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Calpe (Calp in Valencian) is instantly recognisable by the Peñón de Ifach, a 332-metre-high rock rising above the Mediterranean that is now a nature reserve. At its foot are a working fishing port, two urban beaches, salt flats where flamingos gather, and a small, steep old town.
According to Spain’s National Statistics Institute, more than half of Calpe’s registered residents are foreign nationals, a unique figure among Spanish municipalities with over 20,000 inhabitants. Places to stay range from seafront hotels to villas with pools, brought together on our places to stay in Calpe page.
Here, we explain which area to choose and introduce the places to stay we’ve selected one by one, including what’s good to know before you book.
How to choose an area
Calpe stretches out on both sides of the Peñón and climbs inland through residential areas of low-rise houses:
- Arenal-Bol and the old town: an urban beach with a seafront promenade, restaurants and the historic centre just a few minutes away.
- La Fossa and Levante: north of the Peñón, a wide beach lined with tall apartment blocks and offering direct views of the rock.
- Port and Peñón: close to the fish market and the start of the nature reserve trail, ideal for early risers keen to walk or dive.
- Maryvilla, Mascarat and Puerto Blanco: residential areas towards Altea, with small coves such as Les Urques and plenty of villas with private pools.
For couples without a car, Arenal-Bol is the best all-round choice. Families and groups will find more space, a private pool and peace and quiet in the villas of Maryvilla and Mascarat, but they’ll need a car to get around the very steep streets.
Where to stay in Calpe
Calpe has plenty of whole villas, and our selection reflects that: we start with four houses for groups or families.
Modern luxury villa Paradise
A contemporary 270 m² house with five bedrooms, designed so ten people can stay together without getting under each other’s feet. The private pool and terrace look out to sea, and Puerto Blanco beach is a short walk away. Check-in is not until 17:00.
Maryvilla Inspiracion y Vacaciones - Grand Villa Penon
The largest in our selection: 500 m², seven bedrooms and room for fourteen, with a sauna, Turkish bath and whirlpool as well as a pool. Cala Les Urques is practically next door. The upper floors are only accessible by stairs, and parties and stag or hen parties are not allowed.
Maryvilla Inspiración y Vacaciones - Villa Mascarat
Two bedrooms for four guests, a private pool, a whirlpool bath and a sea-view terrace that’s perfect for breakfast outdoors. It’s next to Cala Les Urques and has free parking. A large deposit is required on arrival, and quiet hours start at 22:00.
THE BEST HOLIDAY VILLA
Three bedrooms, a garden and a terrace with a barbecue make this a good choice for a family that loves spending time outdoors; pets are allowed on request. The internet connection is very fast, which is handy if you’re working remotely. The pool is open only in season, and check-in is between 16:00 and 21:00.
If you’d rather stay in a hotel with a restaurant and daily service, these two four-star options put you close to Arenal-Bol.
SOLYMAR Gran Hotel
This adults-only hotel is just steps from the sand at Arenal-Bol. It has an infinity pool overlooking the Mediterranean, its own beach club, a gym and two restaurants. It’s a good choice for a couples’ getaway without a car. Parking costs extra, and the spa is also available for a supplement.
The Cookbook Hotel & SPA
A four-star hotel with a focus on food: it has a Mediterranean restaurant and an international one, an outdoor pool and rooms with terraces. Free parking is useful if you’re planning to explore the coast. The beach is about a ten-minute walk away, and breakfast and spa access cost extra.
What to see in Calpe
The must-see is the Peñón de Ifach. Its trail passes through a tunnel in the rock and ends at a section with fixed ropes. Daily places are limited, so you’ll need to book in advance on the nature reserve’s website; beyond the tunnel, the route is not suitable for children.
At the foot of the Peñón, when the boats return in the mid-afternoon, you can watch the fish market auction from an upper gallery. Near Arenal-Bol, the Baños de la Reina are the remains of a Roman fish-salting factory, with tanks carved into the rock.
Flamingos can be spotted from the promenade at the Salt Flats, between the two beaches. In the old town, highlights include the Gothic-Mudéjar Old Church and the Torreó de la Peça, a remnant of the old town wall. Towards Benissa, Ricardo Bofill’s Muralla Roja is a residential building best admired from the outside.
When to visit Calpe
From April to June and in September and October, the water is pleasant and you can climb the Peñón without the summer heat; July and August bring crowded beaches, while winter is mild and quiet.
Every 5 August, on the feast day of Our Lady of the Snows, Castell a la Mar lights up the bay with fireworks launched from Arenal-Bol. And every October, the Moors and Christians festival arrives. It has regional tourist-interest status and features a landing at dawn and El Miracle, which recalls a Berber raid in 1744. It’s worth booking well ahead for these dates.
Getting there and getting around
The nearest airport is Alicante-Elche, less than an hour away via the AP-7 motorway, which has no toll. Without a car, you can take TRAM line 9, which runs along the coast between Benidorm and Dénia and stops in Calpe. It reopened in January 2025 after a complete renovation, and in Benidorm you can connect to trams heading towards Alicante. A car is almost essential, however, for getting to the southern residential areas.
Calpe is included in our guide to where to stay in the Valencian Community. To compare it with its neighbours, see where to stay in Altea, where to stay in Jávea or, if you’re looking for a livelier atmosphere, where to stay in Benidorm.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some of the most common questions when planning a stay in Calpe.
What is the best area to stay in Calpe?
It depends on your trip. Arenal-Bol is the most convenient area: you can walk to the urban beach, seafront promenade, restaurants and old town, without needing a car. La Fossa, north of the Peñón, is a little quieter and looks directly onto the rock. Maryvilla, Mascarat and Puerto Blanco have private-pool villas near small coves, making them a good fit for families and large groups, though you’ll need a car to get around.
Do you need a car to stay in Calpe?
Not if you stay near Arenal-Bol, La Fossa or the port: the centre, beaches and Peñón are all within walking distance. You can get there on TRAM line 9, which connects Benidorm and Dénia with a stop in Calpe, and connects in Benidorm with trams heading towards Alicante. If you choose a villa in the hills or by the southern coves, a car is almost essential because of the distances and steep roads.
Can you climb the Peñón de Ifach without a reservation?
No. The nature reserve limits the number of people who can walk the trail each day, so you’ll need to book a place in advance on its website; bookings are in each visitor’s name. The route passes through a tunnel in the rock and ends at a section with fixed ropes, so wear hiking shoes and bring water. The route beyond the tunnel is not suitable for children, and in summer it’s best to set off early.
When is the best time to visit Calpe?
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons: the sea is warm, there’s room on the beaches and the climb up the Peñón is less tiring. July and August bring more visitors and hotter weather, but also a livelier atmosphere. If you’re interested in local festivals, Castell a la Mar takes place over the bay on 5 August, and the Moors and Christians festival is held every October. Book well ahead for these dates.
Is a villa or a hotel better in Calpe?
A villa can be good value for groups and large families: you’ll find houses with five or seven bedrooms, private pools and equipped kitchens, near coves such as Les Urques. They often require a deposit, set check-in times and prohibit parties. For couples or short stays, a hotel near Arenal-Bol is more convenient, with a restaurant, pool and beach just a few steps away, so you won’t need to drive or take care of anything.
