Calpe
Calpe: the town below the Peñón de Ifach
Calpe (Calp) is about 20 minutes’ drive from Moraira, down the coast road. Everyone knows the town for the Peñón de Ifach, the limestone rock that rises straight out of the sea in front of the promenade. But Calpe itself has more: a small old centre, a fishing harbour where you can watch the fish auction, a salt lake with flamingos and two long sandy beaches. This page is about the town; for the rock itself, see the links at the foot of the page.
The old centre
The old centre lies a little inland from the promenade. There you will find the Iglesia Antigua, the fifteenth-century old church, and the remains of the Torreó de la Peça, a medieval fortification that still has its cannon. The pedestrian lanes around it are decorated with flowers and painted walls. In summer there is a craft market in the streets of the old centre in the evening, from about 19:00.
The harbour and the fish auction
The fishing harbour sits at the foot of the Peñón. From Monday to Friday the boats are unloaded around 17:00 and the catch is auctioned in the Lonja, the fish market. The auction lasts about two hours. Visitors can watch the whole thing from a walkway inside the building, from which you see the fish passing the buyers on conveyor belts.
Lonja de Calpe (the fish auction)
When: Mon–Fri, auction from about 17:00
From Moraira: ± 20 min by car
Google Maps
There are several fish restaurants around the harbour, so you can eat straight after the auction.
Las Salinas and the Roman tanks
In the middle of town lies Las Salinas, an old salt pan that is now a valuable nature reserve. Migrating birds, and often flamingos, settle here; a path around the edge takes you past the viewing points.
On the shore are the Baños de la Reina: six basins cut into the seaside rock in Roman times, with passages and water channels. Nearby are the remains of a Roman bath house, the Termas de la Muntanyeta.
Beaches and markets
| Beach or market | Practical |
|---|---|
| Playa Arenal-Bol | A good kilometre of fine sand with calm water, along a palm-lined promenade |
| Playa de La Fossa (Levante) | The most popular beach, almost a kilometre, along the promenade |
| Saturday market | Saturday morning, around Avenida del Norte; fruit and vegetables plus clothes and household goods |
| Wednesday market | Wednesday morning on Avenida del País Valencià, with curiosities, records and second-hand goods |
Market times can change; the fruit and vegetable market has recently moved back into the streets of the historic centre. If in doubt, check the Tourist Info Calpe website.
The Peñón de Ifach
The rock is a nature park with a visitor centre of its own. For the walk to the top, the booking and what to take with you, see climbing the Peñón de Ifach. There is a general guide to the rock under Peñón de Ifach from Moraira. If you want to eat out in Calpe, see Enigma restaurant in Calpe.
Practical details for Calpe
Tourist Info Calpe Peñón
Address Avenida Ejércitos Españoles 44, 03710 Calp
Telephone +34 965 836 920
Email turismo@ajcalp.es
Website calpe.es
Opening hours Monday to Friday 8.00 to 20.00, Saturday 9.00 to 14.00
Note this office is also the information point for the Penyal d’Ifac nature park
Parking
Blue zone (centre) €1.10 an hour, three hours maximum
Orange zone (beach districts) €1.45 an hour, six hours maximum
Paying at the machine with coins or a card, or through the ElParking app; the machines give no change
Bear in mind these rates apply from December 2025 and are higher for non-residents
Climbing the Peñón: booking is compulsory
This is the most important thing to know in advance. You may only enter the nature park with a named booking, and a maximum of 300 people a day are admitted. The police may ask to see your booking on the spot.
Booking for the Parc Natural del Penyal d’Ifac
Booking parquesnaturales.gva.es, through the Tramita la reserva button
Window up to ten days ahead; one booking per person per day, in your name and not transferable
Numbers a maximum of 300 people a day
The route about 5 kilometres there and back, 300 metres of ascent, three to four hours; the summit is at 332 metres
Difficulty as far as the tunnel it is surfaced and easy; after that it runs over smooth, polished rock and is for adults only
Take with you sturdy walking shoes, water and weatherproof clothing
Opening hours of what you will see
Museo del Coleccionismo
Where in the Torreó de la Peça, the little tower in the old centre
1 July to 15 September 10.00 to 13.00 and 18.30 to 22.00; closed Monday and Tuesday
15 September to 30 June 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.00; closed Sunday and Monday
Baños de la Reina
Freely accessible the Roman fish tanks on the shore, by the Paseo Marítimo Infanta Elena, can simply be looked at
On a guided tour the walled site with the villa and the baths can only be visited on a guided tour, booked in advance
Booking through the tourist office, by email turismo@ajcalp.es or by telephone on +34 965 836 920
Book first, plan afterwards
If you want to go up the rock, sort the booking out first and build your day around it. Without one you will have come to the entrance for nothing, and on fine days early in the season the quota fills up well in advance.
Below the rock of Calpe
Calpe, with the imposing Peñón de Ifach, is some 20 minutes from Calamora — one of the closest outings from Moraira.
A maximum of 4 guests may stay here (infants not included).
You will not be charged yet
Why book directly with us
- No middleman and no booking fees
- Twenty per cent today, the rest only six weeks before you travel
- Plans changed? Your payment moves with you to another date
- Personal contact with us about arrival, keys and tips
Frequently asked questions about Calpe
What is Calpe known for?
Calpe is inseparable from the Peñón de Ifach, the 332-metre rock that rises straight out of the sea and defines the town’s silhouette.
Do I have to book to climb the rock?
Yes. Book online in advance through the Parque Natural website — there is a daily limit of about 300 visitors. If you would rather not climb, you can walk around the foot of the rock or spend an afternoon on the beach.
When is the market in Calpe?
On Saturday morning (until about 14:00) there is the weekly market by Avenida del Norte, and on Wednesday a smaller flea market.
How far is Calpe from Moraira?
From Moraira it is about 20 minutes by car — one of the shortest outings there is.
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