CalpeNoticias EN

Calpe Town Council has installed an artistic railing entitled ‘Love of the sea... love’, which pays homage to Calpe's links with the sea and the fishing industry, the traditional driving force behind the municipality's economy.

The Mayoress of Calpe, Ana Sala, inaugurated the work this morning. It was designed and crafted in galvanised iron by the Xàbia sculptor Toni Marí and has been installed next to the low wall at the end of Castelló Street, which offers views of La Fossa beach.

The artistic railing represents the Posidonia meadow adorned with different marine species typical of Calpe, such as llampuga, sea bream, white prawns and octopus. It also features poems written by Joaquín Roselló, who was a deep-sea fishing skipper.

In addition to Marí and Roselló, the ceremony was also attended by the head of the Fishermen's Guild, Paco Catalá, and the former Councillor for Infrastructure, Juan Manuel del Pino, who promoted this initiative to mark the centenary of the Fishermen's Guild.

Calpe Town Council has launched a tender for a totem pole with a lifesaving system to be installed in Cala Mallorquí to prevent drownings in this area, where incidents have been recorded in recent years. In 2023, a similar totem was installed on the Princesa de Asturias promenade, opposite La Rocaplana. It is a fixed stainless-steel structure that is completely autonomous as it has a solar panel and battery, making it an active safety point 24 hours a day.

The intention is for this installation, like the one installed on the Princesa de Asturias promenade, to contain life-saving devices that inflate automatically on contact with water. The operation is simple. To use these devices, you must break the glass of the totem, pick up one of the lifesavers and throw it to the person in distress. The device inflates on contact with water in just a few seconds and is reusable.

In addition, when it is used, breaking the glass activates an acoustic and light alert system in the area, and the totem has two buttons that, when pressed, alert the local police or 112.

The tender for the procurement of this rescue system also includes its maintenance and that of the system already installed on the Paseo Princesa de Asturias for 36 months. The tender budget is €25,289.

Following the resounding success of the recent Opera Gala, which brought this year's calendar to a spectacular close, Calpe's Department of Culture has officially presented its proposal for 2026.

Under the premise of excellence and diversity, the municipality is reinforcing its position as a cultural benchmark in the province of Alicante with a programme that combines major international figures and cutting-edge performing arts.

Piano and opera: international pillars

Classical music will be the backbone of the new year. The Calpe Piano Festival is consolidating its position on the international scene with the participation of four top-level soloists: Jean-Paul Gasparian from France, Congyu Wang and Zee Zee from China, and István Székely from Hungary.

This line-up will be complemented by prestigious performances such as those by the Elysia Quartet saxophone group alongside Belgian maestro Simon Diricq, the Valencian Community Chamber Orchestra, the piano duo of Rosa Blanco and Javier Otero, and other shows featuring opera and zarzuela. In addition, thanks to a broadcasting agreement, citizens will be able to enjoy live operas and ballets from The Royal Ballet and Opera in London free of charge every month. Operas such as Verdi's La Traviata, Wagner's Siegfried and Mozart's The Magic Flute can be enjoyed at the Calpe Cultural Centre Auditorium.

Premiere of the Jazz & Blues Festival.

One of the big new developments in 2026 is the creation of the Jazz & Blues Festival, which aims to attract lovers of the genre with three unmissable events: the group Almaens Jazz, the British Big Joe and the virtuoso guitarist from Chicago, Toronzo Cannon.

The MADE IN SPAIN IV concert, part of the SONAFILM Festival, will continue to be the national benchmark for film music composed by Spanish artists.

The musical programme also includes the fashionable artist who is revolutionising the world of music, violinist Paco Montalvo, whose international tour will stop in the municipality. ‘We are proud to have included Calpe in his concert programme, alongside cities such as Milan, Paris and New York,’ says the Councillor for Culture, Guillermo Sendra.

National theatre and family theatre.

The theatre will also experience a qualitative leap with plays that are currently enjoying success on the national scene, such as ‘No me toques el cuento’, “Medea”, ‘La casa de Bernarda Alba’, ‘Ya me has tocado el cuento’, and the comedy ‘Corta el cable rojo’. The programme is rounded off with figures of the stature of Goyo Jiménez and Rafa Maza, who will return to Calpe with his popular character ‘Fabiolo’.

Finally, the Casa de Cultura has confirmed that children's theatre will gain prominence this year, ensuring an accessible offering for the little ones.

With this ambitious cultural offering, the Casa de Cultura de Calpe is preparing for a new year 2026 marked by diversity and artistic excellence, consolidating its cultural leadership.

The Institute of Coastal Ecology has sent Calpe Town Council its annual report on the state of the Posidonia oceanica meadows along the Calpe coastline, which shows that the meadows studied at the sampling stations corresponding to the Arenal-Bol, La Fossa, Cantal Roig and Cala Racó beaches are in good condition.

The study is part of the POSIMED programme, which aims to determine the state of conservation of the Posidonia oceanica meadows in the province of Alicante and to promote, through knowledge and participation, the need to preserve these habitats among the population.

The Posidonia oceanica meadow is distributed throughout the coastline of Calpe Bay, in the area between the port and Bol Beach, where it grows at a depth of between 10 and 17 metres. Beyond its upper limit, there is a mixed meadow of Cymodocea nodosa and Posidonia oceanica, with a lower density, which is locally known as ‘vairassos’.

In the western half of the cove, up to Cabo de Toix, it grows from a shallower depth (4 m) and extends to 17-20 m. From Puerto Blanco to Morro de Toix there is a continuous and very well-preserved meadow. In the deepest part of this sector, some degradation has been detected due to erosion caused by illegal trawling. Finally, in the area north of Peñón de Ifach, the Posidonia meadows are well developed to depths of over 20 metres.

