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The city of Calpe is a near perfect combination of romantic village together with sun and beach. In between Altea to the south and Javea to the north, Calpe with its about 13 000 habitants is known for its rock called the Penon de Ifach. This massive rock is a favourite for many rock climbers and has been inspiring people from everywhere to come and enjoy the nearly perfect view around the bays and the Costa Blanca.
Calpe offers many attractions ranging from historical Roman ruins through to water sports and exceptional markets. There are also many fiestas throughout the year with the most notable being the Moors and Christians festival in October.
The two main beaches around Calpe are of the highest standard and both have been awarded the blue flag by the F.E.E. (Foundation for Environmental Education.) The Paseo Maritimo runs along the edge of the beaches and is lined with a variety of bars and restaurants |
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Penon de lfach
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Calpe's most distinguishing feature is the Penon de Ifach, a towering 332m high rock jutting out into the sea where the town's Levante and El Arenal beaches meet at right angles. The rock has been turned into a nature park sheltering a variety of plants and many species of birds including the peregrine falcon. The summit can be reached via a pathway and a tunnel.
The rock base forms one side of the port from where the fishing boats leave at five each morning, a rewarding sight for anyone prepared to get up early. They appear to be gathering for a race then, all of a sudden they're off, jostling for position to leave the harbour. Within a few minutes there's only a string of lights bobbing off into the dark distance. At five in the afternoon you can watch the boats off-loading the day's catch. The fish are immediately auctioned at the harbour Fish Market and can be bought in smaller quantities from a shop there.
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Markets in Calpe |
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Fish Market |
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| The fish market in Calpe has a specially constructed viewing gallery so that you can watch the daily fish auctions in which the local fishermen sell their catch of the day. The Calpe fish market is famous throughout Spain and only fish sold here can bare the "Peix de Calp" symbol
that guarantees
the quality of the fish. |
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Street Market |
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Every Saturday Calpe holds host to a large street market, There is a large variety of items on offer at this market from fresh fruits and vegetables through to leather goods and trainers. During the summer months this market lasts well into the night giving you every chance of leaving with some great
bargains. An important thing to remember at these markets is that bartering is expected; never take the first price you are
offered
for any products. |
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Flea Market |
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The Flea Market in Calpe is held every Wednesday in the old town, much like the street market you will find a
whole host of goods available with many local craftsmen displaying their wares. Both the street market and the flea market are
excellent places to haggle over the price of items.
Beware of pickpockets at these
markets, as
professional pickpockets are known to be at work targeting tourists. |
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Historical Sites |
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Roman Ruins |
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Another
fascinating
aspect of Calpe is its historical
heritage;
many different races of people have lived here leaving behind them a large variety of different buildings and
artefacts
, the most abundant being the Romans.
Around
Calpe you can walk across the rocky remains of ancient roman baths and swim over Roman walls that now stretch out into the Mediterranean sea. There are many Roman items on display within the museums of Calpe. |
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Churches |
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| The two churches of Calpe are certainly worth a visit. Close to each other, the Iglesia Antigua and the church Senora de las Nieves are both located in the
centre
of Calpe. Built in the 15th century, the old church has been reconditioned many times over the past centuries,
as pirates had attacked the city many times. |
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Festivals |
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Moors and Christians |
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There are many festivals throughout the year in
Calpe;
one of the most spectacular is the Moors and Christians
festival that
takes place in October. This festival is a mixture of
religion
, history and street carnival, During this festival may of the towns inhabitants dress up in amazing costumes and re-enact historical events and battles. The festival usually ends with feasting and fireworks. |
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Other festivals throughout the year: |
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February : |
Carnival festival. |
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19th March : |
Fallas |
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1st May : |
May Cross ("Cruz de Mayo".) |
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24th June : |
Bonfires ("Hogueras de San Juan".) |
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July : |
Fair of Andalusia. |
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16th July : |
The fishermen's celebrations of their patron saint "Virgen del Carmen". |
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5th August : |
Patronal festivities in honour of the patron saint "Virgen de las Nieves". |
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October : |
Hispanic-German beer festival. |
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22nd October : |
Patronal festivities and Moors and Christians in honour of Holy Christ "Santísimo Cristo del Sudor".
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Nearby Attractions |
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Boating
Cycling
Fishing
Golfing
Go-Karting
Horse Riding
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Jet-skiing
Museums
Mountaineering
Sailing
Snorkelling
Swimming
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Walking
Water-skiing
Wind-surfing
Tennis |
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Attractions within 1/2 hour drive |
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Benidorm Palace - (Spectacular Show With Meal.)
Mundomar - (Marine & exotic Animal Park)
Numerous Historical & Cultural Sites
Terra Mitica
Waterworld - (Aqualandia) |
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Attractions within 3/4 hour drive |
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Walking In magnificent Mountains
Sight Seeing Hot Spots eg - Guadalest |
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