CALPE, COSTA BLANCA: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE COMING
Calpe is located in the Marina Alta area of the Costa Blanca a little north of Benidorm and Altea and is a wonderful place to spend time with the children and family, we have spent so many memorable times there it’s like a home from home for us.
Like most towns on the Spanish costas it has changed beyond recognition over the last 50 years or so: –
The Peñon de Ifach is the adopted symbol of the Costa Blanca and towers over the town and fishing port.
And the same in 1963
Come and see for yourself the amazing views from the towering Penon de Ifach, bathe in the clear, turquoise sea and relax on the white sand beaches.
Whatever it is you need to pamper yourself it’s here in Calpe, waiting for you.
Calpe was just a small fishing village but has now been transformed into a major destination tourist resort with all the facilities, sea, mountains, old town etc.
Check out the Town Hall official Calpe Webcams here: – https://www.calp.es/es/content/webcams
In this post we will explore things to do, places to visit and eat, hotels, rental apartments/villas and the property buying opportunities.
CALPE, WHERE IS IT AND WHATS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Calpe is a small town located on the Mediterranean East coast of Spain in the Marina Alta, Alicante province. Nestled between Altea to the South and Benissa to the North it is renowned for providing wonderful family holidays.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that Calpe has “one of the best climates in the world”.
So what’s the weather like in Calpe in March and April?
Ave daily temp Mar 16ºC, sea temp 16ºC and 9 hrs sunshine Ave daily temp Oct 22ºC, sea temp 25ºC and 9 hrs sunshine More details here: - https://www.holiday-weather.com/calpe/averages
HOLIDAYS IN CALP, APARTMENT, VILLA, HOTEL or CAMPING?
If you want to be pampered on your holiday then probably a hotel is the best solution however if you prefer more privacy and independence and want a “home from home” then renting an apartment or villa with a private pool is the best choice – whichever, Calpe has it all in abundance.
TOP HOTELS
- Gran Hotel Sol y Mar – an adults only hotel catering to the discerning client, superbly located in the centre of town, with it’s own private beach club and virtually on the beach
- Diamante Beach Hotel – located at the Northern end of Playa de la Fossa this hotel is superb ad boasts a Michelin starred restaurant called Audrey’s
- SH Ifach – nestling below the famous Penon the SH has both a large outdoor pool and a heated indoor pool
- Hotel Bahia Calpe – run by Pierre et Vacances and located just 1 minute from the town centre with direct access to the beach this 4 star hotel has a great spa and a pool overlooking the adjacent Med
Hotel Porto Calpe – a simple 3 star hotel in a great location overlooking the puerto and Peñon de Ifach, outdoor pool and just a 3 minute walk from the beach – great value
APARTMENTS AND VILLAS
If your preference is for a more independent and private approach then probably renting a villa or apartment is the answer.
This allows you more space, more privacy, your own kitchen etc to prepare your own meals and probably a private pool.
Calpe’s supermarkets cater for both local and international tastes so, whilst enjoying great fresh fish and local specialities you will not miss those favourites that you and the family are used to at home.
Try Mercadona and My Mercat supermarkets for great quality and variety.
There are literally hundreds of rental portals advertising thousands of properties for rent and to list them all would be ridiculous however, in addition to the major internationals like, trip advisor, booking.com, airbnb etc. below is a brief selection of both properties for rental and more local rental agencies: –
Imperial Park Calpe
Esmeralda apartments
Holidu.es
Think Spain
Calpe Holiday Lettings.com
Owner Direct.com
CAMPING
There are a number of excellent camping and caravanning sites in Calpe.
Try these for a starter. They all cater for tents, caravans and have cabañas for rent: –
- Camping Calpemar https://www.campingcalpemar.com/en/
- Camping La Merced http://www.lamerced.eu/
- Camping Sol de Calpe Austral https://www.campingsoldecalpe.com/
Whichever option you choose, hotel or self catering, one thing is certain, you’ll have a wonderful time in Calpe.
THINGS TO DO IN CALPE
WALKING
Walk up the Penon de Ifach via the national park or try another local mountain (there are plenty). The Penon rises 332 m above the adjacent sea level and takes about 1.5 hours to climb to the top but once there the reward from the views are stunning. You can get down in about half the time!
Walk to Les Bassetes (small sailing, water sports and diving harbour) in the adjacent municipality of Benissa. It’s a very pleasant walk both via the promenade and along the cliffs overlooking the sea – in fact you can also do the walk in the sea at the bottom of the cliffs on a calm day. Walk takes from 30 minutes depending on your pace.
WATER-SPORTS AND DIVING
– ⛵ sailing, 🚣 kayaking, snorkelling, fishing, scuba courses, 🏄 surfing, windsurfing, stand up paddling, jetski hire, and more.
Les Bassetes Dive Centre
Las Antipodas Water Sports Centre
Infinity Sea Rental Calpe
Dive Dive Company at the Club Nautico
BEACHES
There are 2 principle beaches in Calp, Levante and Poniente. These refer respectively to the sun coming up and the sun setting but are also called Playa de la Fossa and Playa Arenal-Bol (I think that’s just to confuse us, the non locals).
