Ready for all the best beaches in Calpe Spain? After spending one month living in Calpe, we fell in love with the beautiful white sands and cliffside views. So much so, that when we still make regular trips here after since we moved to the beautiful Costa Blanca! Here’s our complete guide Calpe beach guide, and everything you need to know before you go.
How to Get to the Beaches in Calpe
Calpe is located on the famous Costa Blanca of Spain just 45 minutes from Alicante city center. It’s also just an hour and a half from Valencia, and near other amazing towns like Benidorm, Javea, and Moraira.
If you’re flying into Alicante Airport we recommend renting a car after you land. We always use this website to book rental cars in advance and find the best deals. You can also jump on the Beniconnect bus which is an easy transfer shuttle from the airport.
Having a vehicle will allow you to get to all the best beaches in Calpe! Yet, once you get there, know that it’s easy to walk between most of the popular spots.
About the Calpe Spain Beaches
Calpe is a large coastal town in Spain that has a great mix of locals and tourists. The microclimate of the Costa Blanca makes it a year-round destination, and you will even see people swimming throughout the winter months.
Like much of the beaches in Spain, it does get busiest in the peak summer months of July and August. For that reason, our favorite time to visit the Calpe beaches is in the shoulder season. This is when you’ll find less crowds and still fantastic weather to enjoy the crystal clear waters.
There are many options for where to stay in Calpe, from luxurious Airbnbs with seaviews to budget-friendly hotels. On our first visit we stayed on Playa de la Fosa and absolutely loved it. As you’ll see below though, there many awesome accommodations on Arenal-bol beach and throughout historic Calpe Old Town.
Our Favorite Calpe Beach Hotels
Calpe Old Town: This is one of the best parts of Calpe as it’s packed with restaurants, bars, and an amazing beach. If you’re looking for a luxury stay check out Gran Hotel Sol y Mar.
It has over a 9.1 score with thousands of reviews. Also, Suitopía – Sol y Mar Suites Hotel is an incredible 4 star hotel with large balcony rooms overlooking the water.
Port of Calpe: If you’re up for somewhere outside of the downtown then Hotel Porto Calpe could be the pick for you! It’s located in the bustling port area, and nearby one of our favorite Calpe beaches. The sea views from their balcony rooms are definitely worth splurging on.
Platja de la Fossa: Most of the buildings on this lovely long beach are actually apartments. Just a block back from the beach is AR Diamante Beach Spa Hotel. Be sure to check out these apartments if you’d prefer a different style from your standard hotel room.
12 Best Beaches in Calpe Spain
Now that you know a little bit about the town, it’s time to dive right into the best Calpe beaches! Our goal was to make this Calpe beach guide easy to follow as possible. We’ll be starting at the northernmost Calpe beach and working our way down the coastline.
We’ll take you from Cala del Mallorqui, around the Peñón de Ifach rock, and south to end at Platja Mascarat. You’ll see that the beaches in Calpe are the perfect combination of small coves, and long stretches of sand that every traveler will enjoy.
1. Cala del Mallorquí
Our first magical Calpe beach is located about 20 minutes walk up the coast from the popular Playa de la Fossa. Honestly, you might miss this little cove if you were strolling by!
There is a dirt path that leads down to the rocky waters here. Be aware that this beach is completely made up of pebbles and stones. However, the advantage of Cala del Mallorqui is that you’ll likely be one of the only ones here.
It’s also a fun spot for snorkeling and great for other water sports. If you continue north, you can even stop in at the Oceana Costablanca restaurant, hit Cala les Bassetes, and the national park.
2. Cala la Calalga
Making your way down the coastline towards the town center is the stunning Cala la Calalga. This is one of our favorite beaches in Calpe to walk to as its just 10 minutes from Playa de la Fossa.
A long paved ramp takes you down to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. This is a perfect spot for nature lovers, as the small pebbles sit pleasantly under the cliffs. Once you enter the water the stones turn to soft white sand at this quiet beach.
3. Playa de la Fossa
Now for the main attraction! La Fossa Beach is one of the most popular in Calpe, and somewhere we’ve spent many days soaking in the Spanish sunshine. Playa de la Fossa is one of over 70 Blue Flag beaches in Calpe.
Fine sand stretches the entire length of the beach, with plenty of spots to lay out along the calm waters. There is a lively promenade that runs across the entire beach, with numerous restaurants serving local cuisine. You’ll also fun some lively cafes and bars to grab a drink.
Nevertheless, the undeniable feature of La Fossa is the rock of Ifach which sits high above. If you’re up for an adventure, you can actually climb to the top of Peñón de Ifach for spectacular views of the Mediterranean coast.
The first section of the hike takes you up to the castle ruins and down to Cala el Raco which we’ll share more about next. Yet, if you want to go through the cave to the peak, you’ll need to book a ticket in advance.
There is a maximum amount of visitors allowed into this section of Parque Natural del Penyal d’Ifac. Also, know that the 2nd part of the hike is for experienced hikers only.
4. Cala del Penyal
On the northeast side of the Calpe rock is a small cove reserved for the most adventurous beachgoers. To get to Cala del Penyal is no easy task! You’ll have to climb over slightly dangerous rocky section from Playa de la Fossa to get there.
The better option is to rent a kayak or stand up paddleboard and go by water. This secluded beach area (if you even want to call it that) is also clothing optional. Keep that fun fact in mind if you’re thinking about trekking over here!
5. Cala el Raco
Just around the corner from Cala del Penyal sits another small beach in Calpe. Take the short hike from Playa de la Fossa, past the castle ruins, and down to the other side of the rock of Ifach.
It will dump you out on a road that goes by the fishing port where you can walk to the end. Here there is a fun beach bar called Xiringuito del Racó which is great for an ice-cold beer on a hot day.
The actual beach is rocky so be sure to bring some water shoes if you’re taking a dip in. From here, you can also take a walkway which goes around the bottom part of Peñón de Ifach.
6. Playa de Cantal Roig
By now you can see the beaches in Calpe offer an abundance of small pebbly coves to explore. However, this next stretch which runs along a long paved walkway will give you much more room to spread out!
If you walk from Cala el Racó going in the other direction you’ll pass through the Calpe port. This is where the local fish market is, as well as a ton of great seafood restaurants on the water.
After the port you’ll find Playa de Cantal Roig which is a great place to spend the afternoon! This is a calm beach where you’ll have beautiful views of Peñon d’ifach to your left.
We love setting up our umbrella here to relax. When it’s time for a coffee or glass of wine you can stop at one of the many bars at the end of the beach.
More Amazing Beaches in Calpe Spain
7. Banos de la Reina
Continuing down the coast will take you around the corner to a small beach called Cala del Morello. Just past here is a must-see historic site on your visit to the Calpe Spain beaches.
Baños de la Reina or the “Queen’s Baths,” is an ancient roman villa and hot spring that dates back over 2,000 years.The ruins are located behind the walkway on the coast. If you can believe it, only 25% of it has been excavated.
The main draw to this area is pools below. Despite the name, these were actually used to breed fish in centuries ago. Today, they make an unbelievably scenic place for a swim in Calpe!
While this is not your typical sandy Calpe beach, it’s so worth a visit as part of your vacation. The pools are the perfect place to soak as you make your way to the next beautiful beach.
8. Playa del Arenal-Bol
You’ll catch your first glimpse of Calpe Old Town as you walk away from the Queen’s Baths. This is where the famous Playa del Arenal Bol starts and stretches all the way to the city center.
Fine golden sand goes along the paved walkway, making anywhere the ideal place to lay out and catch some rays. More restaurants will start to pop up as you get closer to the main part of Calpe.
This is not only one of the most popular beaches in Calpe, but all of the Costa Blanca! Even on days where we didn’t have perfect weather, we loved taking the 30-40 minute stroll from Playa de la Fossa to Calpe Old Town.
The long sandy beach of Arenal-Bol plays host to every kind of traveler. From couples to families, and everyone in between. With its abundance of restaurants and its perfect location next to Calpe Old Town, it’s no wonder this is such a popular place to visit!
Be sure to spend plenty of time walking up the hill and through the beautiful Calpe Old Town. At the top, there is the colorful street with lots of great bars and local eateries. There’s also a tourist train you can take from the main square by the water which goes to many fun destinations around Calpe.
9. Cala de la Manzanera
Ready for more of the best Calpe beaches?? If you walk past the outstretching rocky peninsula from Arenal Bol it will take you to Cala la Manzanera.
This small Calpe beach is fun for those want to explore a little more around the old town area. You’ll need sturdy water shoes to swim here as it’s completely made up of large rocks and pebbles.
Above Cala de la Manzanera is the infamous “Red Wall” which was built by architect Ricardo Bofill in the 1970’s. This complex stands out from the more modern architecture in Calpe with its ode to North African Arabic design.
10. Playa Puerto Blanco
Hopefully, you have a car to get to these next set of Calpe beaches. Playa Puerto Blanco is 15 minutes from Arenal-Bol, but so worth the drive!
Located next to the Puerto Blanco Marina is a gorgeous sandy beach to visit. The marina protects it from waves leaving clear and calm waters that are perfect conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
This Calpe beach faces directly back towards town, giving you unbeatable views of town. There is also a fun beach bar here that’s open during the summer months.
11. Cala Les Urques
Just around the corner from Puerto Blanca is another small bay to enjoy! Parking is a little tricky, but if you get a spot head down the staircase down to the beach.
This is one of the more rocky beaches in Calpe, and popular with local residents to walk their dogs. There aren’t any bathrooms or restaurants here so keep that in mind before you go.
12. Platja Mascarat
Last but not least, we have one last spot to show you on our Calpe Spain beaches list! We recommend stopping at Mirador Morro de Toix for a spectacular view of the coastline before heading to Mascarat Beach.
This is the furthest beach from the city center and will take you about 20 minutes of driving time. Yet, once you arrive, you’ll find a glorious bay surrounded by humongous rock cliffs.
Outside of the summer months you will likely have Platja Mascarat and it’s neighboring Cala el Collao all to yourself. This the ideal beach for those looking to get away from the crowds, and take in the scenic nature of Calpe.
Things to Do Around the Calpe Beaches
So what else is there to do when you’re not at the beaches in Calpe Spain? We’ve mentioned some of our favorite activities already, which include a visit to Calpe Old Town, walking along the many boardwalks, and taking in the views.
If you love outdoor activities, then Calpe is such a great spot to visit on vacation! Aside from snorkeling and scuba diving, you can rent a bicycle, go for a hike, or even go paragliding from the top of Peñón de Ifach.
Directly behind Playa de la Fossa is Las Salinas, an ancient roman salt lake where you can see pink flamingos. You’ll also want to eat delicious seafood and tapas at the many restaurants. Check out more of the best things to do in Calpe here.
Have any questions about this article or want to share your own favorite beaches in Calpe? Leave us a comment below.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
PIN FOR LATER ↓
We’re planning a trip to spain later this year and some of these spots are definitely going on my list! Thanks!
Author
You’re welcome! So many beautiful beaches in Calpe Spain to enjoy.