What to do in Calpe: 12 ideas for your holiday

Calpe can be explored in a weekend, but it has so much more to offer. Here you'll find a 332-meter-high rock jutting out into the sea, Blue Flag beaches with fine sand, a lagoon teeming with flamingos, a fishing port with a daily auction, and a walled old town adorned with murals. This guide tells you what to do in Calpe, with practical information you should know before you go: what to book, which days to visit, and where.

1. Climb to the Peñón de Ifach

It's the iconic symbol of Calpe and its natural park. The route begins at the visitor center and has two sections: the first, up to the tunnel carved into the rock, is easy; the second, to the summit, is more demanding and requires good footwear. The reward is the best views of Calpe and its coastline.
Free reservation is required for each personYou can find it on the website of the Valencian Regional Government's Natural Parks. It opens 9 days in advance and has a daily limit of 300 people, so during peak season it's best to book as soon as it opens. Bring water: there are no water fountains along the route. Full details are in our guide to the Peñón de Ifach.

2. Beaches and coves for all tastes

In 2026 Calpe has five Blue FlagsArenal-Bol, La Fossa-Levante, Cantal Roig, Puerto Blanco and El Racó. The two large urban beaches, Arenal-Bol and The PitThey are made of fine sand, with a promenade and all services.
If you're looking for something different:

• Cala El Racó, in the port area, has an underwater trail adapted for snorkeling, with buoys and information panels about the local flora and fauna (in high season). The Princesa de Asturias ecological trail starts from here.
• Les Bassetes, a quiet cove next to the marina, good for diving and with an unusual view of the Rock.

We compare all the beaches and coves in our guide to Calpe beaches.

3. See flamingos in the salt flats

One of the surprises of Calpe is the salt flatsA lagoon where flamingos are often seen and 173 bird species have been recorded. An easily accessible path circles it in a semicircle. It's a short walk: bring binoculars if you have them.

4. The fishing port and the fish auction

The port remains the maritime heart of the town. From Monday to Friday, around 5:00 PMThe auction of fish brought in by the local fleet takes place at the fish market; it lasts about two hours walkway-viewpoint Inside, you can see the boxes moving along conveyor belts in front of the shoppers, and the price drops on the screen until someone presses a button. Tourist Info considers it the main example of the town's maritime traditions.

5. Get lost in the old town

The upper part of the village retains the layout of the walled town. Look for the Torreó de la Peça, the remains of the walls that protected Calpe from pirates; the Old Church, from the 15th century, in Gothic and Mudéjar style, which also served as a refuge, and the Forat de la MarFrom there, the fishermen would check the sea conditions before setting out. San Roque, Puchalt, and Pescadores streets are the most picturesque.
Also check out the murals: the mosaic by Gastón Castelló on the facade of the Tourist Office or the Moors and Christians mural by Elias Urbez. The City Council brings them together in the MAU, Museum of Urban ArtTourist Info organizes Free guided tours of the old town, with prior registration ([email protected] or at tourist offices) and departure from the House of Culture.

6. The Queen's Baths and the History Museum

Beside the sea are the Queen's BathsThese are pools carved into the rock that were Roman-era fish farms, with remains of thermal baths and a villa with mosaics. Popular legend transformed them into the baths of a "Moorish queen." The City Council offers free guided tours with prior registration by mail ([email protected]).
To complete the story, the Museum of History (Calle Santísimo Cristo, 7) houses artifacts from the Bronze Age and the Iberian period, and dedicates a special space to the Queen's Baths and the medieval town of Ifach. It is closed on Mondays, and depending on the season also on Tuesdays or Sundays.

7. The Red Wall and the buildings of Ricardo Bofill

Calpe is also an architecture destination thanks to the Red WallThe building, which architect Ricardo Bofill erected in 1972 on the cliff, is inspired by the Mediterranean kasbah, with passageways, courtyards, and staircases in shades of red, pink, and blue. It forms a complex with two other buildings by Bofill: Xanadu (1966-1968) and The Amphitheater (1983-1985).
They're houses, so you can only see them from the outside. The City Council is organizing it free guided tours of the exterior, with mandatory prior registration ([email protected] or 965 83 69 20) and departure from the House of Culture (Av. Masnou, 1).

