Calpe, Costa Blanca, Spain
Villa and Apartment Holidays
Calpe, in Alicante province on the Costa Blanca, lying between Altea and Moraira, is famous for the impressive Rock of Ifach, an unmistakable sight on the Costa Blanca. Calpe has a long and fascinating history, and today is one of the Costa Blanca's leading tourist resorts with many rental villas and apartments.
Calpe has fine, sandy, sun-kissed beaches with wonderful promenades lined with bars and restaurants. The beaches, great night-life and its pretty old-town with streets lined with flowers and murals make Calpe the perfect family holiday destination on Spain's Costa Blanca. See our selection of privately owned apartments and villas in the area further down this page.
Calpe set on the Costa Blanca between Altea and Moraira has many surprising contrasts - modern buildings and wide avenues alongside the ancient fishing village with narrow cobbled streets. The locals are proud of their history, and yet welcome visitors with warm-hearted hospitality. And the Calpe climate is one of the mildest on the Costa Blanca due to protection afforded by the nearby mountains. And the area has much history and culture.
The town's strategic position has attracted voyagers and settlers throughout the centuries, and remains of Iberian tribes have been discovered around the base of the Rock of Ifach. Later, the Romans founded a prosperous colony in the area, producing dried, salted fish. The recently discovered Roman remains near the beach once formed part of a large villa used to process the fish, and are known as the Queen's Bath.
During the Middle Ages, Christians and Moors lived peacefully together in Calpe for a time, but for 300 years they were continually attacked by pirates until the seventeenth century.
A period of redevelopment followed during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, laying the foundations for its current prosperity as a major tourist resort on the Costa Blanca.
In the old town centre is the ancient Arrabal Moorish quarter, framed by narrow, steep streets with small white-washed houses, decorated with floral arrangements and with stones embedded in the pavements creating characteristic motifs. Here are the Torreo de la Peca, the town walls and the old church, Iglesia Vieja, the only surviving example of Mudejar-Gothic architecture in the Valencian province of Spain.
Built in the 15th century, the old church had been rebuilt many times following numerous attacks by pirates. Close to the Iglesia Vieja is the parish church of Nuestra Senora de las Nieve, with beautiful stained glass and mosaic murals.
The old town has museums, picturesque streets and squares and many bars and restaurants, many with lively terraces. The archaeological museum, opposite at the Plaza de la Villa, has many artefacts dating from the third century to today. Alongside the museum are interesting Roman ruins, and the remains of an old tower, the Torreo de la Peca, which defended the Christian town from the 15th century onwards.
About 60 years ago, the shield of Calpe sculptured on a rough rectangular stone was discovered in the ground below the front wall of the tower, and is now preserved in the museum of Alicante. Next to the tower are two of the original four Swedish-made cannons from the Port, which date from the 18th century. To either side of the Torreo de la Peca are murals by Pierre Le Fleur, decorating the facades of the old town.
The Festival Museum in Calle Jose Antoni displays many costumes from the town's various festivals, especially the Moors and Christians "Favoritas" and "First Ladies". This festival takes place in October in honour of Santismo Cristo del Sudor who is reputed to have helped protect the town from the Moors. Two battles are re-enacted on the beaches and there are musical acts, fireworks, food and drink for all.
The museum also houses costumes used during the Patron Saint festivities on the 5th August honouring the Virgin de las Nieves, and the Feast of Saint Joseph on the 19th March. At this festival large wooden statues are burnt at midnight to celebrate the arrival of Spring. There is a procession through the streets of the old town, a giant paella, sardines and sangria for everyone, and a firework display.
The large and fascinating fishing harbour and modern marina are famous for their steady wind conditions. From here there are boat rides around the rock and to nearby Benidorm. The port has a nautical club and facilities for yachting, windsurfing and water skiing.
The two main beaches, the Cantal Roig and the Playa Arenal are famous for their fine sand. Together with the other beaches, La Fossa and the bay of Gasparet, the town has many kilometres of excellent beaches which are ideal for swimming and surfing.
Calpe extends along the gently curving bay whose northern edge is marked by the impressive Rock of Ifach, an unmistakable sight on the Costa Blanca. The rock dominates the town, and is now a nature reserve and home for a variety of rare plants. This immense rock, towering to 332 metres, juts into the sea to the Punto de Carallot. The summit, with its magnificent panoramic views, can be reached by means of a tunnel through the rock. On a clear day, the island of Ibiza is visible.
The Rock of Ifach divides the coast into two wide, very sheltered bays, with safe swimming and a wide range of leisure activities. The Rock has been inspiring visitors for centuries to enjoy the stunning views of the bays and the Costa Blanca.
The town's long and clean promenade is lined with bars and restaurants of all descriptions. The sea is clear and clean with golden sandy Blue Flag beaches which are safe for children, making it an ideal family resort.
Alicante airport is only 40 minutes away, and within a short drive the excellent motorway provides easy connection to nearby towns and the rest of Spain.
