The Mediterranean Sea glistens below home in Calpe, where so many people choose to buy property and call it home, while the iconic Ifach rock divides the two main beaches. Living in Calpe is indeed a blessing, but there are times when, despite this, you feel the urge for city life. Barcelona is just a short journey away and offers a lively contrast to Costa Blanca life.
The famous city of Barcelona is just 450 kilometres north of Calpe, which means you can easily drive there in a day, or if you want a more relaxed journey and aren’t in a hurry, several bus companies offer a direct service from Calpe to Barcelona, or if you prefer, you can also fly directly from Alicante.
Barcelona is a city packed with historical and artistic buildings, where the architecture of Gaudí dominates most parts of the city, particularly the still unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The cathedral is even more imposing when seen in real life, and the way the light falls into the building via the strategically positioned stained glass windows is simply spectacular. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it should not be missed. Other Gaudí buildings can be seen in areas like Park Güell, where you can enjoy views across the city.
La Rambla is the city’s atmospheric pedestrian shopping street filled with interesting shops and excellent restaurants where you can enjoy a tapas lunch. After this, head for the Gothic Quarter and Barceloneta Beach, where the narrow streets are medieval buildings from the heat of the day before, enjoying some late afternoon sun at the beach, where there is always a lively atmosphere, although living in Calpe may mean that you don’t mind missing out on beaches for a few days!
The spectacular light and water show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is something worth seeing before dinner.
Home to many native and exotic animals, some of which are endangered and live under the protection of the zoo, which covers an enormous area within the Parc de la Ciutadella. They offer educational programmes for both children and adults, providing a detailed understanding of the wildlife they protect. Their focus over the past hundred years has been to help breed and reintroduce species under threat of extinction and improve the living conditions of the animals. You will be able to see meerkats, brown bears, giraffes and tropical birds, and there is also a large children's park. We do have animal parks close to Calpe in the Costa Blanca, but nothing on this scale.
Living in Calpe, we are so used to historical buildings and Festivals that relate to the Islamic influence on Spain that we are largely unaware of the importance of the Jewish community. In the Middle Ages, the Jews were one of the largest and most important self-governing groups in the countries ruled at the time by the Crown of Aragon and represented 10% of the overall population of Barcelona. The location of the city provided thriving trade and economic possibilities, making the Jewish Quarter, El Cal, a meeting point and refuge for Jews everywhere. The narrow Gothic streets will transport you to this bygone era, and the marketplace Shalom Barcelona showcases products the city can offer to Jewish visitors, and its website promotes the city and highlights its importance in Jewish heritage and the city’s history.
View the city from the heights of Mount Tibidabo on a clear day, visit the beautiful Sagrat Cor church and take a fun ride on the funicular railway. There is also an amusement park here where the whole family can enjoy the rides and attractions offered. If you stay into the evening, the sunset over Barcelona is truly beautiful from this viewpoint.
For football fans living in Calpe, seeing a match at Camp Nou in Barcelona is a must because the history and atmosphere here are unparalleled. If no match is planned during your visit, however, you needn’t be disappointed because you can enjoy a guided tour of the football stadium and museum.
In 1992, Barcelona proudly hosted the summer Olympic Games with an anthem sung by the legendary Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé, and the stadium built for the event can be visited throughout the year. Do check and book your trip first because it may not be open if another event is being hosted here.
There are plenty of places, both budget and luxury, to stay in Barcelona when you visit from your home in Calpe. It is a popular and busy city, so please plan and ensure that you have booked tickets to visit important places in advance. You will have an incredible experience in this city, and after a few busy days, you will be grateful to return to your villa in Calpe, take a moment or two to relax and then enjoy sharing your memories with friends.
