Calpe sits close to the Rock of Ifach on a hill rising up from the last spurs of the Sierra Bernia, a geographical marvel that provides access to the northernmost towns of Alicante's Marina district. lt is an authentic tourist site, with a coastline boasting sandy beaches and cliff faces in some areas, also the salt sea give to the town a special flavor. Next to the seafront promenade are the remains of an ancient fish salting factory from Roman times.
Calpe's fishing port comes alive with hustle and bustle as the afternoon fish auction draws near.
On the Restaurant terraces the costumers have the possibility to try some of the fresh local shellfish.
In the old town center are some points of interest to visit.
The Peñon de Ifach is a Natural Park which is the symbol of the whole Costa Blanca. It is 332m high and extends for a kilometre out to sea. You can climb to the top from the information office at its base but whether you'd want to in the summer heat is another matter.
Arriving along the coast road from the north you'll be confronted with a selection of large supermarkets and even larger apartment blocks and hotels running adjacent to the coast. These cater for holidaymakers who come to spend their days on the 900m long beach of Playa la Fossa (also called Playa Levante).
Playa de la Fossa is a first class beach with golden sand and excellent facilities including several children's play areas, tennis courts and even a bowling green. It has been awarded a Blue Flag.
The majority of the restaurants along Playa la Fossa are geared towards Spanish tourists with local fish and rice dishes very popular. the occasional British establishment appears with its typical fare which strikes a nice balance as far as the resort is concerned. There is a pedestrianised promenade (Paseo Infanta Cristina) the full length of the beach with a number of cocktail bars which help generate a lively nightlife scene.
On the other side of the Peñon is a smart marina followed by narrow, rocky beach called Playa Cantal Roig. A promenade (Paseo Infanta Elena) runs from here past a Roman fish farm and Roman baths as far as another superb beach at Playa Arenal-Bol. The end of this 2000m long beach is pretty much in the old town. Just follow the main route to Valencia for two minutes and you're in the Plaza Mayor. Both of these beaches have also been awarded Blue Flags.
The old town of Calpe is worth a wander around to see some historical buildings and squares. There's a street market every Saturday in the town and a flea market every Wednesday. In the summer months there are crafts fairs in the old town. Another worthwhile visit is to the daily fish auction at La Lonja in the port. These take place every weekday afternoon at 5pm. The salt flats just inland from Playa Levante date back to Roman times and are an important location for many species of migrating birds so don't forget your binoculars.
