Calpe – A Lovely Example of a Typical Friendly Spanish Coastal Town

Calpe has much history & culture. Its strategic location has attracted settlers throughout the centuries & remains of Iberian tribes have been discovered around the Rock of Ifach. Later, the Romans founded a prosperous colony here. The Christians & Moors lived together peacefully for villas in bangalore a time, but suffered continual attacks by pirates during the fourteenth to the seventeenth centuries.

The ancient Arrabal Moorish quarter in the old town is framed by narrow, steep streets with small white-washed houses, decorated with flowers & with patterned stones embedded in the pavements. Here is the defensive tower – the Torreo de la Pe?�a, the town walls & the old church, the only surviving example of Mudejar-Gothic architecture in the Valencian province. Today, Calpe has many bars and restaurants with lively terraces, two old churches, museums, picturesque streets & squares. Calpe’s famous Moors & Christians festival is held in October.

Two battles are re-enacted on the beaches & there are musical acts, fireworks, food & drink for all. At the Feast of Saint Joseph in March large wooden statues are burnt at midnight to celebrate the arrival of Spring. There is a street procession, a giant paella, sardines & sangria for everyone & a firework display. The town extends northwards along the gently curving bay to the impressive Rock of Ifach, now a nature reserve and home to many rare plants.

The summit of this immense rock, towering to 332 metres, can be reached via a tunnel, and offers magnificent panoramic views – on a clear day, as far as the island of Ibiza. The long, clean promenade is lined with bars and restaurants. The sea is clear and clean, the golden sandy Blue Flag beaches which means they are certified as being clean by the European Foundation for Environmental Education and are safe for children. They are surrounded by dozens of restaurants, bars and clubs offering a wide variety of food, drink and entertainment.

Calpe is definitely a big bustling town far removed from it’s origins as a tiny fishing village. Make sure you visit the local market selling fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other locally-made goods and produce – market day in Calpe is on a Saturday. There are plenty of lovely restaurants in Calpe, especially in the old town. From Steak houses to authentic Spanish tapas and fine food establishments. Always worth trying to find the ‘Menu of the Day’ when visiting, it usually is a limited 3 course menu, but good value.