Refreshment kiosks and equipment-hiring stands that
offer windsurfing boards and jet-skis are located all
along the beaches of La Fossa and Arenal, which have
a beautiful promenade and offer all kinds of services.
Among the many quiet coves in the bay is Les Bassetes,
famous for its beautiful seabed and crystal waters.
This cove rivals others such as La Manzanera and Les
Urques in beauty, perfect for sailing and scuba diving.
Calpe also has a sailing school for both beginners and
advanced students and a scuba-diving centre in Puerto
Blanco.
Lovers of outdoor sports can climb the Rock of Ifach
or go potholing in the Barranc del Mascarat and the
Oltá Mountain.
History and Architecture
Calpe was inhabited by many different Mediterranean
cultures. Iberians, Phoenicians and Romans all found
a surveillance privileged point in this land, thanks
to the Peñón de Ifach.
The present town of Calpe was established in the area
surrounding the Rock. Its history is narrated by the
remains it preserves, including the Baños de
la Reina (Queen's Baths), from Roman times.
The historic quarter of Calpe is bordered by the old
walls, erected in the 15th century to defend the city
against pirate attacks. Next to the Moorish quarter
of El Arrabal, part of the medieval walled precinct
is preserved, some fronts and the large Tower of Peça.
Nearby, the parish church devoted to the Virgin of the
Snow, dating back to the 15th century, is the only Gothic-Mudejar
temple in the Region of Valencia.
Two beautiful examples of religious architecture are
also found in Calpe: the hermitages of La Cometa and
San Salvador, both from the 17th century.
The rural tradition of this town is present in its outskirts.
Hillsides covered with vineyards alternate with beautiful
examples of local architecture, like Casa Nova, a typical
farm with the appearance of a fortressand Pou Salat,
the old water supply.
Gastronomy, holidays and the outskirts
Calpe's traditional gastronomy is mainly based on rice
and fish. In addition to the famous paella, there are
other rice dishes with beans and turnip, which are baked
or served with Swiss chard. Also typical are dishes
like the octopus casserole and Llauna de Calpe (fish
stew). The wines with the label Designation of Origin
- Alicante should accompany any of these delicacies.
As is common in the remaining towns of Alicante, Calpe
also has cultural calendar filled with fiestas and leisure
activities. From Carnival to Fallas de San José
(March 19)and including the Bonfires of San Juan (June
24) and the festival of Moors and Christians (October).
The local holidays, devoted to the Virgen de las Nieves
(Virgin of the Snow), takes place on August 5.
From Calpe, many different excursions can be taken to
other towns on the Costa Blanca. Denia and Jávea
are located north of Cabo de la Nao (Nao Cape). These
are tourist towns with an extensive coastline of beaches
and coves. The visit may continue to the Montgó
Nature Reserve, where the outline of the mountains dives
down into the Mediterranean, creating spectacular cliffs.
To the south is the town of Teulada, famous for its
muscatel vineyards. Altea is dominated by the blue dome
of the church of Virgen del Consuelo. L’Alfàs
del Pi is an inland town that meets the sea on the beach
of Albir. Benidorm, with its excellent beaches, makes
this region one of the most important tourist destinations
in Alicante.