8. Viewpoints: Morro de Toix and Sierra de Oltà

• Toix Viewpoint. The end of the Bernia mountain range overlooking the sea. From the parking area, near the Maryvilla residential development, it's about a 10-minute walk uphill. To the north, you can see all of Calpe, and to the south, Altea and Benidorm; on clear days, even Ibiza. The parking area is small: on busy days, park earlier.
• Sierra de Oltà. For those who want to walk: a marked circular route (PR-CV 340) of about 10 km and about 4 hours climbs to the summit, at 586 m, with views from Serra Gelada to Montgó.

9. Calpe from the sea

From the fishing port Boat trips depart around the bay and the area around the Rock; according to Tourist Info, some boats offer underwater viewing. Boats can also be rented during the season kayaks and paddle surf boardsAnd the coves of Racó and Les Bassetes are good for snorkeling when the sea is calm.

10. Eat like a Calpino

The local cuisine revolves around fish from the bay. Typical dishes include.. Calp's llauna and the arròs del senyoretAnd on many menus you'll also see octopus stew, black rice, or paella. Look for the distinctive sign «Peix de Calp»This guarantees that the fish has been landed and sold at the Calpe fish market. If you have children, check out our guide to Calpe with children You have more family plans.

11. The Saturday market

All the Saturdays from 8:00 to 14:00 There is a market: fruit and vegetables are sold in the parking lot of the old town (Carrer Petit), and clothes and accessories on Romania Avenue.

12. To coincide with a party

• Holy Week: processions through the old town; Good Friday, with the Holy Burial procession, is the big day.
• Our Lady of the Snows: August 5th, the patron saint's feast day, in the middle of summer.
• Moors and Christians: in October, around the 22nd, the anniversary of the pirate attack of 1744. Check the exact dates in the Tourist Info agenda.

When to come and how to get there

According to Tourist Info Calpe, there are approximately 3,180 hours of sunshine per year and an average temperature of 18°C. Rainfall is scarce throughout the year. Summer is for the beach; spring and autumn are ideal for visiting the Peñón de Ifach, Toix, and enjoying walks. If you'd like to stay for weeks or months off-season, check out our guide to [missing information - likely a specific destination or location] Calpe in winterCalpe is located between Alicante and Valencia airports: we explain all the options in How to get to Calpe.

Your apartment in Calpe with Clubrent

Clubrent manages more than 40 apartments Tourist attractions in Calpe, many near Arenal-Bol and La Fossa, so you have all these plans at your fingertips. If you're traveling with a baby, we have Cots and high chairs available upon requestChoose dates in holiday rental in Calpe And, before you arrive, check the guest information.
Reservations and questions: +34 656 61 92 93Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the must-sees in Calpe? The Peñón de Ifach (with reservation), the beaches of Arenal-Bol and La Fossa, the flamingos of the Salinas, the fish auction at the port, the old town and the Red Wall by Ricardo Bofill.
Do I need to book in advance to climb the Peñón de Ifach? Yes. Each person needs a free reservation on the Valencian Regional Government's Natural Parks website. Reservations open 9 days in advance and there is a limit of 300 people per day.
When is the fish auction in Calpe? From Monday to Friday, around 5:00 PM, at the fish market in the fishing port. It lasts about two hours and can be viewed from a walkway-viewpoint inside.
Is it possible to visit the Red Wall? It's a residential building, so you can only see it from the outside. The City Council organizes free guided tours of the exteriors of Bofill's buildings; prior registration is required [email protected] or on 965 83 69 20.
What day is the market in Calpe? On Saturdays, from 8:00 to 14:00: fruit and vegetables in the parking lot of the old town (carrer Petit), and clothing and accessories on Avenida de Rumanía.
Does Clubrent have tourist apartments in Calpe? Yes, we manage over 40 apartments in Calpe, many near Arenal-Bol and La Fossa, with cots and high chairs available upon request. Check them out at /vacaciones or call us on +34 656 61 92 93 (Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM).

Other guides: Calpe with children · Calpe beaches · Peñón de Ifach · Calpe in winter · How to get to Calpe · Holiday apartments