Calpe Factfile -
Location: Northern Costa Blanca, Spain. Marina Alta district, province of Alicante, Comunidad de Valencia.
Population: 26,382
Postcode: 03710
Calpe History: Originally settled by the Iberians (ancient Spanish peoples), Calpe was later the site of a Roman fish-salting factory (located at Los Banos de Reina). Controlled by the Moors during the Arab occupation of the Iberian Peninsular (8th to 13th Centuries), the Castle of Calpe was built at this time to defend the town against the Christian reconquest, but finally fell in about 1240 to forces under Jaime I of Aragon. After the destruction of a small town called Ifach (built on the towering Penon de Ifach rock) a community was founded in a farmhouse overlooking Calpe bay - this developed into the town now called Calpe. The town was sacked by Barbary pirates in 1637 and mnay of its inhabitants taken to Algiers, where they remained prisoners for 5 years. The original walled town was extended during the 17th and 18th centuries as the population increased around an ecomony based mostly on fishing and salt production. The growth of tourism began back in the 1930's and has continued to grow ever since, ultimately becoming the main source of income for the town
Overview: A popular tourist destination renowned for its spectacular Penon de Ifach rock formation which dominates the skyline of the town, Calpe has some excellent sandy beaches and a good selection of hotels and holiday rental accommodation. Enjoying a typical temperate Mediterranean climate it is a perfect holiday destination and is ideal for a winter break as well as the traditional summer holiday.
Calpe Fiestas and Festivals: Calpe of course celebrates numerous fiestas and festivals throughout the year and these include the Easter celebrations (Semana Santa), the Hogueras de San Juan, bonfire festival in June, the Midsummer Festival (June), the Moors and Christians Festival in October, the fiesta in honour of Calpe's patron saint La Virgen de las Nieves in August, and of course the Christmas celebrations.
Economy: Tourism, fishing.
Calpe Tourist Attractions - Places of Interest: The Penon de Ifach rock formation which rises from the Bay of Calpe to a height of 330m, it is possible to climb to the top but visitor number are limited, so arrive early, the fishing port where you can watch the daily fish market (La Lonja), the promenade where you will find remains of the roman fish-salting factory - Los Banos de Reina (Queen's Baths), the Festival Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Parish Church of Nuestra Seņora de la Nieves, the Hermitage of San Salvador and Mariners Square. Most of the interesting places to visit in Calpe are centred around the old town, outside of Calpe there is also plenty to see and do and a trip to Guadalest is certainly worthwhile, where its ancient Castillo (Castle) stands in a seemingly inaccessible place. The huge resort of benidorm is also nearby and here you will find plenty of fun for all the family with lots of fun theme parks and plenty of night-time entertainment.
Location: Northern Costa Blanca, Spain. Marina Alta district, province of Alicante, Comunidad de Valencia.
Population: 26,382
Postcode: 03710
Calpe History: Originally settled by the Iberians (ancient Spanish peoples), Calpe was later the site of a Roman fish-salting factory (located at Los Banos de Reina). Controlled by the Moors during the Arab occupation of the Iberian Peninsular (8th to 13th Centuries), the Castle of Calpe was built at this time to defend the town against the Christian reconquest, but finally fell in about 1240 to forces under Jaime I of Aragon. After the destruction of a small town called Ifach (built on the towering Penon de Ifach rock) a community was founded in a farmhouse overlooking Calpe bay - this developed into the town now called Calpe. The town was sacked by Barbary pirates in 1637 and mnay of its inhabitants taken to Algiers, where they remained prisoners for 5 years. The original walled town was extended during the 17th and 18th centuries as the population increased around an ecomony based mostly on fishing and salt production. The growth of tourism began back in the 1930's and has continued to grow ever since, ultimately becoming the main source of income for the town
Overview: A popular tourist destination renowned for its spectacular Penon de Ifach rock formation which dominates the skyline of the town, Calpe has some excellent sandy beaches and a good selection of hotels and holiday rental accommodation. Enjoying a typical temperate Mediterranean climate it is a perfect holiday destination and is ideal for a winter break as well as the traditional summer holiday.
Calpe Fiestas and Festivals: Calpe of course celebrates numerous fiestas and festivals throughout the year and these include the Easter celebrations (Semana Santa), the Hogueras de San Juan, bonfire festival in June, the Midsummer Festival (June), the Moors and Christians Festival in October, the fiesta in honour of Calpe's patron saint La Virgen de las Nieves in August, and of course the Christmas celebrations.
Economy: Tourism, fishing.