Density and coverage are used as parameters to analyse Posidonia meadows. The average density value of Posidonia oceanica during 2025 was 531.94 bundles/m², lower than in 2024 (593.06 bundles/m²) and 2023 (625 bundles/m²), although this difference can be considered normal and is caused by the natural variability of the species and the randomness of the sampling. The coverage of Posidonia oceanica was 60.49%, in line with the data for 2024 (55.64%) and 2023 (73.25%).

 These variations can be explained by the sampling methodology. Based on the data, the Posidonia oceanica meadow can are in a favourable state of conservation.

 Furthermore, based on the information on density, coverage and overall density index obtained over the last 23 years, the meadows at the Calpe station are in good environmental condition, with density showing a positive trend and coverage remaining stable. What is more, around Arenal Bol beach, meadow coverage is increasing.

The ecosystem formed by Posidonia oceanica meadows is protected at European level due to the great diversity of species it harbours and its ecological value. At the same time, it is an ecosystem that is very sensitive to changes in water transparency, salinity, mechanical erosion and anoxia.

The study by the Institute of Coastal Ecology, funded by the Provincial Council, is part of the POSIMED programme for monitoring Posidonia oceanica meadows, the only one in Spain that has been carried out continuously for the last 25 years.

Calpe Town Council has already begun work on installing a police checkpoint in Plaza del Mediterráneo, on La Fossa Beach, with the aim of reinforcing public safety on this stretch of Calpe's coastline.

The new facility is expected to be operational in time for the San José long weekend. It is a 15-square-metre module that will act as a strategic point for surveillance and citizen services in an area that receives a high number of visitors, especially during the summer season.

The checkpoint will enable officers to be closer to beach users and will be equipped to take reports and handle lost property.

With this measure, the council aims to consolidate the perception of public safety — which is already very high — among residents and tourists visiting the Calpe coastline.

The pupils of CEIP Oltà in Calpe will resume the school year on 7 January, after the Christmas holidays, in prefabricated classrooms set up for this purpose. The new facilities already have the furniture and materials sent by the Regional Ministry of Education, which arrived yesterday, and over the next few days the materials will be transferred from the current school to the temporary classrooms, so that everything is ready for the start of classes.

Likewise, municipal brigades and cleaning staff from the Town Hall are currently refurbishing the centre, together with the company responsible for assembling the prefabricated buildings and the teaching staff from the school itself. The Mayor of Calpe, Ana Sala, together with the Councillor for Education, Mariola Mulet, and the Councillor for Culture and Public Safety, Guillermo Sendra, visited the complex this morning to check on the progress of the work.

The prefabricated classrooms are located on a plot of approximately 6,900 square metres, next to another plot where the temporary facilities of the new secondary school are located. Both plots have been ceded by Calpe Town Council to the Regional Ministry of Education with the aim of helping to reduce overcrowding in the municipality's educational centres.

What looks like a narrow alleyway in the heart of Calpe's old town has become, overnight, a must-see for art lovers.

The graffiti artist from Denia, Tardor Roselló, has once again left his mark on the town with a work on Calle San Roc that surprises passers-by with its location and detail.

The artist, who already has murals in cities such as Dresden (Germany) and Mumbai (India), continues to support his homeland. This new work, which cost €1,800, is a key piece in the Museu d'Art Urbà (Urban Art Museum) promoted by the City Council.

Guillermo Sendra, head of the Culture Department, emphasized that having an artist of Tardor's stature—internationally recognized by the website specializing in urban art, Street Art Cities—represents a qualitative leap for the tourist and cultural appeal of the historic center.

Tardor already has another work of great visual impact, “Un regalo para mi” (A gift for me), which he painted just over a year ago on one of the facades of the City Hall and which continues to amaze passersby.

Today's plenary session officially announced Juan Manuel del Pino's resignation as councillor, which he submitted a few days ago at his own request. During the current term of office, Juan Manuel del Pino has been deputy mayor and responsible for Urban Planning, Infrastructure and Urban Quality, Parks and Gardens, Water Cycle, Street Cleaning and Solid Urban Waste. In addition, during the previous term of office, he was responsible for Urban Planning and Territory, Water and the Environment.

Several weeks ago, the councillor announced his decision to leave political life after the final approval of the budgets, thus closing a six-year period in public administration to devote more time to his family and his profession.

The mayoress, visibly moved, praised Juan Manuel del Pino's management of urban planning and territory, water and solid urban waste management, stating that ‘you are one of the best things that has happened to this council’.

Juan Manuel del Pino said, ‘I came to Calp 40 years ago, I have always been interested in helping through my medical profession and then I was able to do so as a public servant. I have felt great satisfaction in working for my town, I have learned a lot from all of you, and I want to thank Ana Sala for the opportunity to experience this exciting adventure’.

Final approval of the 2026 budget.

The government team has definitively approved the municipal budget for the 2026 financial year, with a total amount of €45,867,550, with the opposition groups voting against it. The plenary session rejected the allegations presented by the Popular Municipal Group and the Defendamos Calpe Group.

The budget proposal responds to a context marked by the return of fiscal rules and increased costs. The economic solvency of the Town Council has allowed it to open two interest-bearing accounts that will generate an expected income of €695,100 in 2026.

Fiscal measures that provide relief to families and businesses

The revenue budget preserves stability and maintains measures that favour local economic activity: the exemption from the business start-up tax is extended, as is the 95% rebate on inheritance transfers, the property tax rebates for the installation of solar panels and energy efficiency improvements, and the 5.04% reduction in the urban property tax rate is maintained.

In addition, €575,000 per year in revenue is incorporated from the new regulated parking contract, and fees for terraces and events in the low season are suspended as a measure to support commerce and the hospitality industry.

Efficient and service-oriented spending

Current expenditure is reduced slightly (-2.37%) but key services are maintained and even improved: street cleaning, beach cleaning, lifeguard services and urban maintenance. A budget item is included to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “Moros y Cristianos” festival, and another to launch the 1st Calp Nationalities Fair.

