Hola! Welcome to Altea, one of the most picturesque white villages on Costa Blanca in Spain. With its charming cobbled streets filled with whitewashed houses and stunning views over the Mediterranean, Altea is the perfect destination for a relaxed day trip. Whether you’re drawn to the charming old town, the thriving art scene, or peaceful beaches, there are many amazing things to do in Altea for every traveler. This coastal gem is also a paradise for artists, with plenty of small galleries, local workshops, and craft shops offering beautiful handmade souvenirs. Ready to explore Altea? Vamos!
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Altea, Spain FAQ
Altea is located in the heart of Costa Blanca, in the Province of Alicante, within the Region of Valencia. It sits between the bustling Benidorm and the charming Calpe, and is close to other beautiful small towns like Finestrat, Villajoyosa, or Denia.
Absolutely! Altea is a one of the most beautiful places on Costa Blanca, full of charm and character. Its whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, peaceful beaches, and breathtaking sea views make it a fantastic spot for a relaxed getaway. While small, there are plenty of things to do in Altea – no matter if you’re into art, nature, history, or food.
Altea is best known for its charming whitewashed old town, the iconic blue-domed church, several beautiful beaches, tasty local seafood cuisine, and vibrant festivals like the Moors and Christians.
One day in Altea is enough to see all the town’s main highlights and enjoy its unique charm. A day trip gives you time to explore the old town, relax on the beach, visit a few art galleries, and enjoy a meal by the sea. If you want to discover more hidden spots and soak up the slow-paced vibe even more, consider staying a couple of nights.
Things to do in Altea, Spain
Altea Old Town streets
Exploring the old town is without a doubt one of the top things to do in Altea. This iconic white village on the Costa Blanca is known for its delightful maze of narrow, steep streets lined with whitewashed houses adorned with vibrant flowers. And as you wander uphill, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over the coast too! Altea old town is also home to many craft shops, small art galleries, cozy cafés, and restaurants serving delicious local food.
Among Altea old town, you’ll find points of interest like the Church of Our Lady of Consolation (one with an iconic blue dome), and viewpoints like Mirador de los Cronistas or El Mirador Blanco. Let’s take a closer look.
Travel tip. If you don’t want to plan your day trip to Altea by yourself, you can always take advantage of a guided tour. We recommend this well-rated Charming Costa Blanca’s Villages Tour To Altea & Villajoyosa from Alicante.
Church of Our Lady of Consolation
One of the most iconic landmarks of the town, and a must on any list of things to do in Altea, is visiting the Church of Our Lady of Consolation. This stunning neo-baroque church is located in the Plaza de la Iglesia square, and stands proudly at the highest point of the village.
It was built on the foundations of an ancient temple, and today it’s best known for its striking blue-and-white tiled dome, which is visible from nearly every corner of Altea. Be sure to step inside and admire the peaceful interior. Entry is free during opening hours.
Altea Viewpoints
One of the highlights of visiting Altea’s old town is the stunning panoramic views. Thanks to its hilltop location, the village offers incredible viewpoints over the Mediterranean Sea and the Costa Blanca coastline. From several spots, you can also catch glimpses of nearby destinations like Benidorm, Calpe, and the Sierra Helada Natural Park.
During your time in Altea, be sure not to miss these three viewpoints: Mirador de los Cronistas, El Mirador Blanco, and Glorieta del Maño. They’re all within easy walking distance in the old town and visiting them is one of the best free things to do in Altea.
Altea Promenade
After exploring the old town, head down to the village seaside area to enjoy another amazing thing to do in Altea – walking along its scenic promenade. It stretches for about 2 kilometers from the port along the waterfront. Promenade offers spectacular views of the bay, pebbled beaches, and the iconic Peñón de Ifach mountain rising in the distance in Calpe.
Along the promenade, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars serving everything from fresh seafood to international cuisine. There’s also a children’s playground, benches to sit and enjoy the sea breeze, and an Altea sign perfect for some Instagram-worthy photos.
Altea Tourist Office is located right along the promenade, at Calle San Pedro 14. It’s a great stop if you’d like maps and local tips.
Altea Beaches
Spending some time at the beach is another great thing to do in Altea, no matter the season. Stretching along 6 kilometers of Costa Blanca coastline, Altea offers several scenic beaches that are often much quieter and less crowded than the busier ones in nearby towns like Benidorm. If you’re looking for a more relaxed, peaceful seaside experience, Altea will be the perfect choice.
