Hola! Welcome to Altea, a charming and peaceful seaside town nestled along Costa Blanca. Whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, Mediterranean views, amazing beaches… It’s a charming place where it seems as if time has stopped. Believe us, Altea is a real pleasure to explore! The town is also a paradise for artists – here you’ll find numerous workshops, small art galleries, and craft shops with various handmade items perfect to buy as a souvenir. Vamos, let us show you amazing things to do in Altea, Spain in one day.
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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. It’s close to nearby 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! Whitewashed houses, narrow cobbled streets, and stunning beaches with calming sea views… Although Altea is quite small, there is plenty to do and see and for sure every traveler will find a perfect activity for themself.
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, local seafood cuisine, and colorful festivals like Altea Moors and Christians festival.
Altea is a perfect destination for a day trip. One day is enough to see all the main attractions and get a good feel of what Altea is all about. But if you want to experience the village more, we recommend staying around 2-3 days.
Altea is located only about 15km from Benidorm.
Things to do in Altea, Spain in one day
Altea Old Town
Exploring the old town should be number one on your list of things to do in Altea. Take a stroll through the picturesque maze of narrow steep streets full of whitewashed houses decorated with beautiful flowers, and admire magnificent views over the coast… In Altea old town you can also enjoy many craft shops, art galleries, cafeterias, and restaurants. Don’t rush, take your time and explore this charming labyrinth. Now let’s take a closer look at what it hides.
Oh, and if you don’t want to plan your trip to Altea by yourself, you can always take advantage of a guided tour! We recommend this awesome Charming Villages Tour To Altea & Villajoyosa.
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 square, 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 the church for free during opening hours.
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, as well as places like Benidorm, Calpe, and Sierra Helada Natural Park.
These three viewpoints, in particular, deserve attention so be sure not to miss them during your time in Altea:
- Mirador de los Cronistas
- El Mirador Blanco
- Glorieta del Maño
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, pebbly beaches, and Penon de Ifach mountain in Calpe.
Along the promenade, you’ll find many restaurants, cafes, and bars offering various cuisines. There is also a children’s playground, many places to sit and relax, and an Altea sign perfect for some Instagram-worthy photos.
Also, you’ll find the Altea Tourist Office along the promenade – head to Calle San Pedro 14.
Altea Beaches
Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Altea is to hit the beach, no matter the season. Along its 6 km-long coastline, the town offers many stunning beaches, most of them less crowded than for example ones 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.
Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel (es. Temple de l’Arcàngel Miquel d’Altea) 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.
Entrance to the Russian Orthodox Church costs €3 (April 2025). 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
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 2025). 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 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.
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 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 2 hours from Alicante (€2-4). You can check out a 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 55 minutes, 1h15min from Villajoyosa, and 1 hour from Alicante. 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 15 minutes (€19-23), 15 minutes from Calpe (€22-27), and 50 minutes 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. It’s definitely one of the best places in the Province of 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 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!
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 town!
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.
SH Villa Gadea
SH Villa Gadea is a luxurious hotel located in Altea, offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel features elegant rooms with private terraces, multiple dining options, and a comprehensive spa with thermal pools and a gym. Guests can enjoy lagoon-style outdoor pools and easy access to nearby beaches for a relaxing coastal getaway.
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.