In current transfers (subsidies), the budget is increased by 15.61% to 4.57 million euros, which will make it possible to strengthen areas such as housing assistance, the youth rental voucher, subsidies for hybrid and electric vehicles, property tax rebates for energy efficiency improvements and transport assistance for students. A line for social projects by local non-profit associations has also been added. The Public Transport Plan is included in this chapter with a budget of £460,000 for the expansion and reorganisation of routes and timetables.

A planned investment geared towards real needs

The investment chapter amounts to €3.6 million, compared to almost €13 million last year, representing a 72% decrease as this year's budget does not include the Pla Edificant actions corresponding to the new IES and the adaptation of the plot for the Gargasindi public CEE.

The investments include the adaptation of Vial J (€320,000), the Vial T urbanisation project (€100,000), repairs to the Calalga promenade (€100,000), Barranc del Quisi (€100,000), the reinforcement of lighting in residential areas (€154,000), the accessibility of pavements (€250,000), sanitation and storm drains (€1,106,134), the electrical connection of the IES Les Salines secondary school (€150,000), the restoration of the Pierre la Fleure mural (€60,000), the expansion of urban gardens (€45,000), the Manzanera dog park (€121,000) and improvements to the Ifac sports hall (€115,000). A budget has also been allocated for drafting strategic projects to be financed with surpluses, with priority given to housing initiatives.

In addition, multi-year projects are being consolidated until 2029 to ensure their phased and effective implementation, such as the renovation of the Fossa promenade, the improvement of the beach washing system, the renovation of the Plaza Mayor, the new 21st-century tourist office, and the new CRISOL (recovery centre for people with mental health problems).

The state of the municipality

Summary of Mayoress Ana Sala's speech in the debate on the state of the municipality:

"In 2025, 390 tenders and 515 minor contracts have been processed. And almost €1.9 million in subsidies have been obtained from other administrations, in addition to a Programme Contract in social services worth over €1.5 million, which will enable us to better sustain the services provided daily.

In tourism and economic promotion, Calp has joined the National Network of Smart Tourist Destinations, with a 66.5% compliance rate and an outstanding rating in sustainability. According to the mayor, occupancy figures confirm that progress is being made towards a seasonally adjusted destination: a new record in October with 80.68% occupancy, with increases in hotels, campsites and tourist apartments.

The Tourism Sustainability Plan has been rolled out with Next Generation funds, the Local Action Plan has been launched to mobilise up to £15 million in European funds, and the Pla d'Habitatge (Housing Plan) is being drafted to reconcile tourism with the right to housing.

Another initiative has been to strengthen our brand with the ONCE coupon, with the ‘Gamba Blanca de Calp’ brand, with participation in Alicante Gastronómica, FiraCalp, Fira Nadal and campaigns such as the Bonos Comercio or ‘El comercio de Calp te da la bienvenida’ (Calp's businesses welcome you), always in collaboration with AEMCO, CREAMA and the Fishermen's Guild. Calp has also been consolidated as a sports and cycling destination with the agreement with Soudal Quick-Step and our presence at the Networking Day in Brussels.

In terms of infrastructure and the water cycle, Avenida Felipe VI (Vial J) has been opened, a new strategic connection that improves mobility and alleviates traffic in beach areas; the school zone and roads in Basetes, Calalga and La Fossa have been resurfaced, the Balcó de Bernia road has been improved and the cemetery has been expanded with 111 new niches.

The government team has begun improvements to the Arenal-Bol promenade and given strategic impetus to the future Fossa promenade, the Plaza Mayor and the new 21st-century Tourist Office, within the framework of the Urban Agenda.

Through Aguas de Calpe, work worth more than €1 million has been completed on reservoirs, pipelines and sanitation, and work worth €3.8 million is underway, including the refurbishment of the Barranc Salat desalination plant and the DIGITAMED project to digitise the water cycle. Thanks to these efforts, Calp has exceeded 90% hydraulic efficiency, making it a national benchmark.

In terms of public safety and emergencies, human and material resources have been reinforced. The Local Police has planned a special summer operation for a floating population that can exceed 140,000 inhabitants; we have created the Coastal Surveillance Unit, with a new boat that has already been used in rescues in the Penyal d'Ifac area; progress has been made in the first phase of video surveillance on the main roads and in the selection process for 11 new positions, more commanders and new operating regulations.

In Civil Protection, the new headquarters has been put out to tender and a rapid response motor pump has been purchased, which has already prevented the spread of several fires, and Calp has hosted the Regional Water Rescue Conference.

In terms of beaches, a new comprehensive lifeguard and rescue contract has been awarded, with up to 32 professionals in summer and an adapted bathing service with transport for people with reduced mobility.

In terms of culture and heritage, Calp has consolidated its position as a regional and provincial benchmark: €100,000 in grants for cultural and artistic training, exhibitions on La Pobla d'Ifac and Roger de Llúria, guided tours of the historic quarter and the regular opening of the Queen's Baths with tours in four languages.

The programme has been reinforced with initiatives such as the Calp Piano Festival, the SOMIART street theatre festival, the CALPSULES micro-experiences, the Nit Encesa in the old town and the restoration of historic murals.

In education and youth, the 2025–2026 academic year has begun with 3,541 students in the municipality, and a comprehensive maintenance contract for educational centres has been implemented, which is already improving playgrounds, shade, fencing and basic elements of schools and nurseries.

€140,000 in transport subsidies for post-compulsory education and €100,000 in subsidies for cultural and artistic training have been allocated.

Calp has joined the UNED Senior programme for the first time, the third edition of the #goCalp school competition on climate change has been launched, and in the area of youth, a youth technician has been appointed, the Youth Club has been consolidated, and a group of youth correspondents involved in the programming and promotion of activities has been created.

In sports, a leap forward has been made in planning and supporting the sports fabric: creation of the Municipal Sports Council, approval of the municipal swimming pool regulations and a call for €250,000 in grants for clubs and events, reinforcing grassroots sport.

The municipal swimming pool has been modernised with solar panels, improvement works and an extension of opening hours and groups, making it a more efficient facility with more users and more activities.

The 1st Sports and Culture Gala were held to recognise emerging talent, we successfully participated in the MiniJocs de la Marina Alta and next month the Costa Blanca Bike Race 2026 will be held, consolidating Calp as a year-round sports destination.

At the Civic Centre, a long-standing problem with reverberation has been solved with an acoustic improvement project, and we have launched new workshops for older people (languages, writing) that combine socialisation and cognitive stimulation.

In terms of citizen participation, the Strategic Participation Plan has been put out to tender, which will allow for the organisation of councils, channels and processes so that the people of Calp have more and better ways to participate in public affairs.

In terms of the environment, beaches and lighting, posidonia has been managed according to environmental and tourist quality criteria, the Blue Trail distinction has been revalidated on the Voramar Calalga trail, and reforestation and environmental education days have been organised.

The Public Lighting Master Plan has been promoted, solar streetlights in residential areas have been reviewed and expanded, the naturalisation of the Quisi and Pou Roig ravines has been initiated, the Empedrola pine forest has been cleaned up, and perimeter strips have been created in the Serra d'Oltà with Next Generation funds to prevent fires.

Progress has been made on the Calp Traditional Trail, the Calp Blau conference has been held, actions have been coordinated with the LIBERA Project against ‘littering’ and collaboration with Alicante Renace has begun on the ecological restoration of the salt flats.

In animal welfare, the new veterinary contract, the ordinance on coexistence and animal welfare and the ethical plan for the management of cat colonies have been implemented, moving towards more responsible and respectful management.

In terms of social welfare, work has begun on improving accessibility to the Social Services building, the Single Social History has been implemented as a pilot municipality in the province, the Programme Contract has been renewed to better cover services such as the Civic Centre and the Alzheimer's unit, new vehicles have been provided for the SAD and adapted transport, and the workforce has been stabilised through competitive selection processes.

We have launched the Escola d'Acollida (Welcome School) for migrants and guaranteed transport for users of the Maite Boronat Occupational Centre.

In terms of equality, we have continued to feminise public spaces with new street names and murals, created the Punt de la Sororitat, approved the II Internal Equality Plan and the I Equality Plan for citizens, and activated the Committee for the Prevention of Trafficking and Prostitution.

In terms of health protection, the government has continued to call for a second health centre and to make municipal land available to the Generalitat; Healthcare staff has been increased, the Addictive Behaviours Unit has been incorporated, the First Municipal Plan for the Prevention of Addictive Behaviours has been approved, and progress has been made in making Calp a heart-safe municipality, with the allocation of 28 defibrillators for the police, civil protection, public buildings and high-traffic areas. In addition, the preventive ambulance service for municipal events has been awarded.

During the debate, the spokesperson for Defendamos Calpe, Paco Quiles, pointed out that ‘our perspective should be taken into account as an opportunity to improve, to really solve the problems of the municipality’. Quiles criticised waste management throughout 2025, traffic management, the lack of sanitation, the management of the health transport service and education, and placed particular emphasis on urban planning, stating that ‘we have an outdated general plan that does not solve the major problems of our town’.

The spokesperson for the Popular Party, Miguel Crespo, has criticised the municipal management monthly, emphasising the lack of a blue parking zone, delays in lifeguard services, the lack of footbaths on the beaches, delays in contracts for sunbeds and parasols on the beaches, and the closure of Bol beach on two occasions during the summer due to pollution. Crespo also questioned the declassification of 300,000 m² at a valuation of €5.37/m² and the loss of ERDF funds and criticised the opening of the J road without inviting representatives from the Provincial Council, which financed the project.

The councillor for the Socialist Group, Marco Bittner, thanked the opposition for its conciliatory mood but pointed out that the opposition's vision is based on discrediting the government team, which ‘has proven that it manages better than you do’.

The spokesperson for Compromís, Ximo Perles, reproached Defendamos Calpe for ‘requesting a review of the general plan, but when we bring specific amendments to reduce urban pressure, you vote against them’. Perles also reproached the Popular Party group for ‘saying that there is a lack of budget management and then telling us that we are overspending with our Economic Financial Plan’.

Calpe Town Council has begun work to modify and improve access to the administrative building located at Avenida Puerto de Santa María, 7, which houses the offices of the Department of Social Welfare and the headquarters of the Calpe-Ifac Music Union. With this action, the Council is continuing with the agreement reached with the musical organisation and is moving forward with adapting the building to the accessibility requirements of a public facility.

The works have a budget of €111,911.40 excluding VAT and a completion period of three months from the signing of the site survey report, formalised on 15 December 2025. The contract covers the comprehensive renovation of the entrance and the affected common areas, with the aim of ensuring an accessible and safe route for users of the building.

The intervention represents a substantial improvement in the conditions of access to the building, in compliance with current regulations for public buildings. The works include the adaptation of the access level, the redistribution of spaces on the ground floor, the adaptation of construction elements and the improvement of safety and accessibility conditions, which will allow for more comfortable and functional use for both Social Welfare users and members of the Musical Union.

This action is part of the process that began in August 2024 with the notarised signing of the exchange of land between the Town Council and the Calpe-Ifac Musical Union, which allowed the layout of the building to be adjusted and made the future renovation of the entrance possible. The agreement provided for the exchange of 50.02 m² on the ground floor owned by the Musical Union for 70.03 m² on the first floor owned by the municipality, in order to facilitate the adaptation of the building for administrative and social use.

Calpe Town Council points out that improving this access is a key step in the complete refurbishment of the facilities, so that both the Department of Social Welfare and the Unión Musical have more accessible, modern premises that are adapted to the current needs of the service and the cultural activity of the municipality.

Calpe Town Council has begun reconstruction and refurbishment work on the section of masonry wall located between points M-61 and M-63 on the Fossa Promenade, which was damaged by the storm on 14 August 2024.

The aim of this work is to restore the affected wall and ensure the safety of pedestrians and users of the promenade in one of the busiest areas of the coast. The storm caused the partial collapse of the structure and damage to the pavement, making it necessary to intervene to prevent further landslides and ensure the stability of the area.

The works have a budget of €153,211.26 (including VAT) and include the underpinning and reconstruction of the section of wall that collapsed, as well as the demolition and rebuilding of those elements that were in poor condition. The works include actions on retaining walls, pavement foundations and pavement replacement, adapting it to current safety and accessibility standards.

The expected completion time is several weeks from the start of the work. During this period, signage and temporary diversions have been put in place to minimise disruption to pedestrians and businesses in the area.

With this intervention, Calpe Town Council continues to carry out maintenance and improvement works on the seafront, with the aim of preserving the coastal infrastructure in the face of storms and ensuring optimal safety and enjoyment for residents and visitors.

Friday, 19:

• • XXX ExfiCalpe 2025. Philatelic and collectors' exhibition: ‘20th anniversary of the excavations at La Pobla d'Ifac’. Until 30 December.
  • Exhibition ‘Banys de la Reina, the Roman footprint’. Until 30 December. Museo del Coleccionismo
  • 10:30 am-1:30 pm / 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene of the Nuestra Señora de las Nieves Parish Church
  • 11:00 a.m. Exhibition of the Municipal Nativity Scene. Calpe Cultural Centre. Until 6 January.
  • 6:00-7:00 p.m. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene at the Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Merced Parish Church. Until 11 January.
  • Blood donation day, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Red Cross headquarters (C/ María Jorro, 1. Local 10).
  • ‘Create your own podcast’ workshop for young people aged 14 to 18 at the Youth Club, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, 20:

• • XXX ExfiCalpe 2025. Philatelic and collecting exhibition: ‘20th anniversary of the excavations at La Pobla d'Ifac’. Until 30 December.
  • Exhibition ‘Banys de la Reina, the Roman footprint’. Until 30 December. Museo del Coleccionismo
  • 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Guided tours of Banys de la Reina.
  • 11 a.m. Municipal Nativity Scene Exhibition. Calpe Cultural Centre. Until 6 January.
  • 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. / 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene at the Nuestra Señora de las Nieves Parish Curch
  • 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Exhibition of the Nativity Scen at the Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Merced Parish of Church. Until 11 January.
  • Christmas concert by the Unió Musical Calpe Ifach at 8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium.

Sunday, 21:

• • XXX ExfiCalpe 2025. Philatelic and collectors' exhibition: ‘20th anniversary of the excavations at La Pobla d'Ifac’. Until 30 December.
  • Exhibition ‘Banys de la Reina, la huella romana’ (Banys de la Reina, the Roman footprint). Until 30 December. Museo del Coleccionismo
  • 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene at the Nuestra Señora de las Nieves Parish Church
  • 6:00-7:00 p.m. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene at the Parish of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Merced Parish Church. Until 11 January.
  • 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Guided tours of Banys de la Reina. (Tour in Valencian at 12:00 p.m.).
  • 11:00 a.m. Exhibition of the Municipal Nativity Scene. Calpe Cultural Centre. Until 6 January.
  • Christmas concert: by the Rondalla de Calpe 8:30 p.m. Nuestra Seóra de las Nieves Parish Church.

Calp se convierte en Destino Turístico Inteligente tras completar el informe de diagnóstico DTI, que ha elaborado SEGITTUR (Sociedad Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas), un modelo impulsado por la Secretaría de Estado de Turismo de España.

Este reconocimiento, con validez hasta diciembre de 2027, acredita que Calp ha iniciado la implantación del modelo DTI y forma parte del grupo de destinos situados a la vanguardia del desarrollo turístico. Una estrategia de futuro basada en la gobernanza, la sostenibilidad, la accesibilidad, la innovación y la tecnología como ejes vertebradores.

La implantación de la metodología DTI ha sido posible gracias a la colaboración de todas las áreas municipales, que han contribuido a proporcionar la información necesaria para evaluar al destino en base a los 97 requisitos y 261 indicadores que componen el modelo, correspondientes al conjunto de ejes clave de un DTI. Esta toma de información ha permitido a SEGITTUR valorar el grado de madurez del destino Calp en cada requisito y posteriormente proponer unas recomendaciones a ejecutar por el destino para la transformación en Destino Turístico Inteligente.

Calpe has become a Smart Tourist Destination after completing the STD diagnostic report, which was prepared by SEGITTUR (State Society for the Management of Innovation and Tourism Technologies), a model promoted by the Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism.

This recognition, valid until December 2027, certifies that Calpe has begun to implement the STD model and is part of a group of destinations at the forefront of tourism development. It is a strategy for the future based on governance, sustainability, accessibility, innovation and technology as its cornerstones.

The implementation of the STD methodology has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of all municipal departments, which have contributed to providing the information necessary to evaluate the destination based on the 97 requirements and 261 indicators that make up the model, corresponding to the set of key pillars of a STD.

 This information gathering has enabled SEGITTUR to assess the degree of maturity of Calpe as a destination in each requirement and subsequently propose recommendations to be implemented by the destination for its transformation into a Smart Tourist Destination. Calpe achieves an overall compliance rate of 66.5%. The Sustainability axis stands out in particular with 79.8%.

 In this area, the analysis of the carrying capacity of beaches for capacity control, the improvement of the water performance of the supply network (92.2% in 2024), the municipal strategy for adaptation to climate change, the promotion of sustainable tourism and the enhancement of the Baños de la Reina archaeological site stand out. However, there is a need to make progress in sustainable mobility, waste management, water reuse, environmental monitoring and tourism sustainability.

In the area of governance, with 69% compliance, the strategic planning of tourism, internal coordination and public-private consultation and participation bodies, and the monitoring of tourism demand and supply, as well as the preparation of quarterly business confidence reports, are positively assessed. Areas for improvement include transparency, regular consultation to ascertain the impact of tourism on the daily life of the population of Calpe, analysis of the economic impact of tourism and evaluation of the return on investment. The creation of a Smart Office to promote technological monitoring, systematic innovation and the coordination of projects linked to the STD, among other actions, is also recommended.

In the area of accessibility, Calpe scores 68.6%. The report highlights the planning of accessible tourism, the ‘Somos Turismo’ awards, specific training, awareness campaigns and the provision of accessible sports equipment. Proposed improvements include the development of a municipal universal accessibility plan, the strengthening of accessibility management resources and structures, and the expansion of accessibility measures in transport, public spaces, signage and services, etc.

Finally, the areas of Technology (51.2%) and Innovation (39.2%) present the greatest opportunities for improvement. Although progress has been recognised in connectivity, sensor technology and the creation of innovative tourism products, it is recommended that a comprehensive “smart” technology strategy be developed, as well as a strategy to promote innovation that includes social innovation programmes with an impact on tourism. In addition, it is suggested that the destination continue to promote the development of existing tools, such as the city platform and the open data portal. Other issues include promoting innovation in processes and public procurement, strengthening the tourism innovation ecosystem and promoting innovation projects in collaboration with businesses and academia.

The Smart Tourist Destinations programme, managed by SEGITTUR, seeks to improve the competitiveness of Spanish destinations and the quality of life of their citizens. A Smart Tourist Destination is defined as an innovative tourist destination, consolidated on a cutting-edge technological infrastructure, which guarantees the sustainable development of the tourist territory, accessible to all, facilitating visitor interaction and integration with the environment and increasing the quality of their experience at the destination and improving the quality of life of residents.

Calpe Town Council has awarded the contract for the construction of the Museu de la Festa, a project that aims to restore a cultural space to Calpe that closed its doors 15 years ago due to structural problems with the old building located on Calle Llibertat, as well as municipal financial difficulties.

The new museum will be built in the Poquet Beltrán house located next to Plaza de España, an innovative building that aims to become an architectural landmark that will revitalise the historic centre of the city both culturally and urbanistically.

The project has been awarded to the company Proyecon Galicia S.A. for a total of £1,531,720.85, of which £401,722 will be financed by Next Generation funds. The initiative is part of the Calpe Tourism Sustainability Plan, within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, financed by European Next Generation EU funds with the support of the Valencian Community Tourism Department - Turisme Comunitat Valenciana - and the Secretary of State for Tourism.

This museum will consist of approximately 400 square metres distributed over the ground floor and two upper floors, designed to blend respectfully with the historic surroundings in which the centre is located, while at the same time contributing a striking contemporary character.

The museum tour is designed to begin on the second floor, covering 87 m², which will house exhibitions dedicated to Holy Week, the festivities of Carme, La Merced, the patron saint festivities and bullfighting celebrations, as well as a multi-purpose area for events and temporary exhibitions with a capacity for around 25 to 30 people.

The first floor, with an area of 170 m², will house the space dedicated to the Moors and Christians, where the costumes of the festival officials, pennants and a special exhibition of typical festive attire will be displayed in a more intimate setting.

Finally, the 160 m² ground floor will house technical services, toilets, reception, lift and stairs. Of note on this level is the innovative multimedia room, designed to project audiovisuals about Calpe's traditions onto the walls and ceiling, which can even be seen from outside.

The Calpe Local Police, in coordination with the Department of Public Safety, is working on the creation of a new unit specialising in the protection of children and adolescents, which will operate under the name of the IRIS Unit. This is a community service whose main objective will be to prevent risky behaviour among minors, improve coexistence and act as a bridge between families, educational centres and social and judicial resources.

The future IRIS Unit, inspired by the mythological figure that symbolises the end of storms and the rainbow as a return to calm, will be made up of officers with specific training in mediation and care for minors. These guardian or mediation officers will be able to act both in uniform and in plain clothes and will carry out their work mainly in the school and family environment, maintaining a direct and ongoing relationship with management teams, counsellors, parents' associations and municipal social services.

Their functions include the prevention of juvenile delinquency and anti-social behaviour through educational and awareness-raising activities; mediating and resolving conflicts in schools and families, intervening in situations such as bullying, disruptive behaviour or truancy; protecting minors in coordination with social, educational and judicial services, ensuring their well-being and safety; and early detection of risky behaviour, social vulnerability or possible processes of violent radicalisation in the school environment.

The launch of the IRIS Unit represents a step forward in the municipality's community policing model, incorporating a point of reference for children and adolescents that allows them to express their concerns in a safe environment and receive professional support. The Calpe Town Council is thus reinforcing its commitment to prevention, coexistence and comprehensive care for children and young people, establishing new coordination mechanisms between the Local Police and the other municipal services involved in the protection of minors.

