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Whether you’re in Calpe for a relaxing holiday getaway, or on a road trip of the Costa Blanca, there’s amazing things to do in Calpe to have the best experience.
Here’s my guide to the top things to do in Calpe! I’ve listed the best activities, and will continue to add to this list as new things pop up.
Climb the iconic Peñón de Ifach
You can’t visit Calpe without tackling its most famous landmark! The Peñón de Ifach is the iconic landmark of Calpe. Its a huge limestone rock rising over 300 metres from the sea. Hiking up Calpe Rock is a must if you’re looking for one of the best views on the Costa Blanca.
The hike is challenging, I won’t lie, but those views from the top are some of the best on the entire Costa Blanca. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Benidorm and Altea stretching along the coastline below.
Local tip: Start early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds, and bring plenty of water!
Set sail on a boat trip along the coast
See Calpe From the Sea
Discover catamaran cruises, coastal tours & private boat hire
Looking for a different way to explore Calpe? Boat tours in Calpe let you glide past the iconic Peñón de Ifach, discover hidden coves, and even enjoy sunset cruises with a drink in hand.
Browse Calpe Boat Trips 🌊A Calpe boat trip along the coastline is one of the best ways to take in the beauty of Calpe and the surrounding area. There are lots of options, from quick trips around the Peñón, to longer excursions that take you down to Benidorm or Altea.
Book Calpe to Altea boat transfer tickets from €12pp through Get Your Guide
For something extra special, you can also take a glass-bottom boat to see the marine life below.
Buy Calpe Sunset cruise boat tickets online from €17 through Get Your Guide
Relax on one of Calpe’s many beaches
Calpe’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the region, and each has its own character:
Some of the beaches I’d recommend include:
- Playa de la Fossa (Levante Beach) is perfect for families with its gentle waters and excellent facilities. The promenade is lined with restaurants and bars, so you’re never far from a cold drink or fresh seafood.
- Arenal-Bol Beach sits right in the town centre and is popular with both locals and visitors. You can hire sunbeds and umbrellas, and it’s brilliant for evening strolls along the seafront.
- For snorkelling enthusiasts, Cala el Racó just below the Peñón offers crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life. Bring your snorkel gear and prepare to be amazed by what’s swimming beneath the surface!
eFoil Experience – fly above the water
This is honestly one of the most incredible water activities in the area! You’ll literally fly above the water on an electric hydrofoil board – it’s completely silent and feels like magic.
Book your eFoil Experience from €150pp from Get Your Guide
Even complete beginners can master this with the certified instructor’s help. Within minutes, you’ll be gliding smoothly above the crystal-clear waters around Calpe. For those who pick it up quickly, you can even try the high-performance Fliteboard PRO for an extra thrill.
The sessions run from the main beaches, and you’ll get incredible views of the Peñón from the water. It’s definitely worth the splurge for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Art and Wine Painting Workshop
If you fancy something more relaxed, this painting workshop is absolutely lovely. You’ll create your own masterpiece with a professional art teacher while enjoying up to two glasses of wine!
Book Art and Wine Workshop from €45pp
Don’t worry if you’ve never painted before – this workshop is designed for beginners and the atmosphere is really fun and relaxed. Plus, you get to take your canvas home as a souvenir – what’s not to love!
Wander through Calpe Old Town
Calpe’s Old Town is full of charm. The narrow streets are lined with colourful houses, murals, and traditional bars. There’s plenty to discover.
The Old Town really comes alive in the evenings, so it’s a great place for a relaxed dinner, with many of the restaurants serving local dishes like seafood paella or caldero.
Visit the Spanish Stairs
You won’t want to miss one of Calpe’s most photographed spots – the iconic Spanish flag steps! You’ll find the Spanish flag steps situated in the old town area of Calpe, not far from the main shopping streets.
Step back in time at Baños de la Reina
Just along from Arenal-Bol beach, you’ll find the Baños de la Reina – ancient Roman fish farms and baths carved into the rocks.
It’s a fascinating spot if you’re into history, and there’s something really special about seeing these ancient pools against the backdrop of the modern town. You can walk among the ruins and even spot some fish in the water.
Spot Flamingos at the Salt Flats (Las Salinas)
Just behind the beaches, Calpe salt flats (Las Salinas) are a reminder of the town’s wealth around its salt production. Today, it’s a natural park where you can spot flamingos and other birdlife.
It’s a lovely spot for a walk, especially in the late afternoon when the light softens and the flamingos are most active.
You can get some great photos of the birds with the Calpe rock as the perfect backdrop.
Watch the daily fish auction at La Lonja
If you’re a fan of fresh seafood, don’t miss the daily fish auction at La Lonja. This is where the local fishermen bring in their catch and auction it off – it’s a real glimpse into traditional life in Calpe.
