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At the
heart
of the
Costa
Blanca,
within
the
region
of
Valencia
lies
an
ancient
fishing
village,
now a
tourist
magnet
by the
name
of
Calpe.
Calpe
sits
in an
ideal
location,
easily
accessed
by the
A7
motorway
and
the
N332
that
runs
from
Valencia
to
Alicante.
Calpe
is
dominated
by the
towering
rock
of
Ifach
which
reaches
to an
impressive
332m
and is
now a
nature
reserve.
The
summit
of the
rock
is
reached
by
means
of a
tunnel
through
the
rock.
From
here,
magnificent
panoramic
views
can be
had.
On a
clear
day,
the
island
of
Ibiza
is
visible.
Calpe
has a
wonderful
mixture
of old
Valencian
culture
and
modern
tourist
trappings,
perfectly
harmonising
providing
an
ideal
base
from
which
to
explore
the
local
area
or
enjoy
on the
many
beaches.
Calpe
alone
has
three
of the
most
beautiful
sandy
beaches
on the
coast. |
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Calpe
is a
town
rich
in
history
and
culture
and
its
strategic
position
on the
coast
has
attracted
many
voyagers
and
settlers
throughout
history.
Remains
of
Iberian
tribes
have
been
found
around
the
town
and
later,
the
Romans
founded
a
prosperous
colony
whose
main
activity
was
dried,
salted
fish.
Christians
and
Moors
lived
peacefully
for a
time
but
were
subjected
to
attacks
by
pirates
during
the
14th-17th
centuries.
The
peace
of the
18th
century
enabled
Calpe
to
regenerate
and
form
the
current
tourist
location. |
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When
it
comes
to
sightseeing,
the
ancient
town
centre,
next
to the
Moorish
quarter
is a
good
place
to
start.
The
old
town
walls
and
the
church
known
as
Iglesia
Vieja
are
well
worth
seeing.
This
church
is the
only
remaining
example
of
Mudejar-Gothic
architecture
within
Valencia.
Alongside
the
modern
Paseo
Maritimo
are
the
recently
discovered
remains
of a
Roman
villa,
once
forming
part
of the
Roman
fish
factory,
known
as the
Banys
de la
Reina
(Queen's
Bath).
Overlooking
the
Mascarat
ravine
are
the
ruins
of the
Moorish
Castle
of
Calpe
and
all
over
the
local
countryside
are
the
typical
rui-rau
country
houses,
with
arched
porticos
for
raisin
drying.
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The
town
centre
is
also
home
to the
Museum
of
Archaeology
and
the
Fiestas
Museum.
Calpe
has a
wonderful
modern
marina
that
sits
alongside
the
old
fishing
port.
From
here
it is
possible
to
take
boat
rides
around
the
rock
and to
the
nearby
resort
of
Benidorm.
The
port
has a
nautical
club
and
facilities
for
yachting,
windsurfing
and
water
skiing.
If its
dry-land
sports
you
want
then
the
rock
of
Ifach
offers
climbing
facilities. |
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One of
the
best
ways
to
glimpse
the
local
coastline
is by
means
of the
narrow
gauge
railway
that
runs
from
Alicante
to
Denia,
stopping
at
Calpe.
Calpe
has
several
tourist
information
centres,
all of
which
are
very
helpful
and
will
provide
you
with
information
about
the
whole
of the
region. |
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Recreation
in
Calpe
Tennis
Club,
Tel 96
583 08
20.
More
than 5
courts,
swimming
pool,
restaurant,
gardens
and
much
more.
Windsurf,
kayaks
and
catamarans
for
hire,
with
or
without
lessons.
Tel 96
583 83
10.
Cruise
along
the
Benidorm
coast.
Leaves
Calpe
at
12.00
midday.
Underwater
vision
with a
glass-bottom
boat.
departs
at
10am
and
every
hour
thereafter.
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Pictured
above
are
the
remains
of the
old
city
walls.
There
are
very
few
ancient
remains
to be
seen
in
Calpe
today
but
the
most
impressive,
and
unusual
have
to be
those
actually
located
on the
beach
! Here
you
will
see
wonderful
remains
of a
Roman
villa,
believed
to be
part
of a
fish
farm.
You
can
actually
walk
over
them
and
swim
alongside
the
Roman
walls.
We
visited
Calpe
in
June
as
part
of a
tour
of the
Costa
Blanca
and we
found
the
own to
be
charming,
with a
great
deal
to
offer.
The
local
residents
were
friendly
and
all
facilities
were
clean
and
well
cared
for.
Calpe
would
make
an
ideal
base
for a
coastal
holiday
or
even a
side
step
from
Alicante
or
Benidorm.
The
Paseo
Maritimo
is
long
and
clean,
lined
with
bars
and
restaurants
of all
descriptions.
The
sea is
clear
and
clean
with
golden
sandy
beaches.
The
blue
flag
beaches
are
safe
for
the
young
ones,
making
it a
true,
family
resort.
The
town,
although
having
very
few
monuments,
was a
pleasure
to
walk
round,
with
plenty
of
squares
to
rest
in
along
the
way.
The
town
is
easy
to get
to via
the
main
highways
although
the
centre
is
very
difficult
to
navigate
so
best
park
on the
outskirts.
Calpe
has a
good
English
community
with
many
English
people
making
this
their
retirement
location.
From
Calpe,
our
tour
took
us
north
to
Denia. |
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