Altea is a charming and peaceful seaside town on Costa Blanca where it seems as if time has stopped. The town is also a paradise for artists where you’ll find numerous workshops, small art galleries, and craft shops with various handmade items. In this post, you’ll find everything you need to know, from the old town to the best beaches. Vamos, let’s go for a short walk and discover great things to do in Altea, Spain.
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Altea, Spain FAQ
Altea is located in the heart of Costa Blanca in the Province of Alicante, in the Valencian Community, close to popular holiday destinations like Benidorm or Alicante, and other beautiful small towns like Calpe, Finestrat, Guadalest, or Villajoyosa.
The answer can’t be any other than: of course, Altea is totally worth visiting. Whitewashed houses, narrow cobbled streets, and stunning beaches with calming sea views – this town has it all! Although the town is quite small, there is plenty to do and see.
Altea is best known for its charming white old town, the spectacular blue dome of the main church – Cúpula del Mediterráneo which is visible from afar, several beautiful beaches, tasty local seafood cuisine, and colorful festivals like Altea Moors and Christians festival.
Altea is a perfect destination for one-day trips, nice weekends, and even a home base for longer stays to slowly discover Costa Blanca. We recommend staying at least 2 days to see the town without rushing.
Altea is located only about 15km from Benidorm.
Things to do in Altea, Spain in one day
Altea Old Town
Exploring Altea Old Town, Casco Antiguo, should be number one on your list of things to do in town. Take a stroll through the picturesque maze of narrow steep cobbled streets and whitewashed houses decorated with flowers. There you can also enjoy many craft shops, art galleries, cafeterias, and restaurants. Don’t rush, take your time and explore this charming labyrinth.
Discover: Accommodation options in Altea
Church of Our Lady of Consolation
The Church of Our Lady of Consolation (es. Nuestra Señora del Consuelo) is located in the Plaza de la Iglesia, the heart of the Altea old town. The church is a beautiful architectural work of neo-baroque style built on the foundations of an ancient temple. It’s topped with a distinctive blue dome which can’t be missed as it’s visible from many places in town. You can visit it for free during opening hours – to check them visit the church website.
Altea Viewpoints
Since the Altea old town is located on a hill, there are many places with amazing views over the Mediterranean Sea and its coastline, Benidorm, Calpe, and Sierra Helada Natural Park. But these three viewpoints, in particular, deserve attention so be sure not to miss them:
- Mirador de los Cronistas
- El Mirador Blanco
- Mirador Penyó d’Ifac
Altea Promenade
After visiting the old town, it’s time to go down to the seaside district. Altea promenade starts at the port and runs for about 2km, offering spectacular views over the bay and pebbly beaches. Along with it, you’ll find many restaurants, cafes, and bars and taste various cuisines.
While walking on a promenade (and old town too!) your eyes definitely won’t miss some *bold* (as some think so) sculptures. It’s work by Antoni Miro, called ‘From Sea to Sea’, composed of 26 large sculptures made of large metal panels. Sculptures are inspired by images Miró found illustrated on ancient Greek pottery, and some of them are highly erotic.
Altea Beaches
Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Altea is to hit the beach. Along its 6 km-long coastline, the town offers many stunning beaches, most of them less crowded than those in Benidorm. So if you’re looking for a quieter more relaxed atmosphere – Altea is your place.
The most popular Altea beaches are Playa la Roda (closest to the city center), Playa De Altea, Playa del Albir, and Playa de L’Espigó. Remember that most of them aren’t sandy but pebbly, so consider taking sunbeds, and hard-soled flip-flops with you.
Book now: Charming Villages Tour: Villajoyosa and Altea
Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel is located in the hills of town and is another interesting place to see in Altea. It’s located outside the main roads, plus it’s slightly hidden behind trees so it can be overlooked very easily. This was the first Orthodox church built in Spain, and its structure, iconography, and goldwork reflect a 17th-century Russian Orthodox church. It’s a very spectacular piece of architecture. The church can be visited every morning and in the early evening on weekends.
El Jardín de los Sentidos
El Jardín de los Sentidos, the garden of the senses, is located only 4km away from the Altea town center, away from bustling areas. It’s an exotic garden with plants from all over the world. If you like spending time in nature or just looking for a quiet place, it’ll be a perfect place for you.
Entrance to El Jardín de los Sentidos costs €10 (April 2024). 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 official website.
Marina Greenwich
Marina Greenwich is located on the outskirts of Altea, just 5km from the old town, right next to the Playa Mascarat. Marina’s name comes from its unique position directly on the Greenwich meridian (000º 00 ’00’), which also makes it the only port in the world located at this point. Around you can find a few restaurants, where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the bay.
Altea Market
Altea street market is held every Tuesday on Carrer de la Filarmónica, close to the promenade. There you’ll get a chance to buy products like vegetables, fruits, meat, cheese, clothes, household items, or jewelry.
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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. For great car rental deals visit the Rental Cars website.
Where to park in Altea?
There are many parking lots available in Altea, both free and paid. We left our car in this free parking lot, just a 5min walk from Plaza Iglesia, and 15min from Playa La Roda.
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 last only about 15min (€1-3) and 1 hour from Alicante (€2-4). You can check out map of available connections on mapa-metro.com. To learn more about tram connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Altea by bus
From many places on the coast, you can also reach Altea by bus. For example, a trip from Benidorm will take about 50min (€1-2), 1h15min from Villajoyosa (€4-7), and 1h from Alicante (€9-14). To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website. Most routes are operated by ALSA bus service and you can also check connections on their 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 15min (€24-29), 15min from Calpe (€28-35), and 50min from Alicante (€120-160). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Things to do in Altea, Spain in one day – 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. Hopefully, now you know what are the best things to do in Altea and how to spend your day there. So one thing left to say… Have a wonderful time in Altea! We’re 99% sure you’ll love it!
Our opinion about Altea, Spain
For us, a visit to Altea was a one-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 and the town was fairly quiet. But it might have had something to do with the weather as it was cloudy and windy that day. But even despite that, we really enjoyed our time in Altea. Wandering among old town streets, admiring local art, and strolling along the seaside promenade was nice. Until today it’s one of our favorite places on Costa Blanca!
Book now: Altea: Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Altea?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Altea:
Where to sleep in Altea?
Hotel Boutique La Serena
Hotel Boutique La Serena is a charming boutique hotel located in the heart of Altea, Spain. With stylish and comfortable rooms, a rooftop terrace with stunning views, and a great location, it's the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway.
Piso Mar Alta
Piso Mar Alta is a cozy and comfortable apartment located in Altea with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. It features a fully equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, and a private terrace for a relaxing stay.
Hotel Tossal d’Altea
Hotel Tossal d'Altea is a charming hotel located in a restored 18th-century country house with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel features cozy rooms, an outdoor pool, a restaurant serving traditional Mediterranean cuisine, and a tranquil garden.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