The most popular beaches in Altea include: Playa la Roda (closest to the village center and easily accessible from the promenade), Playa de Altea, Playa del Albir, and Playa de L’Espigó.
Keep in mind that most of Altea’s beaches are pebble, not sandy, so it’s a good idea to bring a pair of hard-soled flip-flops and consider renting a sunbed for extra comfort.
Russian Orthodox Church
If you’re looking for a unique thing to do in Altea, beyond the old town and beaches, don’t miss the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel. This striking building is quite easy to miss, as it’s hidden away in the hills just outside the village’s main tourist areas. But absolutely worth the short detour!
The Church of St. Michael the Archangel was the first Russian Orthodox church built in Spain. Its architecture is truly amazing, inspired by traditional 17th-century designs. From ornate iconography to intricate goldwork, the interior offers a peaceful, spiritual experience and a glimpse into Eastern Orthodox traditions.
Entrance to the Russian Orthodox Church costs €3 (March 2026). The fee includes a small candle to light in the church. For current prices and opening hours visit orthodox.es website.
El Jardín de los Sentidos
Just 4 km from Altea’s old town, you’ll find one of the area’s hidden gems: El Jardín de los Sentidos – the Garden of the Senses. This lush, exotic garden is home to hundreds of plant species from all over the world. Wander through winding paths surrounded by vibrant flowers, tropical greenery, and tranquil corners, all designed to awaken all five senses. It’s the perfect spot for nature lovers or anyone looking to slow down and enjoy a moment of peace.
Entrance to Garden of the Senses costs €10 (March 2026). Remember that entrance is exclusively for people over 15 years old. Pets are not allowed too. For current prices and opening hours visit jardindelossentidos.com’s website.
Altea Market
If you’re visiting on a Tuesday, be sure to check out the lively Altea street market, held weekly on Carrer de la Filarmónica, just a short walk from the promenade. Here, you’ll find everything from fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and meats to clothing, household items, and handmade jewelry. This open-air market is a great place to experience Altea’s flavours, soak in the local vibe, or pick up interesting souvenirs.
Explore local attractions
How to get to Altea, Spain?
Altea is located about 10km from Calpe, 15km from Benidorm, 20km from Villajoyosa, 60km from Alicante, and 130km from Valencia. The most convenient way to get to Altea is by car or tram.
Where to park in Altea?
There are many parking lots available in Altea, both free and paid. We can recommend this free parking lot, just a 5 minutes walk from Plaza Iglesia square, and 15 minutes from Playa La Roda beach.
Airports near Altea
The closest airports to Altea are located in Alicante (70km away) and Valencia (150km away). Both airports offer direct bus connections with Altea. To learn more about connections that might interest you, visit rome2rio.com website.
To Altea by tram
Altea also has a tram station and you can easily get there from other towns nearby like Benidorm, Alicante, Calpe, or Villajoyosa. For example, a trip from Benidorm will take only about 15 minutes. You can check out a map of available tram connections on mapa-metro.com website. To learn more about tram connections that might interest you, visit the rome2rio.com website.
To Altea by bus
From many places on Costa Blanca, you can also reach Altea by bus. For example, a trip from Benidorm will take about 55 minutes, 1h 10 minutes from Villajoyosa, and 1 hour from Alicante. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Altea by taxi
The most expensive option, but also the fastest one if you care about time. For example, a trip from Benidorm will take only about 15 minutes (€20-24), 15 minutes from Calpe (€22-27), and 50 minutes from Alicante (€90-110). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Things to do in Altea, Spain – Summing up
Altea has something magical in it, doesn’t it? Narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and stunning beaches with calming sea views come together just perfectly. It’s definitely one of the best towns to visit near Alicante! The choice of things to do in Altea might not be too long but we’re sure that you’ll have a fantastic time there! Enjoy!
Our opinion about Altea
For us, a visit to Altea was a day trip from nearby Benidorm where we lived for a few weeks. We visited the town in November and during that time there weren’t too many tourists around and the town was peaceful. But it might have had something to do with the weather as it was cloudy and very windy that day.
Despite the grey skies, we truly enjoyed wandering through the whitewashed streets of the Altea old town, admiring local art, and strolling along the seaside promenade. Until today it remais one of our favorite places on Costa Blanca!
Update. We visited Altea again 3 years later (also in low season, in January) and we hold to our opinion – it’s truly a lovely white village which once more stole our hearts!
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Altea?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Altea:
