Calp beaches and coves: the complete guide
Calp has 13 kilometres of coastline and 14 beaches and coves, split in two by the Penyal d’Ifac. North of the rock lie the two big urban sandy beaches — La Fossa and, round the corner, Arenal-Bol — with promenades, beach bars and every facility. To the south, towards the Morro de Toix, the coast turns rocky and the coves get progressively wilder, some reachable only by sea.
This guide runs through them north to south along the coast, with seabed, facilities and who each one suits. In 2026 there are three Blue Flags: Cantal Roig, La Fossa and Arenal-Bol. And one important change for anyone wanting to climb the rock: you now need to book.
Comparison table
| Beach / cove | Seabed | Size | Blue Flag 2026 | Facilities | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cala Les Bassetes | Boulders and rock shelf | Small | ❌ | Marina, diving | Diving, kayaking |
| Cala del Mallorquí | Rock and boulders | Small | ❌ | None | Views of the rock’s north face |
| Cala Calalga | Sand, boulders, posidonia | Small | ❌ | Ramp access | Snorkelling |
| Levante beach (La Fossa) | Fine sand | ~1 km | ✅ | Everything; accessible | Families, water sports |
| Cala del Penyal | Rock | Small | ❌ | None | Diving and fishing |
| Cala el Racó | Gravel and boulders | ~70 m | ❌ | Lifeguard, showers, underwater trail | The best snorkelling |
| Cantal Roig beach | Sand with rocky patches | 200 m | ✅ | Lifeguard, children’s playground | Snorkelling with children |
| Cala del Morelló | Fine sand and rock | 60 m | ❌ | Lifeguard, showers, restaurants, parking | The most convenient cove |
| Arenal-Bol beach | Fine sand | 1,200 m | ✅ | Everything; accessible | The town beach |
| Cala La Manzanera | Rock and gravel, posidonia | 40 m | ❌ | Signage, bins | Photos, architecture |
| Puerto Blanco beach | Coarse sand, rock, pebbles | ~100 m | ❌ | Showers, lifeguard, dive centre | Diving |
| Cala Les Urques | Rock and posidonia | ~1 km | ❌ | None | The only dog-friendly one |
| Cala Gasparet | Wild rock, gravel, boulders | 40 m | ❌ | None; best by sea | Diving, fishing, solitude |
| Cala El Collao (Racó del Corb) | Gravel, rock, boulders | ~70 m | ❌ | None; best by sea | The quietest |
Penyal d’Ifac: booking now required
Climbing the Penyal d’Ifac is no longer a matter of turning up. The Natural Park’s governing board introduced advance booking to pass the visitor-centre turnstile towards the tunnel and the summit, with a quota of 300 visitors a day on the ascent trail. Booking is online, up to 10 days ahead, and can be requested the same day if places remain. It is personal and non-transferable, and park rangers may ask to see it.
Official recommendations: mountain footwear, clothing suited to the season and water. The park advises against taking children beyond the tunnel exit because of the danger of the path. Full details and the viewpoint guide: Penyal d’Ifac.
North of the rock
Cala Les Bassetes
On the boundary with Benissa, beside the Les Bassetes marina: boulders and a rock shelf, with a yacht club and dive centre. It is the usual launch point for dives and kayak trips towards the rock, and the southern end of the Paseo Ecológico de Benissa.
Cala del Mallorquí
Between Les Bassetes and Calalga, reached along the Voramar path. Clean water and the best perspective on the north face of the rock. Good for diving and fishing; no facilities.
Cala Calalga
Where Avenida Rosa de los Vientos meets the Infanta Cristina promenade, at the northern end of La Fossa. Sand, boulders and posidonia meadows that give away the life on the seabed: good snorkelling a step from town, with ramp access.
Levante beach (La Fossa)
Calp’s best-loved and best-known beach: nearly 1 km of fine sand with the rock as a backdrop, a promenade full of bars and restaurants, lifeguard, showers, children’s playground, sunbeds, adapted access and water sports. Blue Flag. Guide: La Fossa.
Cala del Penyal
A small cove at the foot of the rock’s north face, reached by the path skirting the park. Rock, transparent water and a diving-and-fishing atmosphere. No facilities.
South of the rock
Cala el Racó
Next to the fishing harbour, about 70 metres of gravel and boulders with lifeguard, showers and panels marking an underwater trail: it has the best seabeds in Calp for snorkelling and diving. The local ecological walking path also starts here.
Cantal Roig beach
200 metres of sand with rocky patches, between the fishing harbour and the Arenal. Blue Flag, lifeguard and children’s playground; the nearby seabed makes it excellent for introducing children to snorkelling.
Cala del Morelló
60 metres of fine sand ringed by rock, in the middle of the urban area and next to the Baños de la Reina, the Roman fish farm carved into the rock. Lifeguard, showers, restaurants, parking and a bus stop: the most convenient cove of all.
Arenal-Bol beach
1,200 metres of fine sand west of the rock, with palm trees, promenade, lifeguard, children’s playground, adapted access and water sports. Blue Flag. This is the long beach where there is always room for one more, and the one with the town’s services. At its inland end lie the Calp salt flats with their flamingos.
Cala La Manzanera
40 metres of rock and gravel with posidonia, below La Muralla Roja and Ricardo Bofill’s buildings — which is why it is Calp’s most photographed cove for social media. Packed in summer; only signage and bins.
Puerto Blanco beach
About 100 metres of coarse sand mixed with rock and pebbles, with showers, lifeguard, restaurants at the port and a dive centre. The posidonia on the seabed makes it a good dive site. Limited parking.
Cala Les Urques
Nearly 1 kilometre of quiet rocky coast with posidonia, accessed from the Maryvilla estate. Its distinguishing feature: it is the only beach in Calp where dogs are allowed.
Cala Gasparet
40 metres of wild rock, gravel and boulders, one of the most hidden in the municipality: land access is difficult and most people arrive by boat or kayak. Diving, fishing and silence.
Cala El Collao (Racó del Corb)
About 70 metres of gravel, rock and boulders below the cliffs of the Morro de Toix, at the southern tip of the municipality. Calm water and the least crowded of them all; arriving by sea is recommended.
Which one to choose
- With small children: Arenal-Bol or La Fossa (sand, facilities, accessible); Cantal Roig for easy snorkelling.
- Snorkelling and diving: Cala el Racó (underwater trail), Puerto Blanco and Les Bassetes.
- With a dog: Les Urques, the only one permitted.
- Photos: La Manzanera, below La Muralla Roja.
- Solitude: Gasparet and El Collao, best by kayak.
- Without a car: La Fossa, Cantal Roig and Morelló, all in the urban area.
Practical tips
- Water shoes at every southern cove and at El Racó.
- Parking: easy at Arenal-Bol and La Fossa outside August; scarce at Puerto Blanco and La Manzanera.
- Book the rock ahead in high season: 300 daily places run out.
- Season: June and September for stress-free swimming; the rock walk is better in spring and autumn, when the sun is kinder.
More about Calp and around
- Calp guide · Penyal d’Ifac · Baños de la Reina · Salt flats
- Calp’s fiestas, day by day: Mare de Déu de les Neus and Moors and Christians
- To the north: Benissa coves and Moraira beaches · To the south, Altea
- 🗺️ All the coves of the Costa Blanca — the index by municipality, from Dénia to El Campello