Calpe Tourist Attractions - Places of Interest: The Penon de Ifach rock formation which rises from the Bay of Calpe to a height of 330m, it is possible to climb to the top but visitor number are limited, so arrive early, the fishing port where you can watch the daily fish market (La Lonja), the promenade where you will find remains of the roman fish-salting factory - Los Banos de Reina (Queen's Baths), the Festival Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Parish Church of Nuestra Seņora de la Nieves, the Hermitage of San Salvador and Mariners Square. Most of the interesting places to visit in Calpe are centred around the old town, outside of Calpe there is also plenty to see and do and a trip to Guadalest is certainly worthwhile, where its ancient Castillo (Castle) stands in a seemingly inaccessible place. The huge resort of benidorm is also nearby and here you will find plenty of fun for all the family with lots of fun theme parks and plenty of night-time entertainment.
© My Costa Blanca 2008 - Calpe
Calpe
Resorts of the Costa Blanca - Calpe Spain
Calpe Spain - Information - History - Map - Property - Fiestas - Weather - Hotels - Holidays
Calpe Map:
Calpe is located north of Alicante and Benidorm about 75km from Alicante airport.
The map to the right has 'zoom' and 'pan' features which enable you to use the buttons on the top left to zoom in and get a detailed street map of Calpe, or pan around to view any number of the surrounding towns and villages which include Benidorm, Altea, Benissa, Teulada, Moraira, Guadalest, Albir, Callosa D'En Sarria and Javea.
Calpe is situated off the N-332 highway and can be accessed from the A-7 motorway (Junctions 63 and 64).
Calpe Weather: Calpe boasts a superb climate with long hours of sunshine and low rainfall, it enjoys a temperate climate all year round. Perfect for a summer holiday it is also ideal for a winter break, enjoying over 300 days of sunshine every year. Calpe has been for many years a popular area for re-location and many Brits and other nationalities have purchased homes and settled in the town in recent years. There is a good range of privately owned rental accommodation in the area.
Calpe is located north of Alicante and Benidorm about 75km from Alicante airport.
The map to the right has 'zoom' and 'pan' features which enable you to use the buttons on the top left to zoom in and get a detailed street map of Calpe, or pan around to view any number of the surrounding towns and villages which include Benidorm, Altea, Benissa, Teulada, Moraira, Guadalest, Albir, Callosa D'En Sarria and Javea.
Calpe is situated off the N-332 highway and can be accessed from the A-7 motorway (Junctions 63 and 64).
Calpe Weather: Calpe boasts a superb climate with long hours of sunshine and low rainfall, it enjoys a temperate climate all year round. Perfect for a summer holiday it is also ideal for a winter break, enjoying over 300 days of sunshine every year. Calpe has been for many years a popular area for re-location and many Brits and other nationalities have purchased homes and settled in the town in recent years. There is a good range of privately owned rental accommodation in the area.
Calpe Beaches: Calpe has some excellent sandy beaches including Playa de Fossa, a first class 'Blue Flag' beach with a good range of facilities, there is a promenade (Paseo Infanta Cristina) running the full length of the beach with a number of cocktail bars which provide a lively nightlife scene, a narrow, rocky beach called Playa Cantal Roig, is located on the other side of the Penon de Ifach, another super beach is the Playa Arenal-Bol, a 2000m long sandy beach.
Calpe Markets: The main street market in Calpe is held on Saturdays and there is a Flea Market held every Wednesday. During the summer months there are also a number of craft markets held in the old town a great place to pick up a gift or two.
Calpe Hotels - Calpe Holidays: There are a good range of hotels of all standards available for your holiday in Calpe. The best advice is to search the internet for the best deals and prices, don't forget to book your airport transfer while you are online. There are also plenty of privately owned properties available for rental in the Calpe area, you can choose from villas, houses and apartments. If you are looking to buy a holiday home in Calpe, or even a home to re-locate, there is plenty of choice in the area.
Calpe Markets: The main street market in Calpe is held on Saturdays and there is a Flea Market held every Wednesday. During the summer months there are also a number of craft markets held in the old town a great place to pick up a gift or two.
Calpe Hotels - Calpe Holidays: There are a good range of hotels of all standards available for your holiday in Calpe. The best advice is to search the internet for the best deals and prices, don't forget to book your airport transfer while you are online. There are also plenty of privately owned properties available for rental in the Calpe area, you can choose from villas, houses and apartments. If you are looking to buy a holiday home in Calpe, or even a home to re-locate, there is plenty of choice in the area.