Tantalizing beaches in a tiny village with a tumultuous past
For a small fishing village, Calp sure knows how to draw a crowd. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times by Iberians, Romans, Visigoths, and Arabs. Oh, and don't forget the Christian crusaders and plundering pirates. A Calp vacation rental will give you access to the beautiful ruins of Calp's action-packed history, all bordered by some of Spain's loveliest and best-loved beaches. The town is hot and teeming in summer, cool and quiet in winter, and welcoming to visitors and photogenic seabirds all year round.
Get your beach bronze, then explore the Bronze Age
Foreign invasions and pirate kidnappings have left Calp with some fascinating ruins. History buffs can check out the Torre del Castellet, the remains of a 16th-century watchtower built to help locals spot Barbary pirates out at sea. There's also the Banys de la Reina, used in Roman times for farming fish and salt production, and its adjacent Museu de Historia i Arqueologia, which displays artifacts from as far back as the Bronze Age. Even the art museums take you back in time, like the Museu del Coleccionismo. Its rotating exhibits are located in the walls of a former fortress.
For sun worshippers, the White Coast is the right coast
Set on the world-renowned Costa Blanca, Calp's white sandy beaches are the place to be. Its 2 most popular beaches are equipped with lifeguards, lounge chairs, and umbrellas in summer, and feature pleasant seaside promenades lined with shops and restaurants. Travel west of these to Playa Puerto Blanco, a stretch of pebbly coastline that attracts sunbathers looking for a quieter place to just chill out. Shoppers will love the local flea market and Lonja de Pescado, the daily auction where fishermen toss their freshest catch to the highest bidder.
Every day on Calp is another day of sun
The best time to book a Calp vacation rental is—take a guess—any time. Mild temperatures rule the land, and there are a meager 20 days of rain per year on average. The months of June through September feature the best beach weather, with temperatures in the 80s, but you can take advantage of the same sunny skies and lower prices in April and May. The best bargains (and thinner crowds) are to be had between October and March. Temperatures will be in the 50s, so bring your wetsuit if you fancy a brisk swim.
Birds look pretty in pink on the shores of Calp
With beaches this lovely, it's no wonder that Calp attracts more than just humans. For a glimpse of some feathered friends, travelers head to Las Salinas Nature Reserve and National Park. Its saltwater lagoon is criss-crossed with wooden walkways that take you up close to the park's vibrant flamingo colonies. And no matter where your Calp vacation rental is located, you'll likely have a view of the Penon de Ifach, a huge limestone outcrop that juts straight out of the sea and dominates the local skyline. It's a nature reserve, too, and ideal for hiking and birdwatching.