Sandy beaches, an ancient town of contrasts

Calpe's attractions have made it a tourist destination of note on Spain's Costa Blanca, for both national and international visitors. With 11 kms of sandy beaches and coves, Calpe is the ideal family destination on the Spanish Costa Blanca, and is popular amongst scuba diving and fishing enthusiasts from Spain and all over Europe.

Calpe will surprise you with its daring contrasts, where modern buildings and wide avenues harmonize with an ancient fishing village, where locals are proud of their past, yet welcome tourists and visitors with warm hearted hospitality.

More than just a Spanish holiday resort...

One of the town's attractions is that it isn't just a Spanish holiday resort, dominated by bars, ice cream parlours and restaurants. There are 13,000 residents and a multitude of thriving businesses, ranging from department stores and furniture emporiums to hardware and ironmongery shops.

The typically Spanish old town of Calpe attracts many visitors, drawn by the interesting museums and picturesque little streets and squares. The many bars and restaurants, most of them with a lively terrace, are an ideal place to spend a pleasant summer evening.

Penon de Ifach - Second highest in the Mediterranean

Set between Altea and Javea on the Spanish Costa Blanca, the town is famous for its rock - the Penon de lfach. The Penon de Ifach is Calpe's symbol, and is the second highest rock in the entire Mediterranean after Gibralter.

The Penon de Ifach divides the town's beaches in two. The limestone mass is 332 metres high and extends 1 km into the sea, forming a first-rate geological feature. The Penon is now a nature reserve and despite its formidable appearance, a walk to the top takes about an hour and is straightforward if you are reasonably fit. A tunnel carved through one cliff face takes you to the gentler slopes on the other side, but you still need to scramble a bit in places - so be sure to have sensible footwear. The view from the top of the Spanish coastline and mountains is stupendous.

At the foot of the Penon are the 'Banos de la Reina' (meaning The Queen's Baths). These ancient ruins are actually the site of a Roman 'factory' for drying and salting fish.

This is a market town for the surrounding area - there is a huge Saturday market with superb fresh produce, as well as clothes, leather goods and bric-a-brac. It doesn't close in the winter, unlike many seaside resorts, making it a popular destination for long-stay winter visitors. Many visitors never move from its wonderful beaches, but those who do find there are plenty of walks and places of interest to keep them occupied.