Things to see in Calpe

There are so many things to see in Calpe! Besides its marvelous climate and its fabulous gastronomy, Calpe boasts unique monuments and breathtaking natural settings that make this municipality one of the most visited spots on the Costa Blanca.

Although there are plenty of things to see in Calpe, in this post we wanted to recommend 6 that you cannot miss. Pay attention and don’t miss out on anything!

Things to visit in Calpe, don’t miss them!

The Peñón de Ifach

Declared a Natural Park in 1987, the Peñón de Ifach is one of the most important symbols of the Costa Blanca. It is a large rock rising 300 meters high, dominating the geography of the municipality.

If you come to Calpe, you can’t miss visiting it, it’s a classic! You can ascend to its summit following a wonderful hiking trail that passes through viewpoints, archaeological remains of an ancient Iberian settlement, old watchtowers, a tunnel, and even a museum. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can drive to the foot of the Peñón and park in the lot you will find. From here, just follow the trail!

Although the route is suitable for families, we recommend not continuing after the tunnel if you’re with very young children, and only proceed if you wear appropriate footwear, as parts may be slippery! If you continue, at the exit of the tunnel you will find a small viewpoint where, on clear days, you can see Ibiza island and Cape Santa Pola.

If you reach the summit, the view is even more spectacular. You can see the salinas, the town, and also the beaches of La Fossa and Bol’s Arenal.

The buildings of Ricardo Bofill

The Ricardo Bofill buildings have become a favorite among Instagrammers and photographers. No wonder!

In the 1970s, the postmodern architect Ricardo Bofill built a series of sensational spaces renowned for their shapes and colors. In Calpe, we are lucky to have two of them: La Muralla Roja and the Edificio Xanadú. These are residential buildings whose shapes adapt perfectly to the area and cliffs on which they are located, mimicking ancient structures like fortresses or castles.

, we will tell you that it is one of the most popular architecture projects on the Costa Blanca. Its colors and shapes have turned it into one of Calpe’s most visited monuments. It is a residential building in the Manzanera urbanization. Therefore, when you visit, please do so with respect for the neighbors. In La Muralla Roja, there are stairs, patios, and bridges interconnected, forming a large labyrinth. However, its layout resembles a fortified enclosure emerging from the cliff. It’s said that Bofill reflected his admiration for Arabic architecture, especially for the alcazabas, fortified spaces of Berber origin. Lastly, the shape of La Muralla Roja is based on a Greek cross, with red colors on the outside and blue on the inside.

Meanwhile, the Edificio Xanadú is also located in the Manzanera area and also resembles a fortress, inspired by the Peñón de Ifach, mirroring its shape.

Although less well known than the previous ones, there is a third Ricardo Bofill building, the Calpe Amphitheater. It consists of 27 luxury apartments facing the Peñón, located in the Partida Manzanera area, along with the other buildings. What stands out most about the Amphitheater is, as its name indicates, its semi-circular shape with a central enclosed space.

Archaeological Sites

Without a doubt, Calpe was a very important city from its beginnings. Evidence of this is that we find several archaeological sites of great value. We have already mentioned the oldest one: the Iberian village of the Peñón de Ifach. But beyond that, there is also the Archaeological Site of the Baños de la Reina from the 7th century AD. The site includes a Roman palace, hot springs, a fish farm, and several rustic buildings. Today, only 25% of its surface has been excavated, and sporadically, the tourist info organizes guided visits.

The site is located right in front of the salinas, along the Paseo Marítimo of Playa del Bol, just past Cala Morello.

Highlighting mainly the fish farms, where you can now swim, divided into six small ponds. As a curiosity, it is said that over the years, the site became known as the Reina Mora’s Baths, because people believed the drainage tunnels were tunnels used by the queen to reach the coast. In legend, the fish pond was actually a swimming pool where the queen could enjoy the sea.

Besides the baths of the Queen, there are also the Termas de la Muntayeta, located right next to them. This is a small thermal complex of about 500 m2. Among the findings uncovered during excavation are several ponds and a cold-water natatio.

The best coves of Calpe

There is no doubt that Calpe is a perfect beach destination. But besides its long beaches of fine sand, you can’t leave without exploring some of its coves. They are an essential part of what to see in Calpe, and you will love them! You will find coves for all tastes: secluded ones for the more adventurous or those seeking a quiet bath, but also easily accessible ones for families. Cala Calalga, Puerto Blanco, or Cala de les Bassetes are just a few. But in our post about the best coves in Calpe, you'll find many more—discover them!

The salt flats of Calpe

Who hasn’t been intrigued by the salt flats when arriving in the city? No wonder! The salt flats of Calpe are unique, so you can’t miss them. But what are salt flats? Well, precisely, they are a large lagoon of saline water. They formed thanks to the position of the Peñón, which facilitated the water’s deposition, and also by the formation of a barrier to the waves at the Beaches of Arenal, La Fossa, and Cantal Roig.

The salt flats cover a total of 41 hectares, and there have been documented up to 173 different bird species. If you love birdwatching, you will enjoy exploring the area! Notable species include flamingos, herons, egrets, and . Historically, the salt flats were exploited commercially, and their importance in a fishing town like Calpe, where salt was vital for food preservation, especially fish, was considerable.

If you want to explore the salt flats closely, we recommend taking the hiking trail that surrounds them. Besides being surprised by its vegetation, you’ll be able to discover all the species!

The fish market and the port

Visiting the fish market is one of the most original and fun things to do in Calpe. The market, found at the fishing port, is the building where the fish auction takes place. There, you can see firsthand how the fish caught by Calpe’s fishermen during the day are sold. It is one of the most traditional activities!

The auction takes place every day, Monday to Friday, at 5:00 PM. Before that time, you will see the boats gradually entering the port in order and unloading their catch.

Later, the fish are placed in boxes and then on a conveyor belt passing in front of the buyers. Prices are displayed on screens, along with information about their origin and weight. The price will gradually decrease until one of the traders presses the button they have, indicating that they have purchased the lot. Everything happens in front of the public, who watch how the auction unfolds from the walkway.

If you go to the port, besides the fish market, you can enjoy a nice walk around the area. There are plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy delicious fish and seafood.

The Old Town

The Old Town of Calpe is one of the lesser-known historic centers on the Costa Blanca, but it has nothing to envy to others, like Altea, for example.

In the past, Berber pirate attacks were common in these parts of the Marina, which is why municipalities distanced themselves from the coast and protected themselves with walls. You can still see remnants of Calpe’s walls that went around the Old Town perimeter. We recommend spending some time exploring Calpe’s center. You can start at the Forat de la Mar and continue to the old quarter.

We recommend visiting the Torreó de la Peça, a lookout post that now houses the Collecting Museum, the History Museum, the street Puchal with its staircase painted in the colors of the Spanish flag, the Old Town Hall, the Constitution square, or the Calle Mayor with its shops. Along your route, you will find several murals and mosaics depicting scenes of Calpe and its traditions.

If you visit us in summer, you should explore the Old Town at night. You’ll see the lively atmosphere! During summer, most restaurants place their tables outside. Also, at sunset, various craft markets are organized. You will surely find the most original souvenirs!

Now that you know all the things to do in Calpe, what will you do first? What are your favorite things to see or do in Calpe? We look forward to hearing from you!