Moraira Jávea Dénia Fonts de l’Algar El Castell de Guadalest Altea Villajoyosa Benidorm Alicante Day Trips Calpe sits on Spain’s Costa Blanca, with the Peñón de Ifach visible from much of the coast. A rental car opens up short drives to Moraira, Guadalest, Altea, Benidorm, Dénia, and Alicante. Spain’s road network around Calpe is simple to use if you know the main routes. The AP-7 is the faster motorway, while the N-332 is toll-free and passes through more towns. In summer, those differences can mean a 20- to 40-minute swing on the same journey. 💡 Tip: Download offline maps for the Costa Blanca before you leave Calpe. Mobile coverage is generally good, but mountain roads near Guadalest can be patchier than the coast. ⚠️ Warning: blue-lined parking bays are usually paid and time-limited. Look for the local meter instructions before you leave the car, especially in busy centres such as Alicante airport returns. Roundabouts are common, and traffic already circulating has priority. Google Maps and Waze both work well in the area, but signs can be clearer for major roads than for old-town car parks. If you are staying near the N-332, you can usually join the coast road without using the AP-7. Road or parking term Meaning Practical use AP-7 Toll motorway Best for the quickest southbound runs to Benidorm and Alicante N-332 Free coastal highway Better for short hops, scenery, and town access Zona Azul Paid street parking Common in town centres and near beaches Parking subterráneo Underground garage Useful for central Alicante, Dénia, Altea, and Benidorm This loop covers Moraira, Jávea, and Dénia in about 2 hours of driving and roughly 60 km. It is the best option if you want sea views, a marina stop, and a castle visit in one day. Starting early matters in July and August because parking fills quickly near the beaches. The route: Leave Calpe on the CV-746 towards Moraira, then continue via the CV-742 and CV-736 towards Jávea. From Jávea, stay on the CV-736 to Dénia. For the return, the N-332 is the easiest no-toll option, while the AP-7 is faster if you want to skip town traffic. Stop Driving from previous stop Best for Parking note Moraira 20–25 minutes Marina, beach, old town Large public car park near the centre; arrive before 11:00 in peak season Jávea (Xàbia) 20–30 minutes Beachfront, harbour, old town Use the Port gravel car park, Arenal street parking, or the Old Town underground garage Dénia 20–25 minutes Castle, harbour, shopping streets Central street parking is limited; use port parking or a garage Moraira Moraira is a compact seaside town with a marina, Playa de l’Ampolla, and the small Castillo de Moraira on the waterfront. The centre is easy to cover on foot in under an hour. If you want a relaxed first stop, this is the simplest place to park and start walking. Jávea Jávea is split into the Arenal, the Port, and the Old Town. The Arenal has the busiest beachfront, while the Port is better for a promenade walk and the Old Town for narrow historic streets. The church of San Bartolomé is the main landmark once you reach the centre. Dénia Dénia is the biggest stop on this route, with Castillo de Dénia above the town and the shopping street of Marqués de Campo below. Ferries to Ibiza depart from the harbour, so the waterfront often feels busier than Moraira or Jávea. If you only have time for one cultural stop on the northern loop, Dénia offers the most variety. 🚗 Local insight: Dénia’s port area is the most practical place to leave the car. In high season, arriving before lunch gives you a better chance of finding a garage space close to Marqués de Campo. This inland trip is about 1.5 hours of driving and roughly 50 km round trip from Calpe. It combines the Fonts de l’Algar with the hill village of Guadalest, so you get water, mountain views, and a strong contrast to the coast. The drive is short, but the road climbs and curves enough to reward slow, careful driving. The route: Take the CV-755 from Calpe towards Callosa d’en Sarrià and follow signs for Fonts de l’Algar. After the waterfalls, continue on the CV-755 up to Guadalest. The same road is the main access route for both stops, so it is easy to combine them in one outing. Stop Driving from Calpe Typical visit time Parking cost and format Fonts de l’Algar 30–40 minutes 1.5–2 hours Private paid lots, often about €5 for the day Guadalest 15–20 minutes from Algar 1–2 hours Municipal car parks at the base of the village Return to Calpe 45–60 minutes Same route back on the CV-755 Fonts de l’Algar Fonts de l’Algar is a ticketed natural area with waterfalls and cold pools for swimming. Wear water shoes or sturdy sandals because the rocks are slippery, especially near the water’s edge. In summer, the temperature of the pools is a refreshing contrast to the Costa Blanca coast. El Castell de Guadalest Guadalest sits on a rocky outcrop and is entered through a tunnel carved into the mountain. The old village, the Castell de San José, and the reservoir views are the main reasons visitors come. Several small museums add extra stops if you want to extend the visit beyond the viewpoint circuit. ⚠️ Warning: The Algar car parks are private and usually charged as flat-rate day parking. If you visit in July or August, bring small cash in case card machines are slow or unavailable. This southbound day trip is the shortest of the four, at about 1 hour total driving time and roughly 45 km round trip. It works well if you want a lighter schedule with a scenic old town in the morning and a beachfront promenade later in the day. The N-332 keeps the route simple and avoids motorway tolls. The route: Drive south from Calpe on the N-332 to Altea first. Afterward, continue on the same road past Benidorm to Villajoyosa, also known as La Vila Joiosa. Both towns are easy to combine because they sit directly along the coast road. Stop Driving from Calpe Best for Parking note Altea 20–25 minutes Old town, church dome, viewpoints Park low near the seafront and walk uphill Villajoyosa 20–25 minutes from Altea Coloured houses, promenade, chocolate factory Underground parking beneath the beach is the easiest choice Return to Calpe 30–40 minutes N-332 is the simplest route back Altea Altea’s old town is known for steep white streets and the blue-and-white dome of the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo. The upper square gives you broad views over the bay and the coastline to the north and south. Parking in the old centre is difficult, so it is better to use the seafront car parks and walk up. Villajoyosa Villajoyosa is famous for its painted fishermen’s houses along the seafront. The colourful façades were designed so returning boats could spot their owners’ homes from the water. It is also home to Valor, one of Spain’s best-known chocolate brands, with factory visits and tastings available at selected times. Town Main attraction Good parking choice Extra stop Altea Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo Underground garage near the seafront Coffee in the old town square Villajoyosa Coloured waterfront houses Car park below the central beach Valor chocolate visit Combined trip Two coastal towns in one day Park once in each town, not in the old centres Short beach walk or lunch stop This is the longest of the four routes, with about 2 hours of driving and roughly 130 km round trip. The AP-7 is the quickest option south from Calpe, especially if you want to fit both Benidorm and Alicante into one day. Because Alicante is a larger city, it helps to choose your main stop first and plan parking before you arrive. The route: Take the AP-7 south from Calpe and exit for Benidorm first. After visiting Benidorm, continue south on the AP-7 or switch to the N-332 for Alicante. If traffic is heavy, the motorway saves time on the stretch between the two cities. Stop Driving from Calpe Best for Parking note Benidorm 25–35 minutes Viewpoints, skyline, beaches Use an underground garage near the old town or main beaches Alicante 40–50 minutes from Benidorm Castle, promenade, market, old town Park near your main sight and explore on foot Return to Calpe 45–60 minutes AP-7 is usually the fastest route Benidorm Benidorm is known for its skyline, but the best short visit usually starts at the Balcón del Mediterráneo. From there, you get clear views over Levante and Poniente beaches in both directions. La Cruz de Benidorm offers a higher viewpoint if you want a wider panorama of the city and coastline. Alicante Alicante combines a harbour, a historic centre, and a castle above the city. Castillo de Santa Bárbara is the standout stop, and the Explanada de España is worth a walk for its 6.5 million marble tiles in a wave pattern. Mercado Central and El Barrio are both best explored after the car is parked. 🚗 Local insight: In Alicante, parking near Canalejas or Alfonso el Sabio is usually easier than trying to drive into the old town. Once you are parked, the castle lift, market, and promenade are all manageable on foot. The right route depends on how far you want to drive and what kind of day you want to have. Moraira, Jávea, and Dénia work best for a coastal circuit. Guadalest and the Algar Waterfalls suit visitors who want a cooler inland day, while Altea and Villajoyosa are the easiest low-stress options. Trip Total driving time Total distance Best for Northern Costa Blanca coastal drive About 2 hours About 60 km Beach towns, marina stops, castle views Guadalest and the Algar Waterfalls About 1.5 hours About 50 km Nature, swimming, mountain scenery Altea and Villajoyosa About 1 hour About 45 km Short drive, old town, colourful waterfront Benidorm and Alicante About 2 hours About 130 km City sightseeing, viewpoints, shopping, museums A rental car makes Calpe a practical base for exploring the Costa Blanca. With the AP-7, N-332, and CV-755 within easy reach, you can choose between beach towns, mountain villages, and larger cities without changing accommodation. Compare Car Rental Deals