Staying in La Muralla Roja in Calpe. Worth it or not?

After watching the popular series Squid Game, there was one thing that immediately caught my attention: the mysterious, colourful staircases. When I discovered that this striking setting was said to have been inspired by a building in Spain, my curiosity was instantly sparked. I had to see it with my own eyes! To my surprise, La Muralla Roja turned out to be located in Calpe, a striking apartment complex on Spain’s Costa Blanca. With its pink and red walls, geometric shapes, and maze-like network of staircases and corridors, the building alone is reason enough to visit Calpe. And the best part? La Muralla Roja isn’t a museum or a hotel, but a residential apartment complex where you can actually rent a holiday apartment. Needless to say, I didn’t need much convincing. Not long after discovering this, I booked my stay.

In this blog, I’ll take you inside La Muralla Roja in Calpe, share my own experience of staying there, and give you all the practical tips you need to plan your own visit.

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La Muralla Roja

Between the 1960s and 1980s, Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill designed many striking postmodern buildings. La Muralla Roja in Calpe is undoubtedly one of his most iconic creations. The complex was designed in 1968 and completed in 1973. But it isn’t the only work by Bofill you can admire in Calpe. Xanadú, El Anfiteatro and Las Villas were also designed by him. Xanadú is located right next to La Muralla Roja and is just as fascinating to see.

For the design of La Muralla Roja, Bofill drew inspiration from traditional North African kasbahs, adding his own avant-garde touch. The result is a colourful maze of staircases, courtyards, corridors and bridges connecting the different parts of the building.

Although the design may appear minimalist at first glance, every detail has been carefully considered. The many terraces and courtyards, for example, allow natural light to flow into the apartments.

The colours were also deliberately chosen. Shades of red and pink contrast with the surrounding landscape, while different shades of blue seem to blend seamlessly with the sky and the Mediterranean Sea.

How to travel Muralla Roja in Calpe?

From Belgium, the easiest way to travel to La Muralla Roja in Calpe is by plane. The nearest airport is Alicante, about an hour’s drive away. You can also fly to Valencia, although the journey from there takes a little longer.

We flew with TUI fly from Ostend to Alicante. After landing, we picked up our rental car and drove straight to Calpe. In my opinion, a rental car is the most convenient option, especially if you also want to explore other places along the Costa Blanca, such as Altea, Guadalest, Jávea and Benidorm.

Prefer to travel without a car? That’s possible too. From Alicante, you can travel to Calpe by public transport. Once you reach the centre of Calpe, you can get to La Muralla Roja on foot or by taxi.

Want to know more about flights, travel times and getting around? In my guide to the best things to do in Calpe, you’ll find all the practical information you need. I explain in more detail how to travel from Belgium to Calpe in Spain and how to get around once you’re there.

First impressions of La Muralla Roja in Calpe

After a short night, an early flight and the drive from Alicante to Calpe, we entered a neighbourhood filled with holiday homes and apartment buildings. For a moment, I thought we had taken a wrong turn. How could a building like La Muralla Roja be hidden here? Then we turned a corner and suddenly caught our first glimpse of its pink outlines emerging from behind a hill.

Jan and I were speechless for a moment. The shapes, colours and sheer scale of the building immediately made an impression. La Muralla Roja contrasts sharply with the surrounding buildings, yet somehow seems to fit perfectly into its setting.

After checking into our holiday apartment, we immediately set off to explore. And believe me: La Muralla Roja really is a maze. Staircases, corridors, terraces and courtyards criss-cross in every direction. Luckily, the different colours help you find your way around. By the end of our stay, I could even find my way back to the swimming pool without getting lost.

Each colour also gives the building a completely different atmosphere. The dark red section felt mysterious and Mediterranean, while the indigo blue reminded me of Marrakech. The combination of soft pink and pastel purple, on the other hand, gave me a real Miami Art Deco vibe.

And then there’s the light. Throughout the day, the colours, shadows and shapes are constantly changing, making La Muralla Roja look and feel different every time.

