Calpe from Benidorm: Day Trip Guide

TRAM line L9 is the simplest way to Calpe: it runs north from Benidorm along the coast, passes Altea and reaches Calpe in about 35–50 minutes. It is one of the longer coastal outings in our day trips from Benidorm guide.

Trams run roughly hourly. L9 reopened end to end on 28 January 2025 after its viaducts were renewed, and Calpe station handled about 240,000 passengers in its first year. L1 goes south, so check you board L9.

Under the fares from 1 October 2026, a single costs €2.90 for two zones or €4 for three. The zone count to Calpe was not confirmed, so check at the machine. Under-14s travel free until 31 December 2026.

The Peñón de Ifach is a 332-metre limestone rock joined to the town by a narrow isthmus, and the path to its summit is the reason most people visit Calpe. The trail starts at the Penyal d'Ifac Natural Park visitor centre on C/ Isla de Formentera.

The official tourism site describes a route of about 4.6 km with medium difficulty. It climbs steeply to a tunnel cut through the rock, then becomes harder on polished limestone, with anchored ropes and chains on the final stretch. Allow 2–3 hours for the return walk at a steady pace, or up to 4 hours with stops.

The tunnel floor is slippery, especially when wet. Under-18s should not go beyond the tunnel, and nobody should continue past it in rain or fog. Carry water, as there is none on the route. Start early in summer and check the Benidorm weather in October or your month before you go.

The Salinas de Calpe are former salt pans close to the Peñón, where flamingos are often seen. Salt production stopped in 1988, and the lagoon was protected in 1993.

Flamingos are most often reported from May to September, along with migrating birds at other times of year. Keep to the marked paths around the edge.

Calpe's fish auction, La Llotja, runs in the fishing port from about 17:00, when the boats come back, and visitors can watch from the upper floor. You pay €1 at the door, which goes to the fishermen's guild, and watch the bidding below on screens linked to cameras.

The auction runs through most of the year but not in January, September or December, according to the regional tourism guide. Ask at the port if visiting at a weekend. The ground floor also works as a fishmonger selling the local catch.

The Baños de la Reina is a free Roman site on the Paseo Marítimo, about 2,000 years old, with pools cut into the rock at the water's edge. Nobody is sure whether they farmed fish or were ornamental, and the remains of a Roman villa lie alongside. People swim and snorkel there on calm days.

Calpe's small old town sits higher up and is entered through the Torreón de La Peça. Look for the Plaza de la Villa, the 15th-century Iglesia Antigua and the Forat de la Mar archway.

Calpe has two main Blue Flag town beaches, one on each side of the Peñón.

Calpe works best as a full day: climb in the morning and finish at the 17:00 auction.