Calpe is a resort town on the Costa Blanca near Alicante in Valencia Community. It mixes an old fishing port with a modern marina and traditional culture with contemporary tourist facilities.

Calpe has three beautiful beaches flanked by the landmark Peñón de Ifach, a towering Mediterranean outcrop, and Les Salines De Calp salt flats — both renowned national parks.

Calpe nestles between the Ifach rock, rising 322m out of the sea and the Morro de Toix headland. Resulting in a coastline of sheltered rocky coves with pristine waters and calm bays. A port town since the Roman times, Calpe has built up around an idyllic old centre a bustling, practical resort town.

The unusual mix in topography (both flat and sea cliff habitats) attracts migrating birds and its protected parks are home to many endemic species, drawing nature enthusiasts from around the globe. The climb to the summit of Peñon d’Ifach offers spectacular views of the surrounding coastline. It’s popular with bird lovers who come to see rare species including Audouin’s gull, Eleonora’s falcon and the peregrine falcon. Whereas Las Salinas Natural Park is most famous for its colonies of flamingos. This large saltwater lagoon has a variety of wooden walkways installed to give close-up access to the birds, without having any effect on the precious ecosystem.

Calpe is a town stacked with history. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of Iberian tribes; a team of volunteers recently excavated the ruins of a Roman villa, forming part of a Roman fish factory, known as the Banys de la Reina. And its busy ports have historically been attacked by pirates, invaders and saboteurs. As a result, the old town is a patchwork of residential, commercial and defensive architecture influenced by various rulers. The Ifach golf course overlooks the ocean and you can find copious larger courses inland; boat owners can book a birth at the Real Club Náutico de Calpe. Jijona ice-cream, a nougat flavoured popular delicacy, uses locally grown almonds.