Day trip to Calpe
A day trip to Calpe is easy to plan from Moraira: the CV-746 coast road gets you there in about twenty minutes, and the bus takes you without changing. This page gives a practical plan for the day: what to do in which order, what to arrange in advance and how to round the day off.
Your day in Calpe: route and planning
The most important thing to know in advance: anyone who wants to climb the Peñón de Ifach to the top has to book online. Without a booking you get no further than the gate at the start of the path. If you would rather not climb, Calpe is worth a full day without the summit too, with the salt flat, the Roman remains by the sea, the beaches and the fishing harbour.
Getting there from Moraira
By car you follow the CV-746, the coast road past the coves of Benissa. The distance is about 13 kilometres and the drive takes roughly twenty minutes. Without a car, take Autobuses Ifach line L3 from Moraira towards Calpe; the journey takes about half an hour. Check the current timetable with Tourist Info or on the page about public transport in Moraira before you set off.
An example plan for the day
| Time | What | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| morning | Peñón de Ifach: walk or climb | start early, before the heat; bring your booking |
| late morning | Salinas de Calpe | birdwatching path around the salt flat, a chance of flamingos |
| afternoon | lunch and beach | Playa de la Fossa or Playa del Arenal-Bol |
| late afternoon | Baños de la Reina | Roman remains by the sea, close to Arenal-Bol |
| around 17:00 (Mon to Fri) | fish auction in the harbour | watch from the walkway in the Lonja |
Morning: the Peñón de Ifach
The 332-metre rock is a protected nature park. For the part beyond the access gate there is a daily maximum of 300 visitors and a compulsory, named booking through the website of the Generalitat Valenciana. The path as far as the tunnel is manageable; after that it gets steep and the limestone is slippery in many places. Allow half a day there and back. Full information on the route, the booking and what to bring is under the climb of the Peñón de Ifach and on the page about the Peñón de Ifach as a sight.
Late morning: the Salinas de Calpe
In the middle of the town lies an old salt lagoon, still in use for salt extraction until the late nineteen-eighties. An accessible birdwatching path runs around the lagoon; flamingos are its best-known residents. A good, quiet stop after the climb.
Afternoon: lunch and beach
On either side of the rock are Calpe’s two large beaches: Playa de la Fossa on the north side and Playa del Arenal-Bol on the town side. Both hold the Blue Flag in 2026. Close to Arenal-Bol are the Baños de la Reina, the remains of a Roman settlement with fish basins cut into the rock. More beaches in the area are under beaches near Moraira.
Late afternoon: the fish auction
If you stay until the end of the afternoon, walk to the fishing harbour. On weekdays the fish auction starts around 17:00 and lasts about two hours. Visitors can follow the bidding from a walkway in the Lonja. After that, eating at one of the fish restaurants around the harbour is the obvious next step.
Market day in Calpe
On Saturday Calpe holds its big weekly market. Handy if you want to take the market in, but allow for extra crowds and less parking. There is no fish auction at the weekend.
Practical tips
- Book well in advance if you want to reach the top, certainly during Easter week and in July and August.
- Parking: space at the rock is limited; you could park at the Salinas and walk the last stretch.
- Bring water: there are no facilities on the path to the top.
- Combine it with the coast: on the way back along the CV-746 you pass the coves of Benissa, such as Cala Baladrar and Cala de l’Advocat, for a late dip. More about the town itself is on the page about Calpe.
Staying at Calamora in Moraira
Calpe is 12 km from Calamora – ideal for a day trip. Discover the Peñón de Ifach, enjoy fresh fish by the harbour and the beach, and return in the evening to your comfortable apartment with a terrace and pool in the heart of 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
How far is Calpe from Moraira and how long does the drive take?
Calpe is about 12 km from Moraira. By car you are there in ± 20 minutes via the CV-746. There is also a local bus. That makes Calpe the perfect destination for a relaxed day out, optionally combined with a walk along the coastal path.
What is the Peñón de Ifach and can anyone go up?
The Peñón de Ifach is an imposing rock formation 332 metres high that defines the silhouette of Calpe. There is a marked footpath to the top through a tunnel in the rock. The climb takes ± 1.5 hours one way and is demanding but feasible for reasonably fit walkers in proper footwear. The climb is free, but booking is compulsory: there is a daily limit of around 300 visitors and you can only register online in advance via the website of the Parque Natural.
What is there to see in Calpe besides the Peñón?
Calpe offers more than the Peñón: the old Medina (the Moorish quarter), Las Salinas de Calpe (a salt lake in the middle of the town where flamingos often stand), the fishing harbour with its fresh fish market, the lively centre with shops and restaurants, and a number of fine beaches such as Playa de la Fossa and Playa del Arenal-Bol.
Is there parking in Calpe at the Peñón de Ifach?
Yes, there is a paid car park at the foot of the Peñón. In summer it fills up quickly; come before 9 or use one of the car parks in the centre and walk to the Peñón (± 15 minutes). Payment by credit card is possible.
Can I combine Calpe with a day on the beach?
Certainly. Playa de la Fossa in Calpe is a long sandy beach with every facility, right beside the Peñón. Plan the walk to the Peñón early in the morning and spend the afternoon on the beach. Or combine the day trip with a snorkelling stop at Cala Fustera or Les Bassetes on the way.
Which restaurant would you recommend in Calpe for fresh fish?
Calpe is known for its fresh fish and seafood. By the fishing harbour you will find restaurants that buy straight from the local fleet. Arroces (rice dishes) and grilled fish are typical specialities. Book a table on busy days, certainly in summer.
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