Costa Blanca Norte
Calpe
23,000 habitantes · 75 km de Alicante
The iconic Peñón de Ifach overlooks Calpe, a town that combines 14 km of coastline with a mature real estate market. Frontline beach apartments with high demand for vacation rentals, residential developments, and a villa area in La Manzanera. A very active German, Dutch, and Russian community.
Metros² medios
120 m²
Precio medio
3.180 €/m²
Rentabilidad alquiler
5,1% anual
Por qué Calpe
- Peñón de Ifach
- Playas urbanas Levante y Arenal
- Salinas naturales
Inhabitants
33,000
Price/m²
2,800 €
Airport
65 km
Sunny days
320/year
The iconic Peñón de Ifach and a leading real estate market on the Costa Blanca North
Calpe is probably the most cosmopolitan municipality on the Costa Blanca North. Under the mythical silhouette of the Peñón de Ifach (332 m of limestone rock protected as a natural park), 33,000 registered inhabitants from over 100 nationalities coexist. It is a coastal city with all urban services: private hospital, international supermarkets (Mercadona, Lidl, Aldi, Carrefour, specialized German, Polish, and Dutch supermarkets), Michelin-starred restaurants (Audrey's, Beat), and a historic weekly market. The two main beaches, La Fossa and Arenal-Bol, offer 3 km of golden sand. The historic center of Calpe retains a medieval layout, and the Baños de la Reina are visible Roman heritage. Direct A-7 communication to Alicante (50 min) and Valencia (1h 40min). The TRAM train connects to Benidorm and Denia.
Who is Calpe for?
Calpe is the perfect area for buyers who want a city but with a beach: active European retirees (Scandinavian, German, Dutch profiles), families with children in international schools, and investors seeking stable returns in tourist rentals. It is less exclusive than Moraira or Javea, but more vibrant and with real urban infrastructure year-round.
International community
~58% of the registered population is foreign (higher than the Spanish population).
Top nationalities
Services and education
International schools
- • Lady Elizabeth School (Lliber, 15 min)
- • Sierra Bernia School (Alfas del Pi, 20 min)
- • Newton College (Elche, 1h)
Hospitals
- • Hospital HLA La Vega Baja (private, Calpe center)
- • Hospital Marina Baixa (public, Villajoyosa, 25 min)
- • Benidorm Clinic (private, 20 min)
Supermarkets
- • Mercadona
- • Lidl
- • Aldi
- • Carrefour
- • German Edeka
- • Polski Sklep
- • Dutch Albert Heijn
Lifestyle
Featured beaches
- • La Fossa (Bandera Azul)
- • Arenal-Bol
- • Cala del Mallorquí
- • Cala del Penyal
Iconic restaurants
- • Audrey's (Michelin)
- • Beat (Michelin)
- • Komfort (Scandinavian cuisine)
- • Sol y Sombra (Bandera Azul restaurant)
Leisure and activities
Real Club Náutico Calpe marina (320 berths), tennis club with 8 courts, DIR and Synergym gyms, 2 nearby golf courses (Don Cayo 5 min, Bonalba 20 min), hiking in the Peñón de Ifach and along the Bernia.
Real estate investment
Calpe offers the best combination of sustained tourist demand and still affordable prices within the Costa Blanca North. 80m² beachfront apartment: €280,000-450,000. Villa with views of the Peñón: from €600,000. Penthouse in premium complexes like Coral Beach or Calpe Beach: €350,000-600,000.
Average rental yield: 6-8% gross in tourist rentals (registered VT), 3.5-4.5% for long-term stays
Price trend: +11% last 3 years (Idealista 2023-2026)
Pros and cons
Pros
- + Vibrant city year-round, not seasonal
- + Complete urban services (hospital, international supermarkets, dining)
- + Direct A-7 access + TRAM train
- + Best quality-price ratio in premium Costa Blanca North
- + Sustained tourist demand → good rental profitability
To consider
- − Overbuilding in beach area (many towers from the 80s-90s)
- − Traffic in July-August can be dense
- − Prices have risen +11% in the last 3 years, no longer 'cheap'
Calpe vs Moraira
More urban than Moraira but more accessible in price (Calpe €2,800/m², Moraira €3,600/m²). Moraira is more exclusive and residential; Calpe offers life 365 days a year.
Propiedades activas en Calpe
VILLA
2,200,000 €
898 m²
VILLA
1,099,000 €
273 m²
VILLA
925,000 €
234 m²
APARTAMENTO
620,000 €
118 m²
VILLA
1,950,000 €
410 m²
ATICO
1,407,000 €
320 m²