Calpe and its famous rock, the Penon d'Ifach
Calpe is an old fishing town, at the foot of the Ifach, the widely known rock rising like a beacon from the sea. In the small harbour you will find the best fish restaurants with where the fish is replenished directly from the daily auction.
The old town is a bit away from the 2 tourist beaches, the Playa de la Fossa and the Playa Arenal-Bol and is a very lively place in summer with the many terraces in the small streets.
Paradise for hikers and bikers
In Calpe, there are about a dozen hiking trails, ranging from easy to quite difficult, with paths leading you up to the top of the Sierra de Bernia. The walk on the Penyal d'Ifach is short but tough and it is best to provide good walking shoes for this. A challenge, but the view from the top of the rock over the Marina Alta coastline is breathtaking and definitely worth the climb. In good weather, you can see Ibiza.
The area of Calpe is also very well known among cycling enthusiasts and several professional cycling teams do their winter training here every year. The mild climate and tough hills and cols are no strangers to this. In Calpe, there is plenty of opportunity to hire (electric) bikes, sometimes also with guidance.
A holiday full of activity !
Furthermore, there are many other sporting options. In Cala Les Bassetes, you can kayak, sail, dive, windsurf and paddleboard. Snorkelling and jet skiing are also among the possibilities.
Within walking distance there is the Club Hipico de Calpe, the equestrian centre you can see from the house.
Eight minutes away you can play padel or tennis at the Club Tenis de Calpe and 20 minutes away there is the Club Ifach de Golf.
Daytrips
Following day trips in the region are a must :
- Valencia , a very nice old city with beautiful old buildings and squares, but especially known for its futuristic city area of Art and Science
- The waterfalls of Algar, very beautiful waterfall complex where you can also take a refreshing dip
- Guadalest castle and reservoir
- The valley of Jalon or Xalo
- Altea, the white village
- Villajoyosa, colourful fishing village
- Alicante, Benidorm amongst many other nice places
Kids fun
There are no fewer than 6 (amusement) parks in this area.
- Terra Mitica : amusement park
- Aqualandia : one of the biggest water parks in the world
- Mundomar : Bird, seal and dolphin show
- Safari Aitana : Animal park in the beautiful Aitana Mountains
- Dino Park Algar : near the waterfalls of Algar
- Terra Natura and Aquapark near Benidorm