Thinking of moving to Calpe and living the good life? You're in good company. Lots of people move for the balmy Mediterranean climate, sublime scenery and buckets of culture.
The city is spread over several spacious neighbourhoods, each with a unique feel. Wondering where to live in Calpe? There are plenty of options. The centre and the old town are compact and walkable, with flats and condos based in the heart of the action. Beyond that, quieter neighbourhoods and urbanisations offer luxurious homes and villas, many with stunning views and leafy gardens. Maryvilla is the place for secluded houses near the mountains, while Arenal Bol offers sea-view villas just steps from sandy chiringuitos.
The famous Spanish steps in Calpe's pretty Old Town
Aside from different barrios, what's it like to live in Calpe? Gastronomy is a huge part of people's day-to-day lives. Whether that's doing the weekly shop in the local market and filling the fruit bowl with sun-ripened peaches, or eating out in one of the city's acclaimed restaurants. Relaxed diners take long lunches to graze on the best jamón and fusion tapas at Kplats or splash out on lobsters, oysters and sea views at Restaurante Capri.
The sea is another pillar of life. It's appreciated in countless ways: people scale Peñón de Ifach to admire it, mess about on yachts, and plunge into the fresh salty water to cool off at the end of the day. Some like to hole up on a hidden cove and listen to the growling swell, others like to pull up a rattan chair in a cool bar and watch the waves with a mojito in hand.
Life revolves around the beach in sunny Calpe
Living in Calpe: essential information
The number of people living in Calpe has been steadily increasing over the years. In 2024, the population was 26,821 according to ine.es.
This is a very popular spot for expats, although the number of British residents has fallen in recent years. 48% of the population is Spanish, and the other most common nationalities are Ukrainian, Colombian and Russian. The majority of people living in Calpe are aged between 40 and 60 years old.
Healthcare in Calpe
There are three centros de salud (health centres) in Calpe, they will be the first point of call for localised care. There is one centro de salud with a small A&E service for emergency care.
For a wider range of healthcare, Benidorm hospital is a 25-minute drive away. Public healthcare has an excellent reputation in Spain, but many people do choose to go private. Private hospital Quirónsalud Alicante is a 44-minute drive away, and Hospital HCB Benidorm is a 26-minute drive away. Check out our guide to healthcare in Spain for more information.
Working in Calpe
Today, Calpe's economy is driven by its tourism and fishing industries. Tourism, in particular, is only growing stronger. There has been a huge push for sustainable growth after the local council was awarded €2 million to push eco-friendly tourism initiatives in the area.
It's all good news for job hunters. Working in hotels, restaurants and leisure activities offers a great solution to new Calpe residents – many will be looking for people fluent in English. For jobs in hospitality, turijobs.com is the best place to start. Here, you'll find vacancies from receptionists to chefs in some of the best hotels around the city. The Costa Blanca Forum is a good place for independent job adverts, like private chefs and part-time jobs. Looking for more in-depth guidance on finding a job in Spain? Read our full guide here for a more detailed run-down, including top tips and networking advice.
Freelancers will be pleased to hear that internet speeds in Calpe are generally high. Orange offers the fastest, according to Fair Internet Report, at 186 Mbps. Remote workers can treat themselves to a private office in Coworking Calpe for €250 per month, or invest in a desk for €150 per month. The bright, centrally-located offices include access to a leafy café and high-speed internet.
Want to give the kids a fresh start by the sea? Perhaps the big move will be made easier with the number of schools to choose from in Calpe, including well-regarded public schools and private colleges.
Public institutions teach in Valencian and Spanish, the exact percentages of which depend on the establishment and the government at the time (although it's often around half and half). Colegio Azorín and El Colegio Gabriel Miró are often pop up among the best public schools in the area. Both are around a 10-minute walk from the city centre and have spacious, leafy campuses.
When it comes to private schools, Lady Elizabeth School was named by Good School Guide as the best on the Costa Blanca. It's taught mostly in English, and graduates often move on to good universities in the UK and around the world. It's a 30-minute car journey from Calpe and offers a homely boarding option. For more help with finding the right school in Spain, read our full guide here.
Transport in Calpe
The nearest airport is Alicante, which is 77km or around an hour's drive from Calpe. There are also buses that take passengers from their flight to the city, which take just under two hours.
Calpe by night
Bus services also run frequently to nearby towns such as Dénia and Xàbia, but journeys can be time consuming and a car is best for efficient journeys. If a car is the option you decide to go for, check out our guidance on driving in Spain with a UK licence.