The facilities at La Muralla Roja

Security, privacy and parking

La Muralla Roja is one of the most popular attractions in Calpe and naturally attracts plenty of curious visitors. Fortunately, as a guest, you don’t have to worry about crowds of tourists wandering around the building. The complex is private property and is only accessible to residents and guests renting a holiday apartment. The grounds are enclosed by a fence and an electric gate, and there is also security on site.

Another advantage is the private parking on the property. This is especially convenient if, like us, you rent a car to explore Calpe and the Costa Blanca. You can park close to your accommodation, while your car remains safely inside the gated complex.

The swimming pool

My favourite spot at La Muralla Roja? Without a doubt, the rooftop swimming pool. The pool itself isn’t very large and is mainly perfect for cooling off on a hot day, but the location more than makes up for it. You’re completely surrounded by the colourful architecture of La Muralla Roja, while enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding area and the Mediterranean Sea.

We stayed in October, outside the high season, which meant it was wonderfully peaceful. More than once, we even had the entire pool to ourselves. It’s the perfect place to relax while taking in the unique surroundings.

The beach

Of course, such a remarkable apartment complex once had its own beach club as well. In the 1970s, Ricardo Bofill designed the Manzanera Social Club, a recreational complex with a restaurant, swimming pool and pier on the beach near La Muralla Roja. A stone staircase from the complex provided direct access to it.

You can still use that same staircase today to walk down to the beach, but unfortunately, little remains of the once-trendy beach club. What used to be a lively meeting place is now an abandoned ruin. Among the weathered walls and rubble, you’ll find colourful graffiti here and there, giving the place a slightly mysterious atmosphere.

The rocky beach itself is public and is mainly visited by curious tourists who come to see the ruins. Most of them don’t stay for very long, though. As a result, unlike the lively sandy beaches of Calpe, it’s surprisingly peaceful here.

Manzanera Social club, Calpe, Costa Blanca

Taking photos at La Muralla Roja

With its colourful walls, geometric shapes and endless staircases, it’s easy to see why La Muralla Roja is such a popular attraction in Calpe. Naturally, you’ll want to take out your camera straight away, but there are a few important rules to keep in mind.

If you’re not staying at La Muralla Roja, you can’t simply enter the building. This makes perfect sense, as it is first and foremost a residential apartment complex where people also live permanently. Still want to catch a glimpse of the building? You can walk around the area via Partida Manzanera and admire it from the outside.

Even as a guest, you need to respect the privacy of the residents. Photography is only allowed between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm and between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Drones are not permitted, and professional photoshoots require an official request in advance.

The nearby beach and the ruins of the former Manzanera Social Club are open to the public. You can follow the stone steps down from the street, where you can explore a small part of this unique setting even if you’re not staying at La Muralla Roja.

How to book a holiday apartment at La Muralla Roja?

La Muralla Roja is partly occupied by permanent residents, while several apartments are rented out to holidaymakers. You can find these on platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb. Due to the building’s popularity, prices can be quite high, especially during the peak season.

We booked an apartment for four people via Booking.com, with two bedrooms. Studios and larger apartments are also available. We stayed for nine nights in October and, thanks to travelling during the low season, the price was surprisingly reasonable.

Communication was handled by the local rental company PlusHolidays. We always received quick replies through the Booking.com app, and even checking in earlier was no problem.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite as smoothly when we arrived. According to our booking confirmation, we could collect the keys at reception. The only problem? There was no reception at all. On top of that, the complex was secured by an electric gate.

After a bit of searching, we found the address of PlusHolidays in the Booking.com app. It turned out that we had to collect our keys there. Unfortunately, the office was closed because it was Sunday.

Luckily, there was a phone number displayed on the window. We managed to reach someone quickly, and not long afterwards, we received our keys and all the information we needed.

My tip: check in advance where you need to collect your keys. If you book through a third-party rental company, chances are you won’t be able to pick them up at La Muralla Roja itself. The same applies when returning the keys at the end of your stay.

