www.calpevillarentals.co.uk

At the heart of the Costa Blanca, within the region of Valencia lies an ancient fishing village, now a tourist magnet by the name of Calpe.

 

Calpe sits in an ideal location, easily accessed by the A7 motorway and the N332 that runs from Valencia to Alicante. Calpe is dominated by the towering rock of Ifach which reaches to an impressive 332m and is now a nature reserve. The summit of the rock is reached by means of a tunnel through the rock. From here, magnificent panoramic views can be had. On a clear day, the island of Ibiza is visible.

 

Calpe has a wonderful mixture of old Valencian culture and modern tourist trappings, perfectly harmonising providing an ideal base from which to explore the local area or enjoy on the many beaches. Calpe alone has three of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the coast.

 

Calpe is a town rich in history and culture and its strategic position on the coast has attracted many voyagers and settlers throughout history.

 

Remains of Iberian tribes have been found around the town and later, the Romans founded a prosperous colony whose main activity was dried, salted fish. Christians and Moors lived peacefuly for a time but were subjected to attacks by pirates during the 14th-17th centuries. The peace of the 18th century enabled Calpe to regenerate and form the current tourist location.When it comes to sightseeing, the ancient town centre, next to the Moorish quarter is a good place to start. The old town walls and the church known as Iglesia Vieja are well worth seeing. This church is the only remaining example of Mudejar-Gothic architecture within Valencia. Alongside the modern Paseo Maritimo are the recently discovered remains of a Roman villa, once forming part of the Roman fish factory, known as the Banys de la Reina (Queens Bath). Overlooking the Mascarat ravine are the ruins of the Moorish Castle of Calpe and all over the local countryside are the typical rui-rau country houses, with arched porticos for raisin drying.

 

The town centre is also home to the Museum of Archeology and the Fiestas Museum.

 

Calpe has a wonderful modern marina that sits alongside the old fishing port. From here it is possible to take boat rides around the rock and to the nearby resort of Benidorm.

 

The port has a nautical club and facilities for yachting, windsurfing and water skiing. If its dry-land sports you want then the rock of Ifach offers climbing facilities. One of the best ways to glimps the local coastline is by means of the narrow guage railway that runs from Alicante to Denia, stopping at Calpe.

 

Calpe has several tourist information centres, all of which are very helpful and will provide you with information about the whole of the region.

 

Calpe

Access: Motorway A7 exits 63 and 64. National N332 Valencia, Calpe, Alicante, Altea - Alicante.

 

Alicante airport "El Altet" 70km.

 

Railway "Trenet de la Marina" Denia - Alicante.

 

Nature: The Peñon de Ifach (Rock of Ifach) nature reserve. If you're feeling fit there's a path to the summit. The Salinas: A natural salt lake with Flamingos and Herons.

 

Restaurants: 168 including traditional Valencia, Calpe, Alicante, Altean (typical dishes - "Cruet de Peix", "Putxero amb Pilotes", "Fideua"), Greek, Lebanese, Dutch, German, Indian, Chinese etc.

 

Sports: Sailing - Calpe yacht harbour. Max. 5m. Golf - Golf Don Cayo. Panoramic views of the mediterranean. 3078m, 9 holes, par 36. Urbanizacion Sierra de Altea. Club de Golf Ifach. Panoramic sea views from the clubhouse. 3406m, 9 holes, par 60. Urbanizacion San Jaime. Tennis - Calpe Tennis Club. 6 clay courts open to the public. Altea Hills Tennis Club. 4 clay courts open to the public. Mountain Walking - The "Costa Blanca Mountain Walkers". Twice a week with an easier walk on Saturday. Scuba diving - Puerto Blanca harbour. Urbanizacion Maryvilla. Specialized shop and diving club. Basetes harbour.

 

Fiesta calendar: January 5th - The Three Kings. The children receive their presents from the three kings at the Plaza Colon. March 19th - "Fallas" Giant papier-mache statues on satirical themes that are ceremonially burnt. June 24th - "San Juan" Hogueras de San Juan. Chapel of La Cometa. July 16th - "Fiesta de Carmen" in honour of the Virgin and in remembrance of fishermen lost at sea. August 5th - "Virgen de las Nieves". A centurys old fiesta with an impressive firework display. Offering flowers to the Virgin. October 9th - German Beer Festival. Beer and music with German bands. End October - "Moors and Christians" in honour of the "Santisimo Cristo del Sudor" patron saint of Calpe since 1682. Starts with an invasion of the beach by the Moors. Defense of the town by the Christians with a gun battle. The locals are members of Christian or Moorish clubs "filas" eg. Almogávares, Almorávides", "Templaris" and dress up accordingly. Spectacular firework display and parade.

 

History: Calpe has been inhabited since the earliest times and until recently has made its living from fishing and almond and olive crops. It occupies a strategic position on the coast (the Peñon and Mascarat pass). B.C.: Neolithic, Iberians, Phoenicians, Carthaginians. A.D.: Romans, Visigoths, Arabs/Moorish until the 1254 Christian re conquest by Jaime of Aragon. The coast was attacked by North African pirates until the 17th century, accounting for the town walls and watchtower.