Spanish
Cities and Towns
Once you have selected your preferred
region of Spain read up on some of the towns and cities to
narrow your choice for a property purchase. The most popular
of these are described in the following pages.
Alicante,
Almeria,
Altea,
Andalusia,
Aspe,
Barcelona,
Baza,
Benalmadena,
Benidorm,
Benitachell,
Blanes,
Calpe,
Cartegena,
Castilla la Macha,
Catalonia,
Crevillent,
Denia,
Elche,
Estepona,
Fuengirola,
Granada,
Guadix,
La Romana,
La Vega Baja,
Lorca,
Malaga,
Mar Menor,
Marbella,
Mazarron,
Mijas,
Murcia,
Nerja,
Orihuela,
Puerto Banus,
Quesada,
Salinas,
Salou,
Sitges,
Sotogrande,
Spanish regions,
Tabarca,
Taberno,
Tarragona,
Torremolinos,
Torrevieja,
Tossa del Mar,
Valencia,
Valencian Community,
Zurgena
Calpe
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 known as Peñon d'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 it's 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 (Queen's 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 it's 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.
Recreation in Calpe
Tenis Club, tel 96 583 08 20. More than 5 courts, swimming
pool, restaurant, gardens and much more.
Windsurf, kayaks and catamarans for hire, with or without
lessons.
Tel 96 583 83 10.
Cruise along the Benidorm coast. Leaves Calpe at 12.00 midday.
Underwater vision with a glass-bottom boat. departs at 10am
and every hour thereafter.
There are very few ancient remains to
be seen in Calpe today but the most impressive, and unusual
have to be those actually located on the beach ! Here you
will see wonderful remains of a Roman villa, believed to be
part of a fish farm. You can actually walk over them and swim
alongside the Roman walls.
Calpe would make an ideal base for a coastal holiday or even
a side step from Alicante or Benidorm.
The paseo maritimo is long and clean,
lined with bars and restaurants of all descriptions. The sea
is clear and clean with golden sandy beaches. The blue flag
beaches are safe for the young ones, making it a true, family
resort.
The town is easy to get to via the main highways although
the centre is very difficult to navigate so best park on the
outskirts.
Calpe has a good English community with
many English people making this their retirement location.
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