A Week in Calpe in October

Calpe in October

This is the second consecutive year we have spent a week in Calpe in October. On both occasions, we’ve been away for my birthday. This time was made all the more special because my parents came too. I have waxed lyrical about Calpe since our first visit there in summer 2019 and knew they’d like it as much as we do. We stayed on a bed and breakfast basis to give us the flexibility to eat at different places in the evenings. The hotel restaurant is excellent though and we did stay half-board on our first visit. In my opinion, has the best breakfast buffet of anywhere I have ever stayed.

My  49th Birthday

We had a wander through Calpe old town on the morning of my birthday- I wore my gorgeous new earrings, a birthday gift from Poppy.

We had a champagne picnic lunch on our balcony. Harry sent a bottle of Moët & Chandon as a birthday gift, (I’ve trained him well), which we duly opened.

Then in the evening, we ate at Bambero, which is where we celebrated my birthday last year. It’s a very short walk from the hotel, Gran Hotel Sol Y Mar and it was just as good as we remembered.

Afterwards, we stopped to take photographs of the festive lights. My dad suggested we do this…

It was a fabulous birthday and such a joy to spend it with my parents.

Gran Hotel Sol Y Mar, Calpe

Gran Hotel Sol Y Mar is about an hour’s drive from Alicante airport. We love it. It’s immaculate and modern with excellent staff and service. There is a lift from reception to both the pool, beach and a rather fabulous supermarket- everything is on the doorstep. There is a turn-down service and most evenings, we would return to our room to find chocolates or small gift on our pillow. on my birthday evening, the staff left a bottle of Cava and a birthday cake. It’s these little touches that make it so special. 

Calpe Beach

The beach is lovely- just a minute’s walk from the hotel with soft sand which slopes very gradually into crystal-clear sea. We did a bit of snorkelling and managed to see some fish which my Mum lured with some Chelsea bun she saved from breakfast!!

The Red and Yellow Steps Of Calpe

If you’ve been to Calpe or indeed if you’ve seen any of my previous Calpe blog posts, (I’ll leave links at the foot of the post), you will recognise the red and yellow steps. They are an iconic past of Calpe Old Town and a popular place for photographs.

The photo on the left below was taken in July 2019, the one on the right was taken in October 2021.

Just around the corner from the steps is an equally stunning back drop. We love the contrast between my sunflower-yellow dress and the cobalt-blue wall.

Bodegas Enrique Mendoza Winery

Ian and I visited Bodegas Enrique Mendoza Viticultor last year and enjoyed it so much that we went back. There is a guided tour around the small vineyard, the bottling area and the cellar followed by wine-tasting. We tried seven wines, each paired with cheese, meat or chocolate. It is absolutely fascinating and we both felt we learned even more than we did last year. The vineyard is around a 30-minute taxi ride from Calpe.

Abiss Restaurant and Gastrobar

Abiss is part of the hotel but is also a standalone fine-dining restaurant. Again, we went on both of our previous visits to Calpe. There is the option of eating in the Gastrobar (high tables, bar stools and a more relaxed menu) or in the restaurant itself. The latter has panoramic views over the beach and Peñon de Ifach, (Calpe rock). Here there is a choice of two tasting menus. The food is divine- beautifully presented and a little unusual. We loved it.

The Weather

The weather in Calpe in October is mainly warm and dry- around 25 degrees. Both times we were there in October we had a little bit of rain- a few hours on two days- but it dries up so quickly that it really isn’t a problem. It’s a good excuse to retreat into a bar abd have q glass or two of wine.

My Other Calpe Blog Posts

Calpe Rock and Beach (2019).
A Day Trip To Guadalest, Costa Blanca (2019).
Painting Calpe Old Town Red (2019).
Frappe, Flamingos and Freckles (2019).
Calpe Old Town and Market (2019).
My Birthday Celebrations in Spain (2021).
Holiday Highlights and our Favourite Restaurants in Calpe (2021).