Calpe Today

Calpe (or Calp in Valencian) is a coastal town located in the comarca of Marina Alta, in the province of Alicante, Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 23.5 km² and a population of 22 400 persons.. The town is located 67 km from the city of Alicante, lying at the foot of the Natural Park of Peñón de Ifach, (Ifach Rock).

The economy of Calpe is mainly based on tourism and fishing. Many Iberian, Roman and Arab archeological sites exist in the town, due to its strategic coastal location. Some of the most important monuments in Calpe are the ruins of Los baños de la Reina, (the queen's baths), the flooded salt flats, a bird sanctuary for migratory birds, its Gothic Catholic church and the tower of La Peça, dating from the 18th century.

Old town
Church of  Nuestra Señora de la Nieves
Iglesia Vieja (Old Church)
Torreón de la Peca (Tower and Town Walls)
Forat de la Mar (Part of the exterior wall)
Arrabal (Puchaltstr., San Roque Str., Pescadores Str.)
Fishermen's square ( Plaça dels Mariners)
Mural Mosaic, Festivities Museum, Museum of Archeology, Museum of Collectio
Calpe Port
Walk to the summit of the Rock of Ifach (marvellous panorama)
Nature Park Peñón (Natur-Room with exhibits and audiovisuals)
Promenade of the prince (Camino del Mar) 
Auctions at the Fish Market (Lonja)
Beach Area  
Modern seaside promenade (Paseo Maritimo)
Banys de la Reyna (Fish salting factory from Roman times)
Torre del Moli 
Surroundings
Salt flats (migratory birds: flamingos, herons etc)
Hermitage of  San Salvado, Hermitage la Cometa

The Rock of Ifac Nature Park

Joined to land via a narrow isthmus, the limestone Rock of Ifac  rises 332m over the sea. At its feet lies the town of Calpe, with its fishing port, tourist area and old town centre. Thriving on the rocky cliff faces of the nature park are a number of curious plant varieties, including endemic cliff plants, dwarf palms and the Phoenician juniper. Over 80 species of birds use this rock either for nesting or migrational stopovers. The views over the coast are marvellous from the top of this rock. It can be climbed using the Nature Park trail, and mountaineers have various cliff faces available for use.

Next to the rock are the Calpe Salinas, or salt flats, also making for an interesting visit. The Penyal d'Ifac Nature Room (Aula de Naturaleza