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.

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

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: –

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is bike hire available in Calpe?  🚲 Yes it is and there are a number of companies that will rent you a bike as follows” –

• https://bikesbooking.com/en/rent-a-bicycle-in-Calpe/ 

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.

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: –

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