DIARIO INFORMACIÓN  

Pogacar (y sus rivales) preparan el año 2026 en Alicante

LEVANTE EMV 

Los semáforos también son para los ciclistas: multa de 100 euros a cada uno de los 10 ciclista que pasaron en rojo en Llíber

La otra cara del "boom" ciclista en la Marina Alta: tapón y pie a tierra en el Coll de Rates

Un 'detox' digital en la montaña: los 69 pueblos de la Comunitat Valenciana con espacios “sin cobertura"

LAS PROVINCIAS

La UD Calpe afronta con nuevo técnico el derbi contra el CD Jávea

LA MARINA PLAZA  

La Marina Alta, meca invernal del ciclismo mundial: entre el prestigio y la saturación

Los 9 barrios de Dénia, Xàbia, Calp y Moraira que han alcanzado en pleno invierno su récord histórico en el precio de la vivienda

El conjunto infantil del CG Les Marines de Calp, en la élite nacional de rítmica

La nueva consellera deberá dar explicaciones sobre el caos en IES Ifach de Calp

CALP DIGITAL 

Compromís denuncia en Les Corts la “crítica situación” del IES Ifach de Calp y exige explicaciones urgentes a la Conselleria de Educación

El conjunto infantil absoluto del CG Les Marines de Calp, entre los 11 mejores de España

LA MARINA ALTA.COM 

Compromís lleva a Les Corts la «situación insostenible» del IES Ifach de Calp tras el anuncio de retirada de las prefabricadas

MARINA ALTA.ES

El derbi de Lliga Comunitat se lo llevó la UD Calpe

Las infantiles del CG Les Marines de Calp entre las 11 mejores del país

UD Calpe-CD Jávea partido de la jornada en Lliga Comunitat

ALICANTE PLAZA

Compromís lleva a les Corts la crítica situación del IES Ifach de Calp y exige explicaciones

CANFALI

Lliga Comunitat: El Calpe gana al Jávea

EL CORREO 

Diez ciclistas de un equipo profesional son multados por saltarse un semáforo en rojo

AEBOX 

Teresa Makinen se impone a Natali Francesca por decisión mayoritaria en Calpe

RADIO LITORAL 

Duelo en la cumbre en Lliga Comunitat

CG Les Marines destacó en el Campeonato de España de Conjuntos Absoluto

Friday, 12:

• • XXX ExfiCalpe 2025. Philatelic and collectors' exhibition: ‘20th anniversary of the excavations at La Pobla d'Ifac’. Until 30 December.
  • Exhibition ‘Banys de la Reina, the Roman footprint’. Until 30 December. Museo del Coleccionismo
  • 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Guided tours of Banys de la Reina. (Tour in English at 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays, in French on Wednesdays).
  • 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. / 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene from the Nuestra Señora de las Nieves Parish Church
  • 11:00 a.m. Exhibition of the Municipal Nativity Scene. Calpe Cultural Centre. Until 6 January.
  • 6:00-7:00 p.m. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene of the Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Merced. Parish Church Until 11 January.
  • 8:30 p.m. Christmas concert by the Youth Band of the Unió Musical Calpe-Ifach. Nuestra Señora de las Nieves Parish Church

Saturday, 13th:

• • XXX ExfiCalpe 2025. Philatelic and Collectors' Exhibition: ‘20th anniversary of the excavations at La Pobla d'Ifac’. Until 30th December.
  • Exhibition ‘Banys de la Reina, the Roman footprint’. Until 30th December. Museo del Coleccionismo
  • 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Guided tours of Banys de la Reina.
  • 11:00 a.m. Municipal Nativity Scene Exhibition. Calpe Cultural Centre. Until 6 January.
  • 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. / 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene of the Nuestra Señora de las Nieves Parish Church
  • 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene of the Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Merced Parish Church. Until 11 January.

Sunday, 14th:

• • XXX ExfiCalpe 2025. Philatelic and collectors' exhibition: ‘20th anniversary of the excavations at La Pobla d'Ifac’. Until 30th December.
  • Exhibition ‘Banys de la Reina, the Roman footprint’. Until 30th December. Museo del Coleccionismo
  • 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves Parish Church
  • 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Exhibition of the Nativity Scene of the Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Merced Parish Church. Until 11 January.
  • 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Guided tours of Banys de la Reina. (Tour in Valencian at 12:00 p.m.).
  • 11:00 a.m. Exhibition of the Municipal Nativity Scene. Calpe Cultural Centre. Until 6 January.
  • 8:00 p.m. Christmas concert: Ifach Choir. Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves

The Gardens Department of Calpe Town Council has planted more than fifty trees in the Las Salinas area, which were purchased through the Green Sponsorship scheme. The trees planted are mulberry trees, which will create a shaded area in Las Salinas.

The Green Sponsorship procedure, set out in Calpe's Urban Environment Protection Ordinance, establishes that to fell trees on urban land, a felling permit must be obtained from the Municipal Environment Services, and the authorisation requires the interested party to transfer three trees of the specified species and sizes to the council for each tree felled.

The same ordinance establishes that the construction of new buildings will entail the obligation to transfer trees of the specified species and sizes to the Calpe Town Council. In addition, depending on the type of construction, the number of specimens to be delivered is established. In the case of new single-family properties, five specimens per dwelling are delivered; in the case of new multi-family properties, two specimens per dwelling are delivered; and in the case of new hotel properties, one specimen per room is delivered.

It is estimated that through this procedure, the Town Council acquires around 1,300 trees each year to replant in different areas of the municipality. Through the Green Sponsorship scheme set out in the ordinance, residents can get directly involved in protecting nature. This is a very common practice in some countries and involves citizens donating trees, suggesting where they want the City Council to plant them, and reclaiming specific spaces and turning them into gardens.

There are two types of green sponsorship: zonal, which is intended for the design and planting of specific spaces, considering them as a whole, and individual green sponsorship, which consists of the transfer of individual plant species for subsequent planting by the City Council.

It should also be noted that the local council regulates the species that can be donated in its own ordinance, with the most suitable being those that grow naturally and are adapted to the climate and water regime. Invasive species included in Decree 2013/2009 of the Consell cannot be donated.

Calpe Town Council, through the Observatory of Resilient and Sustainable Cities and in collaboration with Global Omnium and Aguas de Calpee, has launched the third edition of the # goCalpe competition, an initiative aimed at 6th grade primary and 4th grade secondary school students in the municipality's educational centres to turn them into ‘sustainability urban planners’ committed to the fight against the climate emergency.

