Things to Do in Calpe

Geschreven door Michiel

Discover Calpe on a day trip from Moraira

Just along the coast from Moraira lies Calpe, officially Calp in Valencian. The town has a very different character from Moraira. It is larger and livelier, with long sandy beaches, seafront promenades and high-rise buildings, but it also has an attractive historic centre, a traditional fishing port, Roman remains and one of the most recognisable natural landmarks on the entire Costa Blanca: the Peñón de Ifach. From Moraira, Calpe is close enough for an easy morning, afternoon or full-day trip. Here are some of our favourite things to see and do in Calpe.

Last updated: September 2026

See or climb the Peñón de Ifach
You cannot really talk about Calpe without mentioning the Peñón de Ifach. The limestone rock rises 332 metres above the Mediterranean and is one of the best-known landmarks on the Costa Blanca. It became a protected natural park in 1987.
You can admire it from almost anywhere in Calpe, but if you enjoy walking, it is also possible to climb towards the summit.
The official route takes approximately 2½ hours and consists of two very different sections. The first part follows a relatively regular path to a tunnel through the rock. Beyond the tunnel, the trail becomes narrower, steeper and considerably more demanding. On clear days, the views from the higher sections stretch far along the Mediterranean coastline.

Important: reserve before you go
Access to the walking route currently requires advance reservation. Calpe Tourist Information explicitly advises visitors to book before starting the route. If you are travelling in summer, we would also recommend starting early. The combination of steep terrain and midday heat should not be underestimated.
👉🏻 Walking and hiking around Moraira

Enjoy Calpe’s two main sandy beaches
Calpe has two large urban sandy beaches on either side of the Peñón de Ifach.

Playa de la Fossa
La Fossa, also known as Playa de Levante, lies on the northern side of the rock. It has fine golden sand and a long seafront promenade lined with restaurants, cafés, ice-cream shops and stores. Calpe’s tourist office describes it as a calm, family-friendly urban beach.
The view towards the Peñón from this side is particularly impressive.

Arenal-Bol
On the other side lies Arenal-Bol, another long sandy beach stretching towards the town centre. This is a good choice if you want to combine a few hours at the beach with lunch, shopping or a walk through the old town.
Calpe actually has around 13 kilometres of coastline and 14 beaches and coves, ranging from large sandy beaches to small rocky inlets.

Explore Calpe’s Old Town
Away from the modern seafront, Calpe has a much older side. The historic centre developed behind defensive walls and still contains narrow streets, colourful stairways, small squares and remnants of the town’s former fortifications. Look out for places such as:

Torreó de la Peça
the remains of the old town walls
Iglesia Antigua
Forat de la Mar
the traditional streets of the old Arrabal

Calpe Tourist Information highlights these as some of the principal historic features of the old centre. We particularly like this part of Calpe towards the end of the afternoon, when you can walk through the old streets and stay for dinner afterwards.

Visit the fishing port
At the foot of the Peñón lies Calpe’s fishing port. Although Calpe is now a major holiday destination, fishing remains part of its identity. The harbour is a pleasant place to walk, watch fishing boats and enjoy lunch or dinner close to the sea.
Calpe is especially associated with seafood, rice dishes and its local fishing tradition. The combination of the port, Peñón and nearby beaches makes this one of the town’s most distinctive areas. If you enjoy fish and seafood, this is a good part of town to explore around lunchtime.

Discover the Baños de la Reina
Between Calpe town and the port lies one of the area’s most interesting archaeological sites: Baños de la Reina, or the Queen’s Baths. Despite the romantic name, these were not simply royal bathing pools.
The site formed part of an important Roman coastal settlement around 2,000 years ago, including villas, thermal baths and rock-cut pools connected with the storage of live fish. Only part of the archaeological site has been excavated. The remains are particularly interesting because they sit directly beside the Mediterranean, with the Peñón de Ifach in the background.
Guided access arrangements change throughout the year, so check current information before visiting.

See the flamingos at Las Salinas
Almost in the middle of modern Calpe lies something rather unexpected: Las Salinas de Calpe. This saltwater lagoon has played an important role in Calpe’s history. Salt was once essential for preserving the fish landed by the town’s fishing fleet. Today, the salt flats are an important wetland and are known for their birdlife. Most eye-catching of all are the flamingos, which can regularly be seen feeding in the shallow water. There is also an accessible trail for birdwatching. It is an easy stop to combine with the port or Peñón de Ifach.

