Independent guides to living and studying in Europe
City Cards · Costa Blanca, Alicante province · Calpe
City Card No. 19 · COSTA BLANCA NORTH
Calpe
A compact, very international seaside town under the Peñón de Ifach.
POCKET GUIDE: THE COAST ROAD THROUGH CALPE
Population
27,600, about half foreign
Airport
Alicante (ALC), about an hour
Train
TRAM line 9 along the coast
Landmark
The Peñón de Ifach natural park
The short version
Small, sunny and international, with everything you need in walking distance.
Calpe wraps around the Peñón de Ifach, a 332-metre rock rising straight out of the sea. Almost half of residents were born abroad, so English and other languages are everywhere.
The town has two beaches, a working fishing port with a daily fish auction, and the TRAM to Benidorm, Altea and Dénia.
Calpe suits you if
- You want a walkable seaside town with international neighbours
- You are retiring or working remotely
- You want Altea, Benidorm and Dénia close by
Look elsewhere if
- You want a big Spanish city around you
- You want low rents (Calpe is one of the pricier coastal towns)
Money
What living here costs
| Item | Typical cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Flat of 60 m² | €900 a month |
| Family flat of 90 m² | €1,350 a month |
| Utilities and internet | €110–170 a month |
Flat sizes use asking rents on idealista for September 2026 (Calpe €15.0 per m²; Spain average €15.1). Signed rents are often a little lower, and furnished, sea-view or new-build homes cost more. Other figures are indicative ranges for planning, not quotes.
Where people live
Where newcomers usually look.
Arenal-Bol
The main town beach, with flats and promenade life.
La Fossa
The quieter beach on the other side of the rock.
The port
Fish market, restaurants and local life.
The trade-off
Busy in summer, and higher rents.
High-rise blocks line the beaches, and July and August are crowded. Rents have risen quickly.
Guides for this area
N-332 Coast Road, North €1.99
Costa Blanca Back Roads (4 routes) €6.99
Retiring to the Costa Blanca €12.99
Weighing Calpe?
Calpe, Altea or Jávea?
Start with a free discovery call. We tell you honestly whether it is worth going further.
Coaching and guidance only, not legal advice. Not an immigration lawyer or agent.