Last updated: September 2026
Calpe holidays offer one of the Costa Blanca’s most dramatic and distinctive settings. The ancient fishing town shelters beneath the Penon de Ifach — a 332-metre limestone rock that rises sheer from the sea to dominate the coastline between Altea and Moraira.
Two excellent sandy beaches, a well-preserved medieval old town, a working harbour still active with fishing boats and the extraordinary natural monument of the Penon combine to make Calpe holidays a genuinely complete Costa Blanca experience. The town has retained far more authentic Spanish character than most of its neighbours.
The Penon de Ifach is the defining image of the northern Costa Blanca and the centrepiece of every Calpe holiday. This sheer limestone outcrop, connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, forms a protected nature reserve home to rare plant species and large seabird colonies including yellow-legged gulls, shags and Audouin’s gulls.
The summit walk is one of the great hikes of the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast. Approximately 3 km return with sections that climb through a tunnel cut directly through the rock, it provides extraordinary panoramic views along the entire Costa Blanca — from Benidorm and Serra Gelada to the south to Moraira and the Cape of Sant Antoni to the north. On exceptionally clear days the island of Ibiza is visible.
The walk is achievable for fit adults and older children — allow 2.5 to 3 hours for the return trip. Numbers are limited to protect the nature reserve, so arriving early in the morning is advisable in peak season. Sturdy footwear and water are essential. Entry to the nature reserve is free.
Even without climbing the Penon, it dominates every view in Calpe and creates the most distinctive backdrop of any Costa Blanca resort. At sunset, when the limestone turns golden and the rock is reflected in the calm water of the harbour, it is one of the most photographed scenes in Spain.
Calpe holidays offer a choice of two excellent sandy beaches, both within easy walking distance of the town centre.
Playa Arenal-Bol is the main beach — a wide, long stretch of fine golden sand curving around the bay immediately south of the Penon. The beach is well-equipped with sunbeds, parasols, beach bars and water sports facilities, and the dramatic backdrop of the Penon makes it one of the most visually striking beaches on the Costa Blanca.
Playa la Fossa (also known as Calalga) is the northern beach — slightly smaller but equally attractive, with calmer water and a quieter atmosphere. It is popular with families for its gentle shelving seabed and is within walking distance of the old town.
Both beaches have clean, clear Mediterranean water. The Penon’s rocky isthmus creates interesting snorkelling around its base, with clear water and a variety of marine life including sea bream, mullet and occasional octopus.
Calpe’s old town (casco antiguo) sits on a low hill above the harbour and retains much of its original character — narrow streets of whitewashed houses, the ruins of a 14th-century castle (Las Torres), old city walls and the Church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves. It is one of the most genuinely historic old towns on the northern Costa Blanca.
The La Mata Salt Lake (Salinas de Calpe) is a protected natural lagoon immediately adjacent to the resort, where flamingos and other wading birds can be observed year-round. The lake is particularly impressive in spring and autumn when migrating birds stop to feed. A walking path circles the lake and provides excellent birdwatching.
The working fishing harbour at the northern end of the resort still lands fresh fish daily — the early morning fish market (lonja) at the harbour is one of the most authentic experiences on offer during Calpe holidays and a reminder that this is still a working Spanish town as well as a tourist destination.
The Penon de Ifach climb is the essential Calpe activity but the resort offers considerably more besides.
Birdwatching at the La Mata Salt Lake is excellent year-round. Flamingos are resident, joined by herons, egrets, stilts and sandpipers. The autumn migration season brings a wider variety of species. Binoculars are recommended and the lake walk takes around 45 minutes.
Boat trips depart from the harbour during summer, including glass-bottomed boat excursions over the marine reserve around the Penon. The underwater visibility in this protected area is exceptional and the trips are popular with families during Calpe holidays.
The TRAM coastal railway connects Calpe to Altea (25 minutes), Benidorm (35 minutes) and Alicante (90 minutes), making day trips along the coast straightforward during Calpe holidays without a car.
Moraira — one of the most upmarket small resorts on the Costa Blanca, with excellent restaurants, a small castle and good beaches — is 14 km north of Calpe and an excellent half-day excursion.
Guadalest mountain village is 25 km inland and accessible by bus or excursion from Calpe. The rock-top village, castle ruins and reservoir views are extraordinary and the drive through the orange-grove valleys is itself memorable.
Calpe has a well-above-average restaurant scene for a Costa Blanca resort of its size. The proximity of the fishing harbour means fresh fish and seafood are genuinely fresh and well-priced.
The harbour-side restaurants specialise in gambas rojas (the prized red prawns from Denia, just 30 km north), arroz a banda, fideuà and grilled fish from the morning’s catch. These are among the best seafood restaurants on the northern Costa Blanca and a highlight of Calpe holidays for food-focused visitors.
The old town has a concentration of tapas bars and Spanish restaurants at lower prices than the beachfront. The town market runs on Thursdays and Saturdays with local produce and crafts.
Calpe holidays begin at Alicante Airport (ALC), approximately 80 km south. Road transfer takes around 60-75 minutes. Direct flights from UK airports operate year-round with Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair and TUI.
