Driving Tips Picking up a rental car in Calpe opens access to the AP-7 corridor from Alicante Airport, the N-332 coastal road, and inland routes toward Xaló and the Coll de Rates. Spanish driving rules are straightforward once you know the main signs, speed limits, and parking systems. At collection, photograph or video the car’s exterior before leaving the depot. Check the fuel policy, the spare tyre or repair kit, and the location of the high-visibility vest, warning triangles, driving licence, passport, and rental agreement. In Spain, the vest should be inside the cabin so you can reach it before exiting the vehicle after a breakdown. 💡 Tip: Ask the desk agent to note any existing damage on the check-out sheet before you sign. A timestamped video of bumpers, alloy wheels, and windscreen chips is usually enough to support a dispute. Item What to check Why it matters Exterior damage Scratches, dents, wheel scuffs, windscreen chips Helps avoid charges for pre-existing damage Fuel policy Full-to-full or prepaid fuel Prevents surprise refuelling fees Safety kit 2 warning triangles, 1 high-vis vest Required equipment and useful in a breakdown Documents Licence, passport, rental agreement Needed if police or the rental desk asks for ID The AP-7 is the faster motorway for longer trips between Alicante, Benidorm, and Valencia. The N-332 stays closer to the coast and passes through Calpe, Altea, and Benissa, which makes it better for short hops and beach access. For most airport runs and long-distance journeys, the AP-7 saves time; for local sightseeing, the N-332 is usually the more practical road. 🚗 Local insight: Around Calpe, the N-332 can feel slower, but it often puts you closer to parking, restaurants, and marina access than the motorway does. Road Type Typical speed limit Best for AP-7 Toll motorway 120 km/h Alicante, Benidorm, Valencia, and longer trips N-332 National road 50-90 km/h Calpe, Altea, Benissa, and short coastal journeys CV-746 Local scenic road Varies by section Coastal detours and quieter drives toward Moraira Calpe has two very different driving environments: the beachfront areas around Arenal-Bol — see our day trips guide for inland options around Arenal-Bol and La Fossa, and the narrow streets of the old town. Avenida Gabriel Miró parking zone and the wider seafront roads are manageable in a standard hire car, but parking is often the real challenge. In the casco antiguo, one-way streets and tight corners make walking a better option once you have parked on the edge of the centre. Area Road layout Parking outlook Best approach Arenal-Bol Wide avenues Busy in peak season Arrive early or use underground parking La Fossa Beachfront roads High demand near the promenade Use marked bays and ticket machines Old town Narrow, one-way streets Very limited Park outside the centre and walk in ⚠️ Warning: Sat-nav directions are not always suitable for the old town. If a street looks too narrow for two-way traffic or has repeated one-way signs, do not force the route. The drive from Calpe to Moraira on the CV-746 is one of the most attractive coastal routes in the area. Inland, the road to Xaló and the Coll de Rates climb adds tight bends, cyclists, and stronger gradients. Use a lower gear on long descents to rely on engine braking rather than overheating the brakes. Route Approximate distance from Calpe Driving character Main caution CV-746 to Moraira About 15 km Coastal bends and sea views Slow traffic and tight curves Xaló route About 20 km Inland valley road Cyclists and changing speed limits Coll de Rates About 25 km Mountain climbing route Blind corners and steep descents For these roads, keep both hands on the wheel and avoid overtaking on blind bends. A brief horn tap before an unseen corner is common on some rural stretches, but it should be used sparingly and only when needed for safety. Most road signs in Spain follow standard European symbols, but a few markings are easy to misread. The yield sign is the inverted triangle labelled Ceda el Paso, and vehicles already on a roundabout have priority. Red-circled numbers show maximum speed limits, while a white sign with a black diagonal stripe cancels the previous restriction. Sign or marking Meaning Driver action Inverted triangle Yield / Ceda el Paso Give way to traffic already on the roundabout or priority road Red circle with number Maximum speed limit Do not exceed the posted limit Blue circle with number Minimum advised speed Maintain speed where conditions allow Blue sign with red diagonal line No parking Do not leave the vehicle there Red circle with blue cross No stopping or parking Do not stop, even briefly, unless an exception applies Spanish traffic law requires driving on the right and overtaking on the left. Unless posted otherwise, the default speed limits are 120 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on national roads, and 50 km/h in built-up areas. Many town centres now use 30 km/h limits on residential streets. 💡 Tip: If you are unsure about a limit, look for repeat signs after junctions and roundabouts. Spanish towns often restate the limit after side roads rather than relying on a single sign. Rule Standard limit or instruction Practical note Driving side Right-hand side Overtake on the left Motorways 120 km/h Applies on AP-7 and similar roads unless signed lower National roads 90 km/h Common on N-roads outside towns Urban streets 50 km/h or 30 km/h in many zones Watch for school and residential areas Alcohol 0.5 g/l blood or 0.25 mg/l breath Best practice is zero alcohol before driving Mobile phones Hands-free only Holding or using a phone while driving is illegal Parking is one of the main practical issues in Calpe and nearby towns. Blue lines mark paid parking, white lines are free where available, and yellow markings mean parking is prohibited. Underground car parks are usually the most convenient option near the beach, especially in August when roadside spaces fill quickly. Marking or facility Meaning Typical use Blue lines Zona Azul paid parking Short stays in busy commercial areas White lines Free parking Useful when you find an open space Yellow lines No parking Avoid stopping or leaving the car Underground car park Paid secure parking Best for beaches, shopping, and central Calpe At a zona azul meter, pay for the required time and display the ticket clearly on the dashboard. Hours vary by municipality, and some areas suspend charges around siesta time or on Sundays, but you should always check the machine. A parking app or pay machine receipt is often easier to manage than coins when you are moving between beach stops. Fuel stations are common along both the AP-7 and the N-332. Petrol is gasolina, diesel is diésel or gasoil, and unleaded fuel is usually Sin Plomo 95. Check the fuel cap label before you start pumping, because misfuelling costs far more than a few extra euros at the correct grade. Fuel term Meaning Common use Gasolina Petrol Most petrol rental cars Diésel / Gasoil Diesel Diesel-powered cars and SUVs Sin Plomo 95 Unleaded 95 octane Standard petrol at many stations Autoservicio Self-service Fill first, then pay inside or at the kiosk Many stations are self-service: fill the tank, note your pump number, and pay inside if required. Repsol and Cepsa are common brands, while supermarket forecourts may be cheaper on price. If you are driving late at night, confirm opening hours before leaving the motorway. Parts of the AP-7 use toll sections, although not every stretch requires payment. At toll booths, collect a ticket at the start of the tolled section and pay when you exit, unless the system uses automatic barrier-free payment on that section. Cash and card are commonly accepted, but lanes marked Telepeaje or Vía-T are for electronic tags only. Payment method Where it works Notes Cash (efectivo) Standard toll booths Keep small notes or coins ready Card Standard toll booths Visa and Mastercard are often accepted Telepeaje Electronic lanes For tag users only Vía-T Electronic lanes Do not enter without a compatible device ⚠️ Warning: Do not enter a lane marked Telepeaje or Vía-T unless your car has a compatible transponder. If you miss the correct lane, wait for the next open booth rather than forcing the issue. The pan-European emergency number is 112, and operators often have English support. If the car breaks down, move off the road as safely as possible, wear the high-visibility vest before stepping out, and call the rental company’s assistance number. If you are on a road with moving traffic, place warning triangles only when it is safe to do so. In a minor accident, exchange insurance and contact details with the other driver. If there are injuries, danger, or a dispute, call 112 and wait for the Guardia Civil or Policía Local. Keep the rental paperwork, policy number, and roadside assistance details together so you can find them quickly if you need them. Compare Car Rental Deals