Parking boost for Calpe as town creates 150 new public spaces to ease summer congestion

Finding a parking space in Calpe during the busy summer season can often feel like a challenge. Now, the town hall hopes to make life easier for residents and visitors by creating 150 new public parking spaces on privately owned land close to the town centre and beaches.

Two new car parks opening soon

Calpe Town Hall has rented two privately owned plots of land for one year, allowing them to be converted into temporary public park-and-walk car parks.

The two sites are located in the Senieta area. One is opposite the tennis club at Senieta 3C, while the second is near the Vial J access road opposite the sports facilities at Senieta 7E. Each plot covers around 2,000 square metres and together they will provide space for approximately 150 vehicles. Both are expected to open to the public within the next few days.

Reducing traffic in the town centre

The initiative forms part of a wider strategy designed to reduce congestion in Calpe’s busiest areas.

Rather than encouraging motorists to drive directly into the centre, the new parking areas are intended to allow drivers to leave their vehicles on the outskirts before walking into the shopping streets, historic centre or nearby beaches.

Officials say the approach helps prioritise pedestrians, reduces traffic levels and eases pressure on parking during peak holiday periods, when visitor numbers regularly exceed the available parking capacity.

Long-term parking strategy

The move builds on a framework introduced by the council in 2022, allowing privately owned land to be rented for use as public parking where suitable municipal land is unavailable.

According to the town hall, there is not enough publicly owned land in developed parts of Calpe to meet parking demand. Renting vacant private plots offers a quicker solution while longer-term options continue to be explored.

Mayor Ana Sala said the council has spent several years identifying privately owned plots suitable for public parking close to the town centre and expanding residential areas. She added that regulated parking continues to serve a different purpose by encouraging vehicle turnover in commercial areas, while the council is continuing to search for additional locations for future park-and-walk facilities.

The latest scheme is expected to provide welcome relief during one of Calpe’s busiest times of year, with visitors able to park within walking distance of both the town centre and the popular Arenal-Bol beach.