
The route to the top starts at the port of Calpe and passes through the park’s interpretation area, from there you must follow a path through a tunnel to the other side of the rock to climb to the top. It is a simple walk, but it has some points of some difficulty. Since 2020, reservations must be made in advance, although the climb is free of charge.
Calpe Old Town
Another answer to the question of what to visit in Calpe is the old town. This town in Alicante has a network of winding streets and beautiful colorful houses overlooking the sea, as the essence of its seafaring tradition.
In this route, through the center of the town, there are interesting points such as the Torreón de la Peça, the Plaza de la Villa, Gabriel Miró street, Puchalt street, the Forat de la Mar or the hermitages of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves and San Salvador. The best way to discover all these corners is to take a free tour of Calpe, as the guide will awaken the interest of tourists with his extensive knowledge about the history of the town.
Port of Calpe
More than seeing the port, this one stands out for its own activity. So, when we are asked about things to see in Calpe or activities to do, one of them is to discover its port.
This is located to the west of the Ifach Rock and serves as a starting point to climb up to the rocky mass. It began to be built in the middle of the 30’s of the last century and in the 1950’s it was partially destroyed by the intensity of two strong storms. Years later it was rehabilitated with new works and extensions.
In the port, there are numerous restaurants where you can taste fresh products from the coast. You also have the possibility to take a catamaran ride at sunset to see the sunset and the silhouette of the rock of Ifach. As if this were not enough, do not miss the opportunity to attend the fish auction at the fish market, which is held from Monday to Friday at 5:00 pm.
Beaches and coves of Calpe
The municipality extends along a coastline of 13 kilometers. Therefore, Calpe offers endless beaches and coves to enjoy swimming, water sports and diving. Some of the best known are those of Levante or La Fossa, Arenal-Bol beach, Puerto Blanco or Cantal Roig.
The smaller sandy beaches, the coves, are also very attractive for the visitor. Highlights include the Manzanera, les Urques, les Bassetes or Cala Racó del Corb. The latter is located next to the slope of the Ifach rock and is a very interesting place for diving, due to the richness of marine fauna. In fact, it is the only beach or cove in the Valencian Community that has an underwater route signposted with underwater panels indicating the way to follow.
The Oltá mountain range
One of the characteristics that best define a good part of the coast of Alicante is that next to the sea there are nearby mountain ranges that form beautiful landscapes. This conjunction between coast and mountains is also reflected in the steepness of the coastline at many points.
In Calpe there are also mountains, specifically the Oltá mountain range. It is located a few kilometers from the town center. Its mountains rise up to almost 600 meters and offer a very complete panoramic view of the entire Costa Blanca and the Ifach Rock. The PR-CV 340 hiking route is the best way to reach the highest point.
Now you have a small idea of what to see in Calpe. This municipality of the Marina Alta is a must for those who spend a few days on the Costa Blanca. If you want to visit Calpe and, at the same time, enjoy a unique experience, Camping Armanello recommends you to visit one of our campsites. You can enjoy both with your family or as a couple, and thanks to its proximity, visiting Calpe is very easy. Don’t miss the opportunity!
