Planning a trip to Calpe Spain and not white sure what to see and do? Don’t worry. We spent a while in Calpe while campervanning in Spain, exploring the beautiful coastal town and I’m here to help you figure out what to do in Calpe.
When looking for things to do in Calpe, Costa Blanca’s iconic rock, Peñon de Ifach, and flamingos are on top of the list for most tourists – me included.
But Calpe is also home to a lovely old town and a beautiful coast with crystal clear water and plenty of water activities.
Read on for ideas for your upcoming trip to Calpe!
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Things to do in Calpe
Stroll through the old town
Calpe’s Old Town is full of beautiful corners, so you can easily let yourself get lost in the streets and find little gems.
Among the top things to do in Calpe Old Town, make sure you walk up the steps painted in the colors of the Spanish flag. There’s so much beautiful artwork on the walls in this hill that we stopped several times to take pictures.
The Old Town is also packed with street art and there are painted walls on every corner, many of them depicting scenes from Calpe’s history and cultural events.
Stroll along the old city walls, across squares dotted with orange trees, and down streets with artwork hanging over your head.
Hike Peñon de Ifach
If you’re looking for adventurous things to do in Calpe, I highly recommend hiking Peñon de Ifach. The iconic rock jutting out in the sea dividing Calpe’s coastline offers unrivaled views of Calpe and its beaches.
But the hike is no walk in the park. You need a permit to hike it and it’s important to wear good hiking shoes or boots as the rocks at the upper part of the hike are slippery, especially when wet.
Except for the views, the highlights of the hike are the tunnel and some steeper rocky sections further ahead that make the hike a bit more interesting.
Snap pictures of the flamingos
Calpe is possibly the only place in Costa Blanca that has a salt lake in the middle of town making it super easy to see flamingos without having to drive anywhere.
Just a stone’s throw from the beach, you can witness these beautiful birds all year round, though there are fewer flamingos in the winter months.
Relax on the beaches
Calpe’s beaches are really beautiful. From long and fine-sanded like Playa de la Fossa and Arenal-Bol which both have beautiful views of Peñon de Ifach whihc is in the middle.
But Calpe is also home to beautiful coves with smaller beaches with clear water and incredible snorkeling opportunities like Calalga.
Go snorkeling
While I haven’t been snorkeling in Calpe just yet (trust me I will very soon!) this is one of the top things to do in Calpe in the warmer months.
With turquoise water, underwater caves, and an abundance of marine life. On top of my bucket list is the Racó Cove where there’s an intriguing underwater itinerary with information boards under water with information about the different species you can see.
Walk around the Peñon de Ifach
There is a beautiful and easy walk from the marina along the bottom of the Peñon de Ifach. The little promenade gives you a close and vertiginous look at the vertical side of the rock from below.
I especially loved how you can see all the different birds (mostly seagulls!) nest in the holes and cracks above my head where they are all safe from land predators.
It’s an easy walk that can take you about half an hour to the tip and back.
Check out all the street art
Calpe is home to so much amazing street art. I was impressed by the different pieces, especially in the old town.
There is especially a lot of artwork that reflects the history and culture of Calpe and the surrounding region. Two large walls represent the famous Moros y Cristianos Festival, which is held in October every year.
Walk around the lake
The salt lake in the center of Calpe makes for a relaxing walk. It takes about an hour to walk around the entire lake and there are several viewpoints for birdwatching – so don’t forget your binoculars!
I love that you can see the flamingos so close up as you walk around the lake and you could be lucky to see them wading near the trail.
But note that there’s no guarantee to see them up close, they are wild animals who roam where they like. If you are lucky though, make sure to stay calm and make little noise to not disturb them.
Stroll along the promenade
The beach promenade in Calpe is long and stretches for kilometers on each side of the rock. It’s kind of two promenades to be technically correct as it doesn’t continue the whole way past the rock.
But whether you walk on one side or the other (or both) it’s really beautiful with plenty of restaurants and cafes to stop for a drink whenever you need a break.
Grab a cold drink in the sun
With such a lovely beachfront, Calpe has plenty of bars where you can enjoy a refreshing drink and some tapas in the sun.
I highly recommend kicking back people-watching for a while to slow down during your trip to Calpe.
Explore the ruins of Baños de la Reina
Baños de la Reina is a Roman archaeological site next to Levante Beach. It’s the remains of one of the many Roman settlements that lived on the Iberian coastline trading salt.
However, the name, Baños de la Reina, came much later from an urban ledgend saying that the Queen used the passages to move freely between the palace and the baths.
When I was in Calpe I couldn’t get a tour of the archaeological area as I didn’t plan it in advance and it’s only open for guided tours some selective days.
If it interests you to visit, I suggest you go straight to the tourist office when you arrive in Calpe and see if it’s possible to visit one of the days you’re there.
Admire the yachts at the marina
Calpe’s marina is located right below the majestic Peñon de Ifach. While it’s not really a public area, you can still stroll by and check out the luxury yachts.
If you want to spend more time in the marina, there’s a nice restaurant, Real Club Nautico Calpe where you can enjoy a nice lunch outside, overlooking the yachts.
If you’re interested in seeing the local fishermen at work, the port is where they bring in fresh fish every day that’s sold at the fish market.
Summing up what to do in Calpe
Summing up what to do in Calpe, it’s a really nice beach town on Costa Blanca with plenty to explore. There’s a great variety of activities you can do in different seasons, whether you visit Costa Blanca in winter or in the summer.
If you’re still wondering if Calpe is worth visiting or not, check out my honest review where I discuss the pros and cons of visiting Calpe.
Happy travels!