9 Best Things to Do in Calpe

Plaça de la Villa, located in Old Town Calpe, features narrow cobbled streets that are lined with colourful murals, potted plants, and flowers, as well as ancient Roman ruins and city walls. This historical square is also home to Calpe’s most iconic museums and churches, including the Parish Church of Virgen de las Nieves and Museo del Coleccionismo. The best way to explore Plaça de la Villa is on foot, as you get to see beautiful wall mosaics and street art along the alleyways.

Torreó de la Peça is a defensive tower that was constructed to protect Calpe from pirates during the 15th century. Located near the Parish Church of Virgen de las Nieves, the wall features 2 cannons dating back to the 14th century. You should also pay a visit to the Museo del Coleccionismo, which house an extensive collection of artefacts such as vintage cameras, toys, and ceramic goods.

The Mosaico Mural can be found on the main façade of the city’s tourism office in Old Town Calpe. Widely regarded as one of Calpe’s most beautiful tile murals, it’s the work of Alicantino muralist Gastón Castelló. It depicts the town’s fishing industry, complete with a ship, Peñón de Ifach (Ifach Rock), and people dressed in traditional costumes and carrying fish. There are plenty of murals painted on building facades and stairways within the historical neighbourhood, so leave lots of time for photographing these artwork during your visit.

Lonja de Calpe is a seafood market and port that’s known for its fish auction. Held from Monday to Friday between 5pm and 8pm, it’s one of the town’s most popular activities. You get to experience the local culture and even get some fresh fish for yourself. The market dates back to 1991 and features a viewing gallery for visitors to watch the auction from. Lonja de Calpe is surrounded by many seafood restaurants, so you get to pick out the fish you prefer and have the kitchen cook it to your liking. If you want to learn more about the history of Calpe’s fishing industry, guided tours of the port are available for about €6.

The Calpe Craft Market takes place in the Avenida de Rumania neighbourhood, where you can shop for local handicrafts, vintage clothing, jewellery, and preloved items. It’s also a good place to stock up on homemade pastries, cakes, and breads, as well as organic fruits and vegetables. The Calpe Craft Market is held from 9am to 2pm, and often gets busy from 11am.

Baños de Reina (Queen’s Baths) is an ancient Roman site next to the Paseo Maritimo Playa del Bol promenade. Built between the 2nd and 4th centuries, the excavation site comprises the ruins of a fish farm and a thermal bath complex with interconnected pools carved from rocks. Baños de Reina is about 1.5 km northeast of Ifach Rock.

Platja del Arenal-Bol is a clean and lively beach that spans 1.5 km in length. It’s within a 10-minute walk of Old Town Calpe, making it one of the most popular places for locals and tourists to relax during the summer. There’s a beachfront promenade that’s lined with bars, restaurants, boutiques, and souvenir shops, as well as windsurfers, jet skis, paddleboards, and surfboards available to rent. Platja del Arenal-Bol also caters to people with mobility issues by providing handicap-friendly bathrooms, crutches, and amphibious chairs.

Peñón de Ifach is a rock formation that stands at 332 metres above sea level. One of the best locations in Calpe to enjoy the sunset, it requires a relatively good level of fitness to reach the summit as scaling the upper part of the rock can be rather challenging. Once you’re at the top, you can see Calpe’s historical buildings, fishing port, and beaches from an impressive height. You may even be able to spot the island of Ibiza, especially on sunny days.

Paseo Ecológico Principe de Asturias is one of Calpe’s most beautiful promenades. It’s lined with beachside cafés, bars, and restaurants with views of the nearby Peñón de Ifach. You may also spot impressive sand sculptures while walking along the promenade. There’s a nautical club where you can see hundreds of berthed yachts and sailboats. In the evening, it’s a good place to watch the sun set over the horizon. In the summer, leisure boats offer sunset cruises through Calpe Bay.