A visit to Calpe, Spain is incomplete if you do not see the El Penon de Ilfach and do not walk through the famous Old Town. If you’re at the Old Town, you must make it a point to find and walk down the narrow streets that make up the Arrabal, the Moorish quarter located within the confines of the Old Town.

It is impossible to miss the Arrabal as this area is within walking distance from other tourist attractions in Calpe’s Old Town. The Torreo de la peca, the 15th century Iglesia Vieja, and the parish Church of Nuestra Senora de las Nieves are within the immediate environs of the Arrabal.

The Arrabal is actually the name given to the area where the Moors used to reside. The place is characterized by narrow and steep streets which are lined with small houses painted in white. What sets the Arrabal apart from the rest of Calpe’s Old Town is its streets. Unlike the other pavements in the Old Town, the Arrabal’s pavement is decorated. The streets are made up of stones which resemble the cobblestones of old, and these, together with other floral arrangements which are embedded in the street itself, form stylized images of Calpe, Greek amphorae jugs, nautical emblems such as anchors, the El Penon de Ifach and other geometric drawings.

Tha Arrabal can easily be reached simply by walking through the quaint streets of Calpe’s Old Town and making a turn at what is called the Pedro Garcia Ortiz Street. If you miss a turn, remember the names Pescadores, Puchalt and San Roque. These are street names in the Arrabal. The local residents of Calpe are familiar with these street names, and they would be more than willing to give you detailed directions on how to get there. Rest assured that you will not get lost.

Take your camera when you explore the Old City and when you reach the Arrabal take as many photos as you desire. The place really is spectacular and probably the only one of its kind in Spain and probably, the entire world.

Costa Blanca, as the name itself implies is a whole coast made up of sparkling white sand, and since Calpe is located along this magnificent coast, it goes without saying that this fishing village has its own share of beautiful beaches.

There are several beaches along Calpe. The beach of Cantal Roig and Playa Arenal are known the world over for their fine textured sand. The Playa dela Flossa, the bay of Gasparet and the Playa Levante, still within the township of Calpe, not just have white sand, but the beach is more than a kilometer wide making these ideal places for sun bathing, swimming, surfing, diving and other sea-worthy activities.

The La Manzanera and Les Urques, beaches that are located between Les Bassetes and the Morro de Toix are also worth mentioning. Apart from the traditional beach activities, a few more can be added to the list. The La Manzanera and Les Urques beaches are ideal spots for snorkeling, scuba diving and even fishing. As an additional bonus, the Cueva dels Coloms, a fresh water cave in the Morro de Toix, is a place which you can explore. The only access to Cueva dels Coloms, however, is through the sea.

These beaches have already caught the attention of many a traveler, thus during summer, these areas are usually full of people. If you do not like to feel crowded on your vacation yet would want to experience the joy of luxuriating on Calpe’s beaches, you can proceed to the beaches of Bol, Moli, Morello, Cantal Roig and Calaga. These beaches also have long stretches of white, fine-grained sand and do not get as crowded as other beaches, particularly the La Flossa.

Other beaches along Calpe that are worth mentioning include the Bays of Les Bassetes, El Canta Pla, Banos de la Reina, and Cala Gaspa.

With all of these magnificent beaches almost alongside each other on the shoreline of Calpe, it is no wonder that this little town has been gathering rave reviews from locals and foreigners alike. It truly is a place that has been blessed and deserves to be considered as one of the premier holiday destinations of the world.

If you have decided to spend your much awaited holiday basking under the sun on the golden beaches of Calpe, you should make it a point to make arrangements for you accommodations as early as possible. No, there isn’t a dearth of accommodation units in Calpe, in fact, there are many.

If you prefer to stay at hotels, there are a few good Calpe hotels located at the outskirts of the city. If you want to have a feel of the local culture, you can try staying at privately owned apartments or villas. Some holiday apartments are located at the outskirts of town, whereas some are built along the slopes of hills and mountains, giving exceptional views of the countryside (or the beach). Fronting the beach are stylish villas that date back to the 1940’s and 1950’s some of which accept guests for the holidays.

The rates charged by these privately run enterprises varies depending on the season (it goes without saying that during peak season, when rooms are very much in demand, the prices are higher) and of course, the extra amenities these places provide. If you are on a limited budget, you can search the internet for inexpensive apartments or backpackers motels. They may not be as luxurious as other places, but if all you need is a bed and a pillow on which to rest your weary head after a day of fun under the sun, then these places would suffice.

The rates of hotels, apartments, villas and other places of rest would also depend on how close (or far) these are from main places of interest such as the beach or the town proper. If you found yourself booked in a place that is not right beside the Old Town or the beach, do not fret because, there are efficient trains and reasonably priced taxis available and they can shuttle you to and from your destination.

As for their preferred payment methods, it would be best if you confirmed this matter with the hotel management or accommodation administrator, before you make the booking. Although credit cards are accepted in Calpe, there are still some places that prefer payment by cash, or do not honor the American Express credit card.