Two weeks in, and we’ve been soaking up the Spanish sun while getting to know Moraira and its surroundings. With work claiming four days a week, I make every moment of my free time count—like our visit to Calpe.

A trip to Calpe

Calpe is famous for Peñon de Ifach, a towering 337-meter limestone rock that juts out dramatically into the sea. I love natural formations like this—El Montgó is another favorite, so is Pic de Bugarach in France and after years in Australia, I have to include Ayers Rock.

Fun fact: the view of Peñon de Ifach from Moraira is actually better than the one from Calpe itself!

Calpe is home to around 30,000 residents, half of whom are expats, mostly Brits and Germans. Someone told me “If you shop for a property, the agent will tell you how many English speaking professionals there are”.

First impressions

The town boasts wide beaches, a charming old town, and plenty of beachfront cafés. But it’s also high-rise central, giving off a Benidorm or Australian Gold Coast vibe. The area is a true cycling paradise, attracting both amateurs and pro teams—great for cycling fans, not so great when you’re stuck behind a peloton on a winding road.

Coffee in Calpe? About 2 euros. But the real win? A massive slice of birthday cheesecake for an absolute bargain, enjoyed right on the beach. Now that is the kind of research I’m happy to do!

We wandered through a surprisingly quiet town, with many eateries and bars still closed for the season. I’d love to come back later in the day or closer to peak season to see it in full swing.

What I Think of Calpe

• You don’t get the feeling you are in Spain. You could be anywhere.
• You hear mostly North European languages.
• It feels restricted because of the high rise. It must be horrible to build a house on a nearby hill to see the next tower develop and block your sea view.

Defining what we want

While Calpe or any place that looks like this, has its perks, it doesn’t quite feel like Spain to me. The old town has charm, but the touristy areas could be anywhere in the world. I get why people love it—the beaches, the weather, the lifestyle—but I’m craving more authenticity. I want to hear Spanish, smell sizzling tapas, and feel like I’m in Spain, not just visiting a sunny outpost of Northern Europe.

When we bought our house in France, we had a checklist list with clear criteria. Now, it’s time to create one for Spain: size, culture, local life, and proximity to the coast

Calpe has helped refine our search—we want a place that feels Spanish. Maybe it’s time to head inland and see what hidden gems we can find and where Spain still feels like Spain.

Share your thoughts

Last but not least—don’t forget to comment! It helps others find my blog, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Also, if you have any tips, send them my way!

On another note, if you like my pictures, you can find more in my new Etsy shop.

Stay tuned

Marijke