The TRAM coastal railway connects Calpe to Altea (25 minutes), Benidorm (35 minutes), Albir (30 minutes) and Alicante (90 minutes). Calpe station is in the lower town, a short walk from the beaches.
By road, Calpe is on the N-332 coastal road north of Benidorm. The AP-7 motorway has an exit at Altea which reduces the journey from Alicante to around 55 minutes. Parking is available at both beaches.
Calpe enjoys the Costa Blanca’s outstanding climate — typically 320 days of sunshine per year. The Penon de Ifach walk is best attempted in spring or autumn when temperatures are cooler (the summer midday heat makes the exposed upper section genuinely uncomfortable).
For beach holidays, June through September offer the warmest weather and sea temperatures. The resort is busiest in August. May, June, September and October are ideal for combining good beach weather with comfortable conditions for the Penon walk and other activities.
Winter Calpe holidays are quiet and peaceful. The flamingos on the salt lake are present year-round and the mild climate makes the town pleasant for walking and exploring at any time of year.
| Region | Costa Blanca, Valencia, Spain |
|---|---|
| Nearest Airport | Alicante (ALC) — 80 km, ~70 min |
| Beaches | Arenal-Bol and La Fossa — both sandy |
| Best For | Nature, walkers, families, food lovers |
| Best Time | May-June and September-October |
| Sun Days | ~320 per year |
| Don’t Miss | Penon de Ifach climb, harbour fish market |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| ATOL Protection | Available on UK package deals |
Search4Sun compares Calpe holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from regional airports across the UK. Whether you are looking for an apartment near the Penon, a seafront hotel on Arenal-Bol or a hillside villa with pool, we can help you compare packages and find the right option at the right price.
Always check your booking is protected by ABTA, holds ATOL certification or carries ABTOT cover — these schemes protect your money if an operator ceases trading before or during your holiday. For a plain-English guide to what each scheme covers, read our holiday protection guide.
For last-minute Calpe deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates. See also our Altea holidays and Costa Blanca holidays pages for more destinations nearby.
Calpe’s accommodation ranges from budget apartments in the town centre to upmarket villas with Penon de Ifach views on the hillsides above the resort. The town has a good spread of options for all budgets and party sizes, and the compact centre makes almost every property convenient for the beaches and old town.
Apartments and apartment hotels close to Playa Arenal-Bol are the most popular choice for Calpe holidays — they offer easy beach access and proximity to the seafront restaurants and promenade. Many properties have communal pools and terraces with views towards the Penon.
The northern end of the resort near Playa la Fossa is slightly quieter and well-suited to families with young children. Several apartment complexes here have spacious layouts and good pool facilities.
Villas with private pools on the Cap Blanc and La Canuta hillsides above Calpe are popular with larger groups and families booking independently. These properties offer exceptional views of the Penon and bay but require a car. UK tour operators including Jet2 Holidays and On the Beach feature Calpe in their Costa Blanca programmes, typically with apartments in the town centre or Arenal-Bol area.
The Penon de Ifach walk is moderately challenging — rated suitable for fit adults and older children (aged 10+) but not for young children, those with vertigo or people with mobility difficulties. The lower slopes are relatively straightforward but the upper section involves steep, rocky terrain and a section through a tunnel cut through the rock. The exposed summit areas require care in windy conditions. Total distance is around 3 km return with 332 metres of ascent. Start early to avoid both the heat and the limited daily visitor numbers in peak season.
Yes — greater flamingos are present at the La Mata Salt Lake (Salinas de Calpe) year-round, though numbers vary with the seasons. The lagoon is a protected natural area adjacent to the resort and one of the best places for flamingo-watching on the Costa Blanca. Spring and autumn migration seasons bring additional species. The lake walk is free, takes around 45 minutes and is one of the most unusual and memorable experiences available during Calpe holidays.
Calpe and Benidorm offer very different Costa Blanca holiday experiences. Benidorm is all-encompassing entertainment, enormous beaches and maximum resort infrastructure at the lowest prices. Calpe is smaller, more authentic in character, more Spanish in atmosphere and set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Penon de Ifach. Calpe holidays typically appeal to those who want good beaches combined with natural and historic interest; Benidorm suits those who prioritise entertainment choice and volume. Calpe is 35 minutes from Benidorm by TRAM, making day trips between the two easy.
Playa Arenal-Bol is the main Calpe beach — larger, better equipped with facilities and offering the iconic backdrop of the Penon de Ifach. Playa la Fossa (Calalga) to the north is smaller, slightly quieter and popular with families for its calmer, more sheltered water. Both are excellent and within easy walking distance of the town centre. The choice between them usually comes down to whether you want to be directly beneath the Penon (Arenal-Bol) or in a slightly more relaxed setting (la Fossa).
Calpe is more manageable without a car than many northern Costa Blanca resorts. The town is compact and most attractions — the two beaches, the Penon de Ifach, the old town, the salt lake and the harbour — are all within walking distance of the main accommodation areas. The TRAM coastal railway connects Calpe to Altea, Benidorm, Albir and Alicante for coastal day trips. Inland excursions to Guadalest and Moraira are more conveniently done with a car or via organised excursions. For Calpe holidays focused primarily on the beach, walking and the Penon, a car is not necessary. Those planning multiple inland day trips will find a hire car useful for one or two days during their stay.
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