Solana Spanish Properties, Altea, Spain

Calpe, an attractive, bustling old town with wide avenues where modern and old architecture sit side by side, was a popular venue in the 1930's for writers such as Hemingway. Calpe is dominated by the Penon de Ifach, the highest rock in the Mediterranean and which divides Calpe's beach in two.

This limestone rock is 332 metres high, and extends one kilometre into the sea, forming an outstanding geological feature. In 1987, it was declared a Natural Park to preserve its unique ecological treasures such as the Ifach carnation. One of the best views of the Costa Blanca can be enjoyed from the top of the rock, which is renowned by climbers for its difficult and unique features, although it can be climbed by several routes of varying difficulty.

On either side of the rock are the wonderful Levante and Arenal sandy beaches, and to the south is the famous Calpe fish market. The fishing boats deliver their catch each day and sell it in public auctions on the quay. And around the harbour, the local excellent restaurants display the raw fish for you to select for your meal.

Between Les Bassetes and the Morro de Toix there are 11 kilometres of sandy beaches, which include coves such as La Manzanera and Les Urques, where you can scuba diving and fish. The Cueva dels Coloms in the Morro de Toix, which faces towards Altea, is a freshwater cave only accessible from the sea.

Calpe's fabulous, clean beaches are flanked by restaurants, bars and clubs offering a great range of food, drink and entertainment.

The town is nearly three thousand years old and it still retains a sense of history and tradition. The earliest archaeological findings, dating from the prehistoric Iberian tribes, were found at the base of Ifach cliffs. The town was subsequently colonised by the Phoenicians and Romans, and their remains can still be seen today at the foot of the Penon, including The Queen's Baths, the site of a Roman "factory" for drying and salting fish.

The Christians and Moslems lived together peacefully, despite many attacks from pirates between the 14th and 17th century. The town gradually retreated further inland for greater protection from the pirates, and protective perimeter walls were built. Today, the only remaining sections of these walls are the Peça Tower next to the church, which is the only example of a Mudejar-Gothic style church in the entire Valencian Region.

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