In addition to these there are a number of small, secluded calas (coves) such as La Caleta, Mallorqui, Calalga and Cantal Roig.
Cala Mallorqui, Calpe
HIKING, CLIMBING, TREKKING AND TRAIL RUNNING
With so many mountains extending down directly into the sea in parts it comes as no surprise to find Calpe is a great place to undertake either a leisurely hike or a serious climbing expedition for experts only.
Guided climbing the Peñon de Ifach
Please follow this link for further information: – https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/destinations/costa_blanca-2529
CYCLING
A number of top international cycling clubs are based in Calp and many of the top teams in the world come for training.
It is also a Mecca for more leisurely cycling holidays – a number of cycling organisations organise well-run holidays here and in the surroundings.
Eat sleep cycle https://www.eatsleepcycle.com/spain/calpe-classic-climbs/
Epic road rides https://www.epicroadrides.com
Vuelta turistica https://www.vuelta-turistica.com/en/
Yellow jersey https://www.yellowjersey.co.uk/the-draft/cycling-in-calpe/
Baguet bicycle centre https://www.fietsstages-baguet.be/en/
Is bike hire available in Calpe? 🚲 Yes it is and there are a number of companies that will rent you a bike as follows” –
OLD TOWN VISIT
Bars restaurants and summer markets – the old town in Calpe exists where it is because in the old days all the coastal towns and populated areas were threatened by pirates so they built fortified enclosures away from the coast and, if possible, in an elevated location and this is true with Calpe old town.
Aside from the beautiful churches and the museum to be found in a part of the original 15th century walled city, you can follow the signs of the tourist route through the cobbled streets which are always decked out with beautiful flower arrangements.
Each Sunday in summer there is usually an artisan’s craft market selling tasty delicacies, handicrafts and hand made jewellery etc.but check locally because of changes due to the Covid19 pandemic.
And once you‘ve finished exploring and buying, stop for a refreshing drink 🍻 and a well-earned tapa in one of the numerous bars and hostelries.
TRY THESE FOR A STARTER
Pub la Fregata El Posit Bar Espana
MOROS y CRISTIANOS FIESTA
Whatever time of the year the Spanish always find a reason to hold a fiesta (party) and even in a small town like Calpe there are too many to mention in this blog but we’ll do another blog at a later date with more information.
Moors and Christians, photo costablanca.org Virgen de las nieves, photo costablanca.org
But to name a few of the biggest and best: - Three Kings on 12th night (Reyes Magos) Virgen del Carmen at the Puerto Moors and Christians Oktoberfest - Calpe Beer Festival
RESTAURANTS
Diverse, gourmet, family, seafood, haute cuisine, simple, fresh, Mediterranean, BBQ, International: – all these words describe the wonderful, varied offering of restaurants in Calpe.
Living in Calpe full time are more than 115 different nationalities, all bringing their own likes and cultures to a huge melting pot so we have Indian, Thai, Italian, Spanish, German, Argentinian, Chinese, Greek, Belgian, Swiss, American, Australian, French, English (non Indian), Irish, Turkish and YES, even Spanish restaurants.
Below are some of our favourites: –
Andaluz - in the town centre for Spanish tapas and full meals La Terrassa - playa de la Fossa for fresh seafood, fish and great daily menus El Cantonet - near the Puerto for just really great food and paellas El Capri - a classic adjacent to the promenade of the Arenal-Bol beach Mono Thai - town centre, really excellent Thai food and good service Star Kebab - town centre, a favourite for simple take away or eat in Baydal - in the puerto and getting fish and seafood straight off the fishing boats Grizzly’s - American style sports bar and grill on the road to Moraira Punjabi curry - in our opinion the best Indian in Calpe and very friendly staff El Posit - a beautiful small restaurant in the Calpe Old Town Pizzeria Mama Nostra - one of the best pizza’s in Calpe Arte Ristorante - modern Italian with a nice twist
There are also 3 Michelin starred restaurants in Calpe: –
Audrey’s in the Diamante Beach Hotel
Beat in the Cookbook Boutique Hotel
Orobianco perched above the town in Colina del Sol
And the best bars: –
Sky Bar at Suitopia Hotel – a rooftop bar on the 29th floor with wonderful views and sunsets
Algass Beach Bar – Puerto de Calpe
Mojito Cafe – in town, the name says it all
PROPERTY FOR SALE IN CALPE: VILLAS AND APARTMENTS FOR SALE IN CALPE
So you finished your Calpe Holiday and liked it – thinking of buying a villa or apartment in Calpe then read on.
There are literally hundreds of portals dealing with ‘000’s of property sales in Calpe and in Calpe itself over 100 estate agents so trying to wade your way through all of those is extremely difficult, especially when you have to make allowances for “Estate Agent Lingo and Infoxication”.
That’s where we come in: –
At Search and Survey Spain we are not estate agents and have no allegiance to any estate agencies. Our only interest is finding the right property for you, that the property is legal, well built, value for money and free of any external charges or liens. If you like we can help you make the right selection to suit your requirements?
This is our speciality and something we’ve been doing for the last 40 or so years.
Click the link here to visit our website and see what you think? We are happy to give you a call if you want to find out more about us.
http://www.searchandsurveyspain.com/contact