The contest challenges students to design viable and accessible solutions to one of the six climate risks identified for Calpe: drought, heat islands, flooding, population stagnation and demographic challenges, degradation of the natural environment and loss of biodiversity. Based on these risks, the teams must analyse how they manifest themselves in the municipality and propose specific actions in the urban space or natural environment that contribute to reducing their impact and increasing the resilience of the town.

The competition will run from December 2025 to March 2026 and will consist of four phases. In the first phase, until 19 December 2025, teaching staff will register their teams and select the climate risk they will work on. Next, the Year 6 primary school groups will prepare a proposal in digital poster format that includes the risk analysis, a description of the solution and its environmental, social and economic benefits. Meanwhile, Year 8 secondary school students will have to submit a more detailed research project, with a local diagnosis, objectives, timetable, resource estimate and final infographic. The deadline for submitting the projects is 13 February 2026.

In the third phase, a jury of experts from the Observatory of Resilient and Sustainable Cities will select, by 27 February 2026, at least one finalist proposal for each primary school and one finalist project for each class of the participating secondary schools. The selected teams will have the opportunity to engage in a technical dialogue with these specialists, who will advise them on possible improvements before the public defence of their projects, scheduled for 3 March 2026. The winners will be announced on 4 March.

The awards ceremony will be held on 9 March 2026, at which the best proposal from Year 6 Primary will be recognised with a prize worth €2,000 and the best project from Year 4 Secondary with a prize of €3,000. In both cases, the prize money will be used to purchase technological equipment for the winning schools. In addition, the winning classes will participate in the sponsorship and release of a sea turtle on a beach in Calpe, an activity organised by the Oceanogràfic Foundation of Valencia, thus reinforcing the link between environmental education and marine conservation.

Participation in the competition is free and voluntary and is carried out in teams of at least four students coordinated by a teacher. The full rules, as well as the registration forms and detailed information on the phases, evaluation criteria and contacts, are available on the website www.go2globalomnium.com and via email at sostenibilidad@globalomnium.com.

With this third edition of #goCalpe, the Town Council is reinforcing its commitment to education in sustainability, adaptation to climate change and the involvement of the educational community in building a more resilient, inclusive and environmentally friendly Calpe.

The Calpe Town Council has agreed to request the Ministry of Public Works, through the Alicante Roads Unit, to build a roundabout at the southern access as a solution to the long-standing problem of lack of safety for pedestrians accessing the train station. This means that the construction of the pedestrian footbridge over the N-332, a project that the Ministry awarded in 2019 but which was put on hold after the winning company withdrew in 2020, will not go ahead.

According to the Councillor for Infrastructure, Juan Manuel del Pino, since then, Calpe Town Council has held several meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Development to speed up a much needed and long-awaited project in the municipality. It should be remembered that pedestrians currently accessing the train station and various residential areas in Oltà must cross the road, with the consequent risk that this entails.

Finally, a solution has been chosen that not only prioritises pedestrian safety but also aims to improve traffic flow at the southern entrance to the municipality. The proposal involves converting the current tunnel, built more than 40 years ago, into a passageway exclusively for pedestrians and bicycles, thus ensuring a safe route to the train station and the residential areas of Oltà. At the same time, there are plans to build a roundabout to organise and regulate the entry and exit of vehicles in an area where the existing infrastructure is already insufficient for the volume of traffic it supports.

‘What we are bringing to the plenary session is a formal request to the Ministry to draw up this project and carry out the works,’ said Juan Manuel del Pino, who considers this project ‘more favourable and important for the population than the footbridge’. He added that the request reminds the Ministry of Public Works that the land acquired by the City Council for the footbridge – a total of 5,176.78 square metres – is still at its disposal and can now be used for the construction of the roundabout.

The Councillor for Public Safety, Guillermo Sendra, said: ‘This is great news. We will go from having an obsolete and dangerous access point to having a roundabout that will eliminate the current dangers,’ and indicated that the cost of this project is similar to that of the footbridge.

The Councillor for Defendamos Calpe, Toni Tur, agreed that the southern access to Calpe ‘needs a solution because it is dangerous and third world to see people crossing from the station to the national road’.

For his part, the spokesperson for the PP municipal group, Miguel Crespo, pointed out that this new infrastructure proposal is ‘necessary and vital and deserves every effort on the part of this corporation’.

The mayoress of Calpe, Ana Sala, stated that: ‘the most important thing of all is that the Ministry is clear that this access needs improvement and there is a willingness to draft the project and make it a priority. And this is going to happen sooner than we think’. She added that work will continue to make the project a reality as soon as possible.

Last Friday, Paiporta Town Council held an emotional ceremony in tribute to those who died in this town on 29 October 2024 because of the DANA flood. At the ceremony, held at the Terrer football ground, more than 900 local police officers from all over Spain who came to Paiporta to offer their services and participated in rescue and relief efforts during the devastating flood were honoured.

Among those decorated were 13 officers from the Calpe Local Police who travelled to the Valencian municipality to participate in the tribute. The Calp Town Council was represented by the Councillor for Public Safety, Guillermo Sendra, who accompanied the decorated officers, who are: Superintendent Juan A. Sanchez, Inspector Iker Benzazoua, Inspector Miguel Vizcaino, Officer Martin Moreno and officers Oscar Cazaña, Rafael Climent, Jose Maria Dominguez, Sergio López, Francisco Perles, Jessica Muñoz, Pablo Terrones, Daniel Perles and Lina Moreno.

In the days following the DANA flood, members of the Local Police travelled to the affected municipalities to participate in surveillance, control and food distribution tasks. In addition, the Drone Unit travelled to the area and participated in the search for people. The Calpe Local Police was also in charge of managing and guiding the various aid and food convoys that departed from Calp.

The event, organised by the Paiporta Local Police with the support of the Town Council, brought together more than 1,000 attendees, reflecting the national scope of the recognition. The tribute concluded with a minute's silence in memory of the 56 fatalities in the town, followed by the laying of a laurel wreath in memory of the 230 people who died in the DANA flood.