If you prefer to eat rather than buy, there are plenty of restaurants nearby serving up freshly caught fish and seafood.
Catch sunset views from Mirador Monte Toix
For a fantastic view of the coastline, head to the Mirador Monte Toix. Its a 15 minute drive from Calpe, and about a 10 minute walk after parking your car. The view is so worth it though!
It’s a great spot for watching the sunset, so make sure you take plenty of pictures. My favourite one is below!
Try stand-up paddleboarding
You can try stand-up paddleboard in Playa Arenal-Bol. The waters are calm and clear, so it’s perfect for beginners!
Book your paddleboarding experience from €29pp through Get Your Guide
Calpe is also a great place for diving. There are several diving schools where you can book a dive to explore the coastline’s underwater caves, reefs, and even a shipwreck or two. If you’re not a diver, snorkelling is just as rewarding, especially at Cala el Racó where the water is teeming with fish.
Day trip to Guadalest & Algar Waterfalls
This is one of my favourite day trips from Calpe! You’ll visit the medieval mountain village of Guadalest and then cool off with a swim at the stunning Algar Waterfalls.
Book Guadalest & Algar Waterfalls day trip from €38
It’s a small group experience – no crowded coaches or long waiting times. You’ll have loads of free time to wander around Guadalest’s quirky museums and artisan shops, then splash about in the natural pools at Algar. The waterfalls are absolutely gorgeous and perfect for cooling off on a hot day!
Sample traditional Spanish cuisine
One of the highlights of any trip to Calpe is the food. Being right on the coast, fresh seafood is the star of most menus, and you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving traditional paella and seafood stews.
For a special meal, head to Puerto Blanco, a lovely restaurant near the marina known for its fresh fish and Mediterranean dishes. If you want something more casual, the seafront promenade is packed with places offering everything from seafood tapas to wood-fired pizzas.
Visit the Calpe Fairground
This place is great for family entertainment, as there tons of different attractions for all ages. Rides are a little expensive, but there are offers on when buying tickets.
It offers a variety of rides and attractions for all ages, including trampolines, a bouncy castle, bungee-jumping fun, bumper cars, a rollercoaster, a Caribbean Pirate Ship, Free Fall Drone, Grand Prix Experience, Flying Chairs, Crazy Kangaroo, 2-seater go-karts, and a virtual rollercoaster. Wristbands are available for unlimited access to most rides and attractions, with the exception of the go-karts and virtual reality experiences.
Catch the Calpe Tourist Train
Hop aboard the famous Calpe tourist train!
The route starts at Hotel Esmeralda by Fossa beach, takes you into the centre of the city, close up to the Penoch de Ifach, around the beaches and the port.
Tickets cause 4 euros each. Don’t forget to wave at everyone throughout the journey!
Visit Torreó de la Peça
A centuries-old cylindrical bastion was constructed as part of the defensive walls protecting the city.
They are the existing remains of the Villa Wall. It was exposed after the partial demolition of the Wall in 1947. In 1981 its restoration began.
Hike up the Sierra de Bernia
Okay, this is outside of Calpe, but not too far! Sierra de Bernia is Benissa’s closest mountain, and makes for a fantastic climb.
There are two routes including the Forat de Bèrnia, which will lead you up to mountain through to a tunnel, which then opens up to this incredible opening on the side of the mountain.
Visit the Saturday Market
There is a weekly market in Calpe, which is held on Saturday morning from 9:00am to 2pm. One section of the market sells locally grown fruit and vegetables, while the other section sells clothes, handmade jewellery, leather, antiques and more.
It is located on Av. de Rumania.
Practice yoga on the beach with stunning views
Practice Hatha Yoga with Patricia Piper on Saturdays at 10am with fantastic views of the Peñón de Ifach in the distance. She runs weekly morning sessions on the Cantal Roig beach, open to all.
You can book a class on the Patricia Piper site, through the contact form.
Shop at the Plaza Central Calpe
Shop till you drop at the local shopping centre! There are clothes shops including Sprinter, Pepco and Mango, as well as a Tedi for homeware goods, and finally, a large Masymas supermarket.
There are also restaurants including Burger King. If you want a larger shopping centre, visit La Marina in Benidorm.
Visit Terra Natura zoo – Book official tickets from €33pp
There are two zoos near Calpe which sit on the outskirts of Benidorm, and is about a 30 minute drive from Calpe. One of them is Terra Natura, and its of my top places for a fun day out.
Buy tickets online through Get Your Guide
Terra Natura wildlife park in Benidorm has some of Spain’s most amazing animals, including elephants, tigers and jaguars. You’ll also find fantastic daily shows where you can watch eagles and other birds of prey soar through the air. The park staff put on regular animal talks and feeding sessions too.