Discover Ricardo Bofill’s architecture
Calpe contains some internationally recognised architecture that looks completely different from the traditional old town. Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill designed several striking buildings in the La Manzanera area. The most famous is undoubtedly La Muralla Roja, completed in 1972.
Its geometric stairways, courtyards and intense red, pink and blue surfaces were inspired partly by the tradition of Mediterranean kasbah architecture. Nearby you will also find Xanadú and El Anfiteatro. These are residential buildings, so they should generally be admired respectfully from public areas rather than treated as open tourist attractions. Calpe periodically organises official guided architectural walks around the Bofill buildings. For anyone interested in design or photography, this is one of Calpe’s more unusual attractions.
👉🏻 More about Ricardo Bofill

Cycle into the mountains behind Calpe
Calpe has become one of the best-known cycling bases on the Costa Blanca. The coastal town is surrounded by mountain roads that provide everything from gentle rides to serious climbs. Professional teams regularly train in this part of the Costa Blanca, particularly outside the hottest summer months. From Calpe, cyclists can head inland towards places such as: Benissa, Xaló, Coll de Rates and the Vall de Pop.
For recreational visitors, an e-bike makes the hills considerably easier. If you prefer to stay closer to Moraira, there are also attractive routes between Moraira, Benissa Costa and Calpe.
👉🏻 Cycling in Moraira and the Costa Blanca

Enjoy Calpe’s restaurants and evening atmosphere
Calpe offers a much larger restaurant scene than you might expect from a coastal town of its size. You will find everything from simple tapas and seafood restaurants to contemporary fine dining. The current MICHELIN Guide includes several Calpe restaurants in its selection, including Orobianco, Audrey’s, Beat by José Manuel Miguel and Komfort. That makes Calpe an interesting option for an evening out even if you are staying in Moraira.
During summer, the promenades and old centre become particularly lively after sunset. Seasonal markets and events are also organised throughout the year, but exact dates and locations can change, so we recommend checking Calpe’s current events calendar rather than relying on fixed annual dates.

Combine Calpe with the coastline towards Moraira

One of the nicest ways to travel between Moraira and Calpe is along the coastal area rather than simply treating the two towns as separate destinations. Between them lies Benissa Costa, with smaller coves such as Baladrar, Advocat and Les Bassetes. You could easily spend the morning in Calpe, stop at one of the coves on the way back and finish the day with dinner in Moraira. That combination shows nicely why this part of the Costa Blanca is so varied.

Is Calpe worth visiting from Moraira?

Yes. Calpe and Moraira are close together, but they offer very different experiences. Moraira is smaller and more intimate, while Calpe is larger, busier and more urban, with long promenades, broad sandy beaches and the dramatic Peñón de Ifach. For a first visit, we would choose: Peñón de Ifach · fishing port · lunch · Las Salinas · Old Town

If you have more time, add Baños de la Reina or the Bofill architecture at La Manzanera. From Moraira, Calpe is only a short drive away, making it one of the easiest day trips during your holiday.

More day trips from Moraira

If you enjoy exploring the Costa Blanca, Calpe is only one of many places worth visiting.

Staying in Moraira?

Moraira Holiday Homes has specialised in holiday accommodation in Moraira and nearby Benissa Costa since 2004. Our collection includes private villas with swimming pools and sea views, as well as apartments and penthouses in the centre of Moraira. Because we live locally, we know not only our holiday homes but also the surrounding area.
So if you would like to spend your holiday in Moraira while using it as a base to explore Calpe and the rest of the northern Costa Blanca, we are happy to help you choose the right accommodation.
👉🏻 Explore our holiday homes in Moraira

Frequently Asked Questions about Calpe

What are the best things to do in Calpe?
Highlights include the Peñón de Ifach, Calpe Old Town, La Fossa and Arenal-Bol beaches, the fishing port, Baños de la Reina, Las Salinas and the Ricardo Bofill buildings at La Manzanera.

Is Calpe worth visiting?
Yes. Calpe combines long sandy beaches, an historic centre, Roman archaeology, a traditional fishing port and the spectacular Peñón de Ifach. It is also very easy to visit from Moraira.

Can you climb the Peñón de Ifach?
Yes, but the upper part of the route is steep and demanding. The complete route takes approximately 2½ hours and advance reservation is currently required.

Do you need to book the Peñón de Ifach?
Yes. Calpe Tourist Information currently states that a reservation is required before undertaking the Peñón de Ifach walking route.

What are the best beaches in Calpe?
Arenal-Bol and La Fossa are Calpe’s two best-known large sandy beaches. Calpe also has numerous smaller coves, including El Racó, Les Bassetes and Cala del Morelló.

Does Calpe have an Old Town?
Yes. Calpe has an historic centre with narrow streets, old defensive walls, Torreó de la Peça and several traditional buildings and squares.

Where can you see flamingos in Calpe?
Flamingos can regularly be seen at Las Salinas de Calpe, the saltwater lagoon close to the Peñón de Ifach.

What are the Baños de la Reina?
Baños de la Reina is an archaeological site beside the sea containing remains of a Roman settlement, thermal facilities and rock-cut pools associated with fish storage.

Is Calpe good for families?
Yes. The large sandy beaches, promenades, restaurants and easy-to-reach attractions make Calpe suitable for families. La Fossa is officially described as a family-friendly urban beach.

Can you visit Calpe from Moraira?
Absolutely. Calpe is one of the closest major day-trip destinations to Moraira and can easily be visited for a morning, afternoon or full day.