To mooch along the coast without getting behind the wheel, there is a slow yet lovely tram called Tram Alacant which runs between Benidorm and Dénia, stopping at Calpe on the way. It takes around one hour 30 minutes to complete the scenic journey between Calpe and Benidorm, longer if you stop off at pretty seaside villages en route. Altea, with its vibrant arts scene and picturesque cobbled streets, is just 40 minutes away.
Things to do in Calpe
Hike to the top of Peñón de Ifach
The iconic Peñón de Ifach, a symbol of the Costa Blanca coastline
The enormous Peñón de Ifach dominates this 53-hectare natural park, and brave hikers can scale the beast. There is a path that winds around the steeply sloped sides, called Ruta a la Cima. Scented with lavender and wild thyme, this 4.6 km path ambles past grand pines and noisy seagulls, through a dark tunnel, and emerges on a breathtaking plateau with spectacular views all the way to Ibiza.
Sip cocktails with sea views
Sky Bar in Calpe, with views of the Peñón de Ifach of course!
Squirrelled away on the 29th floor of Estimar Calpe hotel, Sky Bar is a swish cocktail bar with stunning views of the ocean. Bagsy a sofa on the terrace, Order a zesty ginger mojito and feel your knees wobble as you peer over the balcony to the teeny streets below.
Tour the best restaurants
Foodies are well and truly spoiled in Calpe, with four Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from. Komfort is the most laid-back. Found away from the well-trodden path, this homely spot serves rustic rice dishes and has the warmest welcome. Orobianco, meanwhile, is a more traditional fine dining option. Expect crisp white tablecloths, meticulous Italian dishes and the most glorious views over the city and the sea.
Dance 'till the small hours
Bora Bora Terrace
Want to cut loose? There's a boutique club scene in Calpe, just big enough to know that there's always a party nearby when you crave it. Hot Shots is a chupitería, or a shot bar in English. Expect fun bartenders and hundreds of shots starting from €1 (some come with toasted marshmallows and whipped cream). More laid back is Bora Bora Terrace. It's easy to lose track of time on the squishy velvet sofas, where daytime cocktails transform into late-night dancing in the blink of an eye.
Laze on lovely beaches
Playa de la Fossa beach with Peñón de Ifach in the background
Beach-worshipers will do well in Calpe, there's a wide range of sandy shores to explore, from wild coves to busy bar-backed promenades. Playa de la Fossa is a sugary Blue Flag stretch. It's the main beach in Calpe with chic sea-facing bars and restaurants. Cala el Racó is quieter and more off-piste, strewn with white pebbles and drenched in pristine turquoise water.
Explore the Old Town
The colourful back streets of Calpe's Old Town
Cocooned within the modern city, Calpe's old town is a fascinating tangle of ancient streets and wonky town houses. Traverse 15th-century Torreó de la Peça to find family-owned restaurants and pretty churches; squeeze past the blue gingham tablecloths of the seafood specialists at Restaurante Casa Florencia and peep inside the Iglesia Antigua de Calp, the only example of Gothic-Mudejar architecture in the Valencian Community.
Marvel at La Muralla Roja
La Muralla Roja, based on the geometric figure of the greek cross
Architecture fans should make a beeline to this iconic building. Designed by Ricardo Bofill in 1968, La Muralla Roja is as whimsical as it is bubblegum pink. The psychedelic block of flats is a maze of stairwells and viewpoints overlooking the navy sea, some lead to the rooftop swimming pool, others to picture-perfect doorways framed by sun-baked cacti.
Expat clubs and activities in Calpe
As well as the sun and the sea, people move to Calpe to be surrounded by a vibrant community – meeting people here will be a doddle. Start with Euphoria Beach Point; this bohemian bar delivers icy cocktails to sunbathers in hammocks, and in the evening they host free salsa, bachata and merengue classes in the sand. For more waterside fun, Havanas Beach Club hosts pool yoga classes in English, and the evening pool parties are legendary. Don't miss the 5-7pm happy hour.
Restaurant in Calpe Old Town
Looking for something more laid back? Blossoming artists should investigate the watercolours class with Hilary. Her weekly meetups show budding creatives how to make masterpieces – and for just €3 a session. Galeria Lola Llinares also hosts monthly painting classes. They are in Spanish, but don't let that put you off. Sign up for €50 a month and brush up on your oil painting and your speaking skills, all while meeting like-minded people living in Calpe.
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