Your guide to Calpe.

The apartment sits on Playa de la Fossa, the north beach, with the Peñón de Ifach rock to your right and the old town behind. 11A Calpe, Carrer Llevant, 1, 03710 Calp, Alicante, Spain.

Calpe is split by the Peñón de Ifach rock into two long sandy beaches. Playa de la Fossa, also called Levante, is your doorstep beach: fine golden sand, calm shallow water, Blue Flag, with a promenade of bars and restaurants. On the far side of the rock is Playa Arenal-Bol, closer to the old town, a little quieter, worth the wander through the marina streets to get there. Both are family-friendly with gentle, protected water.

Paddleboards, kayaks and more are hired straight off the sand in front of the apartment, roughly 15 to 35 euros an hour. You don't need to plan a thing, just walk down.

The 332-metre rock that defines Calpe, a nature reserve with a walking trail that runs through a tunnel to the summit and staggering views over both bays. You must book in advance through the visitors' centre to climb it, and wear proper shoes, the top is steep. Allow half a day.

A short way up the hill, the Casco Antiguo is a maze of whitewashed streets, mosaics and murals, with the famous Spanish-flag painted steps, the old church and little squares for a drink. Real, traditional Spain away from the seafront. Loveliest at golden hour.

The marina is the spot for proper fresh fish and boat trips, including catamaran sunset cruises. And right in the middle of town are Las Salinas, the salt flats, home to flamingos and over 170 bird species. An easy, surprising stop.

A few to start with: Tango, right on La Fossa by the apartment, for the view and a happy-hour drink. The marina for fresh seafood. The old town squares for tapas. And a sky bar on the Arenal side for sundowners. Ask Paul for his personal picks.

A few things worth knowing. Uber does operate in Calpe, but it can be expensive and wait times are often 15 to 30 minutes, so it is best to book ahead rather than expect one immediately. A trip to or from Alicante airport by Uber is usually around €100 each way. Hiring a car can work out much cheaper per day and is a great choice if you plan to get around a lot or explore the wider Costa Blanca. Alicante airport is about an hour by car. Calpe is also very bike-friendly, and hiring bikes is an easy way to move between the beaches, the marina and the old town.

One of Europe's great winter cycling bases, right on your doorstep.

From October to April, while the rest of Europe is grey, the mountains behind Calpe are bathed in warm sun and quiet roads, which is why WorldTour pro teams base their winter training camps here. Smooth tarmac, steady rideable climbs and a café stop every 30 to 40 km make it a paradise on two wheels for every level. Paul rides here often and is happy to share his favourite loops.

The rides

Coll de Rates — the region's iconic climb and a must-do, around 6.5 km at a steady 5 to 6 percent from Parcent. Port de Bernia — a scenic loop out of Xalo with beautiful sea views on the descent. Vall d'Ebo and Guadalest — bigger mountain days inland for stronger riders. Coastal spin — an easy, flatter seafront roll straight from the door.

Bike hire and guiding

Bikes, guided rides and camps are well established in Calpe. Blanca Bikes and Coll de Rates Cycling both offer quality road bike hire, delivery and guided days. Book ahead in peak winter months (November to February), when the pros are in town and demand is high.

Good to know

Best riding is October to April, mild and sunny, often short sleeves by midday. Alicante airport is about a 45-minute drive; most airlines carry boxed bikes for a reasonable fee. Roads climb quickly inland, so expect steady gradients rather than flat riding.