Calpe holidays

Whether you’re looking for beachside activities, historical landmarks or a spot of shopping, holidays in Calpe have you covered.

• For breathtaking views of the coastline, climb to the top of the Rock of Ifach, a 1,089 ft rock formation. The outcrop is a part of the Parque Natural del Penon de Ifach, a 45-hectare area that’s home to 300 animal species.
• Erected to protect Calpe from pirates in the 15th-century, Torreon de la Pieza is a defensive tower that was once a part of the town’s walls. The structure is fronted by two 14th-century cannons.
• Stock up on traditional handicrafts and souvenirs for loved ones back home at the Calpe Craft Market. The outdoor market is also a good place to buy fresh produce.
• Visit Las Salinas de Calpe, Roman salt flats that are now a protected maritime zone. The area features a circular walking trail, and is home to a huge variety of birds, including storks and pink flamingos.
• Constructed between the 2nd and 4th centuries, Banos de la Reina, or Queen's Baths, are the ruins of a thermal bath complex and a fish farm. You can still take a dip in the interconnected ancient pools.
• To learn more about Calpe’s culture and history visit the Museo del Coleccionismo. This museum has a model of the old town along with other artefacts such as vintage toys, ceramics and cameras, while the Museum of History and Archaeology features sections dedicated to objects found at Banos de la Reina and the Medieval Town of Ifach.

Calpe is a quaint resort town but boasts picture-perfect stretches of sand and turquoise waters where water sport enthusiasts can enjoy a number of activities like snorkelling and windsurfing.

• La Fossa (Levante) Beach, is a beautiful Blue Flag beach with calm, crystal-clear waters, which makes it a favourite with families. This lively beach is backed by a promenade with hotels, restaurants and bars.
• Morello Beach is well-known for its ancient Roman ruins of Banos de la Reina, or thermal baths. It’s still possible to bathe amid these ancient ruins.
• Arenal Bol Beach is Calpe’s largest beach and comes complete with ivory-white sand and azure waters looking out to the Mediterranean. The beach is popular with families due to its close proximity to the maritimo promenade.
• Cantal Roig is a stone’s throw from Calpe’s fishing port and is a quiet stretch of sand popular with families for its calm waters. Don’t forget to try the catch of the day in the nearby seafood restaurants and explore the underwater path.
• Granadella Beach is backed by a belt of pines and native plants. The white boulders and pebbles along the crescent-shaped coastline complete the scenic picture.
• Raco Beach is set at the foot of the iconic Rock of Ifach and offers a small pocket of pebbles. This serene cove is popular for its snorkelling and scuba diving.

From family-friendly eateries to seaside restaurants, Calpe offers plenty of options for foodies eager to sample the local cuisine.

• Join a fish auction at Lonja de Calpe, a fishing port and seafood market that comes with a viewing gallery for visitors. The market is surrounded by seafood restaurants, so be sure to work up an appetite.
• La Vina de Calpe has been serving hungry hordes since first opening its doors in 1974. The restaurant’s offerings include Iberian pork cheeks, slow-cooked spiced lamb shank, as well as a range of seafood such as sea bass, monkfish, prawns, mussels and scallops.
• Dating back to 2007, La Falua pairs seaside views with Mediterranean and international dishes. Select from the restaurant’s huge range of paellas, or opt for a fish or meat dish.
• Pairing great food with quality wine, Puerto Blanco is a stylish pool-side restaurant near Calpe marina. Indulge in oysters, or the restaurant’s range of surf and turf dishes before making a selection from its dessert list.
• Housed in an 18th-century Spanish finca, Casa del Maco serves French dishes with a Mediterranean twist. Enjoy your meal in the restaurant or the picturesque garden terrace.

Blending Spanish fare and fresh seafood, Calpe’s dishes are both varied and delicious.

• A traditional Alicante dish, Arroz a banda comes with rice cooked in fish stock, herbs and saffron. The dish is typically served with poached fish and aioli.
• The best paella is made with rice grown in Costa Blanca and Valencia. As such, it’s little surprise that the dish features on many of Calpe’s menus. Try paella mixta, which comes with fish, shellfish, meat and veggies.
• The delicate flavour of Denia prawns is unforgettable. Fried, grilled or boiled, they are best eaten as a tapas, due to the hefty price tag.
• Fancy a sweet treat? Bunuelos are fried sweet or savoury dough balls. The sweet variety is often dunked in hot chocolate.
• A dish best sampled as tapas, salazones are salted fish and seafood. The dish often consists of cod, tuna, anchovies and octopus.

Calpe’s family-friendly attractions and activities are just one of the reasons why this coastal town is a hit with adults and children.

• Hop onboard Tren Turistico Calpe, a miniature hop-on/hop-off train. The train’s four-mile circular trail takes in the town’s most important sights.
• Watch as your kids test their swing at the Brevis mini golf park. The area also features a playground with trampolines, a bouncy castle and inflatable slides.
• Cool down with an ice cream at Helados Coloma. The venue has one of the widest selections of ice cream, sorbet and milkshake flavours in Calpe.
• Admire Calpe’s sweeping countryside from the back of a horse at Club Hipico Calpe. The equestrian club offers gentle paddock strolls as well as trots through more rugged landscapes.
• Around a 25-minute drive from Calpe, Aqualandia in Benidorm is a great place for splashing family fun. One of the park’s attractions is the highest capsule slide in the world.

The charming local town and scenic beaches makes Calpe the ideal romantic seaside destination for couples.

• For gorgeous views of the coastline and the Rock of Ifach, take a sunset stroll down Paseo Ecologico Príncipe de Asturias. The promenade is lined with restaurants, cafes and bars.
• For a sweet interlude, tour the Valor Chocolate Factory in Benidorm. Dating back to 1881, the factory features a museum about the history of chocolate-making.
• Pair romance with stunning seaside views and top quality fare at the Oceana Club at the Basetes Marina. The restaurant’s menu features home-made tapas, hot and cold starters, traditional paellas, fresh fish and a range of cocktails.
• Feel the romance in the air at the Monte Toix, a viewpoint with magnificent panoramas of the Rock of Ifach and the bay.
• Take the time to relax during your stay in Calpe. Adults-only hotels like Gran Hotel Sol y Mar have steam, saunas and a jacuzzi that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and rested.