The Neighborhood

Right by the sea, the Costa Blanca village of Calpe is a well-known holiday destination on Spain’s eastern coast. Just under an hour from Alicante and 30 minutes from Benidorm, it enjoys an enviable location where the views are spectacular, and the area lends itself to energetic outdoor activity as well as lounging on the beach. The centre of Calpe is well-equipped for visitors, with a supermarket, post office, bank and some specialist shops. Of course, you will find plenty of restaurants and bars, and the wide range of cuisine on offer will present no end of tempting dilemmas. Mediterranean dishes make great use of meat, fish, rice and olive oil, so there will be plenty of hearty options on most menus. The region’s wines are pretty good too and will make a great accompaniment to your meal. Among Calpe’s other amenities are a cinema, aquatic centre and a fitness centre with sauna, but there is also plenty of historic interest to see, including the ancient town walls and the Iglesia Vieja church. Look out, too, for the Fiestas Museum and Museum of Archaeology, both in the centre of town. Calpe Marina is the place to go if you fancy exploring the Costa Blanca by boat. You could also try water-skiing, windsurfing or many other aquatic activities. Twice-weekly markets give you more to explore, and the fiestas in early August and late October are not to be missed if you’re lucky enough to be around. It’s mild in Calpe even in the winter, so it’s well worth a trip even after summer has passed.