Calpe Holidays

Q: How long does it take to fly to Calpe from the UK?

The closest airport to Calpe is Alicante. You can find a range of affordable flights to Alicante from the UK, with an average flight time of two and three-quarter hours. Once you arrive, you can board a direct shuttle bus to Calpe that takes just under an hour. Local buses also run to Calpe from the airport. If you’re in the mood for slow travel, you can even start your Calpe holiday with a boat trip from Alicante harbour.

Q: What’s the nightlife like in Calpe?

Calpe may be a tranquil place but there’s still lots to entertain you at any time of day. The annual Oktoberfest is a highlight, with beer-lovers arriving from all over the world to enjoy traditional German food and drink. Foodies will love the great variety of restaurants, from budget eats to fine dining, and shopping for fresh ingredients at the local markets. But the major attraction of a Calpe holiday is simply enjoying the Spanish lifestyle, strolling along the promenade or having a leisurely drink at one of the many bars in the old town.

Q: What are the beaches like near Calpe?

Calpe has thirteen beaches, ranging from popular and family-friendly to tiny and secluded. The main beaches are Playa de la Fossa, Playa del Cantal Roig and Playa Arenal-Bol. These long, sandy beaches have plenty of amenities, with a variety of restaurants and bars. Cala el Raco, Cala del Martello and Cala la Manzanera are small coves with beautiful scenery and an abundance of underwater life. Puerto Blanco is a jewel of a sandy beach just 100 metres long, while the secluded cove of Cala de Gasparet can only be accessed by boat. These are just the highlights.

Q: Who will enjoy Calpe?

Pretty much anyone – families, groups and couples (as well as a large expat community) are all drawn to Calpe’s wonderful beaches, laid-back restaurants and favourable climate.

Q: Does Calpe have an old town?

Calpe’s old town is rich in history and culture. The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, with the current walled city dating back to the eighteenth century. You'll enjoy exploring the archaeological museum and the Museo del Coleccionismo, and admiring murals by local artists. But perhaps the greatest joy of visiting the old town is simply wandering the cobbled streets and taking in the brightly painted houses with their flower-decked balconies. If you grow tired, there are several places to stop for a drink or a bite to eat.

Q: How far is Benidorm from Calpe?

Calpe has its own cluster of lively bars on the seafront, but if you fancy seeing what Benidorm has to offer, just hop on the ALSA bus, tram or boat.

Q: Can you climb Calpe rock?

Climbing the limestone rock of Penon de Ifach – Spain’s smallest national park – is a great experience. Avoid April to June when the north side is closed to protect nesting birds.

Q: Is Calpe family-friendly?

Calpe is a beautiful town with plenty to see and do – ideal for a family holiday. Young nature-lovers can watch the flamingos at Les Salines salt flats and spot different species of fish in the rock pools along the seafront. The pace of life in Calpe is more relaxed than the neighbouring Benidorm but that’s no bad thing whether you’re with family, friends or travelling solo. If you do want to explore what Benidorm has to offer, it’s just 30 minutes away by bus. You can also take the scenic route with a boat ride along the coast.

Q: When’s the best time to visit Calpe?

The special microclimate of the Costa Blanca means that a Calpe holiday is a good idea at any time of year. Summers are sunny and dry, with refreshing sea air and lack of humidity taking the edge off the heat. In August, the temperature can climb to 40°C, with the sea reaching 25°C. Spring and autumn are mild, pleasant and fresh. For keen swimmers, the Balearic Sea is comfortably warm from May to October.

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A classic slice of Spanish coast

With its pristine beaches, busy markets and relaxed pace of life, Calpe has everything you need to get you into a proper holiday mood. There’s no danger of getting bored – backstreet ambles around the old town lead to traditional hillside villas, cosy bistros, bijou shops and the atmospheric remains of archaeological sites left by Roman, Iberian and Arab settlers.

Calpe holidays include modern resorts with sweeping sea views that have sprung up along the coastline, but you can also wander along the harbour as the boats pull in for a charming glimpse into what this ancient fishing village was once like. But the real draw for holidaymakers is the wide sandy beaches, which spread out either side of the imposing Penon de Ifach rock. As well as aqua sports and kids’ play areas, there are plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs populating these gorgeous shores. Whether you’re travelling in a family, as a couple or in a group, holidays to Calpe deliver sun, sea, sand and more.

Visit the market
Find your way to the fish market and get your dinner sorted, or just watch the pros in action at the fish auction on the quay.
Take the easy way up
The easiest way to get a close-up view of this iconic rock is to take the tunnel straight to the summit. Drink in those sea views – and plenty of water – up top.
Flip for flamingos
Looking for a budget-friendly way to unwind? Forget pink flamingo cocktails. At Calpe’s salt flats, Las Salinas, you can see these migratory birds in their natural habitat.