What does an apartment at La Muralla Roja look like?

Still completely amazed by the colourful architecture, I stepped inside our apartment. And to be fair? It was a bit of a surprise. The interior of our holiday apartment at La Muralla Roja was quite a contrast to the iconic design outside.

The interior was fairly simple and somewhat outdated in places, so don’t expect too much luxury. Our apartment had two small bedrooms, a living area, kitchen, bathroom and balcony. The large furniture and numerous cupboards immediately stood out. In such compact rooms, they made the space feel a little cramped, although all that storage is of course useful during a longer stay with four people.

I immediately saw plenty of potential for a little makeover. Perhaps that’s just the former holiday home owner in me. With a few changes and an interior that better reflects Bofill’s design, the apartment could have so much more character.

In the end, though, the interior didn’t really bother us. Everything we needed was there, and we spent most of our days out exploring the Costa Blanca.

And my favourite spot? Without a doubt, the balcony. From there, we had a beautiful view of the azure-blue Mediterranean Sea. With a view like that, it’s easy to forget about the slightly outdated interior.

What to do near La Muralla Roja?

From La Muralla Roja, you can easily walk along the coast to the centre of Calpe. The walk via Partida Manzanera takes about 15 minutes. Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and the impressive Peñón de Ifach.

Once you reach Calpe, there’s a surprising amount to discover. One of my favourite places is El Arrabal, the charming old Moorish quarter. Here, you can wander through narrow streets filled with colourful murals, mosaics and cosy squares. You’ll also find several lovely restaurants and terraces where you can stop for a drink or a bite to eat.

The Peñón de Ifach is another must-see. This impressive limestone rock is the iconic symbol of Calpe. If you’re up for an adventure, you can hike all the way to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the Costa Blanca. Prefer to take it a little easier? Even before reaching the tunnel, you can already enjoy some beautiful panoramic views.

There are plenty of other things to do in Calpe as well. Walk along the salt flats and spot flamingos, admire the colourful Spanish Steps or visit the Roman Baños de la Reina. And of course, you can always take a break and relax on one of Calpe’s beautiful beaches.

Want to discover more? In my complete guide to the best things to do in Calpe, you’ll find all the best places to visit, activities and practical tips for your trip.

Want to explore more of the Costa Blanca?

Thanks to Calpe’s central location, La Muralla Roja is an ideal base for exploring the Costa Blanca. Especially with a rental car, you can easily take several day trips from here. The secure parking at the complex is an added bonus.

Along the coast, there are plenty of beautiful places within easy reach. Wander through the whitewashed streets of Altea, explore charming Jávea or head to Benidorm. But don’t limit yourself to the coast. The inland Costa Blanca really surprised me too. Here, you’ll discover beautiful mountain landscapes, charming villages and incredible places such as Guadalest.

Have a little more time? You can also combine your trip with a visit to Valencia. This vibrant city is perfect for a day trip or an extra overnight stay.

Looking for even more inspiration? In my guides to the best things to do on the Costa Blanca and the inland Costa Blanca, you’ll find my favourite places, day trips and practical tips.

Guadalest, Costa Blanca, Alicante, Spain

Font's de L'algar, Costa Blanca, Alicante, Spain

We look back on our stay at La Muralla Roja with such great memories. The opportunity to spend a few days living inside this iconic building alone made our trip extra special. Getting lost among the colourful staircases, relaxing by the pool and waking up to views of the Mediterranean Sea made it a truly unique experience.

What’s more,La Muralla Roja is an ideal base for exploring Calpe and the Costa Blanca. After a full day of sightseeing, you get to return to a place that is an attraction in its own right.

So, is staying at La Muralla Roja in Calpe worth it? For me, the answer is a definite yes! If you love unique architecture, photography and extraordinary places to stay, then a stay at La Muralla Roja is definitely an experience to add to your bucket list.

Thanks for reading!