Altea, Costa Blanca (Spain) updated 2024.
Discover why Altea is the most picturesque town in Spain.
Altea: Spain’s Most Picturesque Town
Altea Old Town
The historical Altea ‘old town’ is poised on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, guarded by the imposing Sierra Bernia mountain ridge.
Steeped in Mediterranean culture, Altea has always been a refuge for poets, artists and musicians.
The atmosphere is decidedly relaxed and unmistakably Mediterranean; fine dining al fresco, stylish restaurants and pizzerias with a haute flair, trendy pubs, pretty patios and rooftop terraces. Altea is romantic and unforgettable!
An emblematic blue domed church sits at the top of this ancestral Costa Blanca village; a maze of narrow cobbled streets lined with traditional houses, whitewashed walls with bright bougainvillea and geranium-filled balconies, twist up to the lively church square.
There are secret corners to discover on the way up to the plaza, with glimpses of the sea and mountains at every turn, and amazing views of Altea Bay.
Altea Seafront Promenade
A wide promenade and boardwalk define the modern seafront which is bordered by a remarkable variety of restaurants and street cafés – a choice of Mediterranean, Spanish, European, or even Asian cuisine… and cocktail bars ranging from the smoothly sophisticated to colourfully Caribbean.
Shopping ranges from exclusive high street fashion extravaganza, to handmade jewelley and gifts sold at craft stalls, beachside sketches or works-of-art in an artist studio. Browse the many art and craft shops, and discover the handicraft fairs and stalls, which you can find set up somewhere in Altea most times of the year.
Best Beaches in Altea
Altea bay is part of the protected Sierra Helada Natural Park. If you are fortunate you can see bottlenose dolphins swimming in the sparkling clear sea. The coastline is a succession of beaches and pebble coves.
Mascaret Beach
Mascaret beach is next to Campomanes Marina, an exclusive yachting harbour with restaurants and cocktail lounges. You can enjoy a variety of nautical activities including sailing, scuba diving, jetski, outrigger, SUP, kayak, boats charters and guided tours.
La Barreta and La Solsida
La Barreta and La Solsida are secluded naturist coves, accessible on foot.
L’Olla Beach
L’Olla is a long pebble beach located between the tiny harbours of El Senso and El Portet.
On l’Olla beach in summertime, there are a couple of beach restaurant ‘chiringuitos’ serving local cuisine, and shady picnic areas which are popular for families.
This is a great place to hire a kayak in summer from one of the little harbours, and wonderful for a quiet stroll in winter. There is a designated ‘dog beach’ here too. Other attractions include a cycle path.
Cap Negret Beach
Continue along to Cap Negret beach and the scenic Algar River Estuary. There are signposted walks and bicycle routes into the surrounding countryside. The annual Altea night walk from Guadalest ends here (takes place in the middle of July).
L’espigó Beach
L’espigó is the name of the white pebble beach which stretches for 300 metres from the mouth of River Algar to the central part of Altea’s coast. The original shoreline was washed away by storms some 40 years ago, and replaced with a seawall and lagoon. In 2016 this area was totally remodelled into a crescent shaped beach leading down to the clear blue Mediterranean sea, and is now protected by breakwaters.
El Bol Beach
A brand new promenade runs from L’espigó to El Bol beach and the main stretch of Altea’s seafront restaurants.
La Roda Beach
La Roda is Altea’s main beach; a large expanse of white pebbles with large sandy areas, it is ideal for families. There are kiddies’ play parks, beach volley and other games, and even yoga classes on the beach! There’s a huge choice of restaurants, ice-cream parlours and cafés along the seafront.
The wide tree-lined promenade which borders La Roda beach has splendid views across Altea bay, up the coast to Calpe and the landmark Peñon de Ifach rock.
Further along the wide esplanade you’ll see the fishing port, leisure harbour and Altea Nautical Club, where there’s a sailing school and numerous watersport activities.
Cap Blanc Beach
You can walk right along the coastline from El Albir to L’Olla beach, a distance of some nine kilometres. But if you don’t fancy going so far, there is a pleasant walk along Altea waterfront to Cap Blanc beach, and further along the coast to El Albir at the southern end of the bay, defined by the Sierra Helada cliffs and Albir lighthouse.
Altea La Vieja
Altea La Vieja is a sleepy hamlet just inland from the coast, where whitewashed houses line narrow steep streets and the surrounding countryside is filled with the scent of orange blossom.
Laying in the foothills of Sierra Bernia – where there is one of the best hikes in Costa Blanca up to the ruins of a fort – this settlement was the origin of modern-day Altea.
Fiestas in Altea
Every year on the second Saturday in August, a monumental firework display is set off from specially erected platforms in the sea, just off L’Olla beach.
Thousands of people flock to watch the internationally renowned pyrotechnic show, known as Castell de L´Olla.
Typically everyone takes a picnic to the beach on the night of San Lorenzo… or charters a boat to anchor offshore, to enjoy a truly magical night under the shooting stars. See our video!
Don’t miss the local Moors and Christians fiestas at the end of September…colourful parades and firework displays guarantee the fun.
Reasons to Visit Altea
Altea is the perfect base for a holiday, whether you’re looking to relax beside the sea in the sunshine or want to explore further afield.
Conveniently located in the centre of the Costa Blanca you can day-trip to hundreds of incredible beaches; mega resort Benidorm (10 minutes by car) offers everything in entertainment from theme parks to nightclubs.
Just inland from Altea, you’ll find picturesque villages and fabulous mountain scenery, with a tremendous variety of hiking and cycle routes.
Altea is fast becoming one of Spain’s most sought-after destinations, fantastic for families, friends or couples… peaceful but lively, traditional and trendy, classy but laid back, mountains and sea. As you can see from the photos, Altea is the most picturesque town in Spain and has a characteristic charm of its own.
How to Get to Altea
- Nearest airport El Altet, Alicante (71km)
- Taxi or Uber
- Prebook private airport transfer or shuttle service
- Car hire
- Access by road via A7 motorway exit 64, or N-332
- TRAM from Alicante City
- Accommodation ranges from traditional seaside pensions, luxurious 5* resorts, modern villas and apartments, quaint town houses, and rural hotels.
For Things to Do, What’s on and Events in Altea
This Google Earth Tour flies over Altea Bay
*A Google Earth Tour Video. Music ‘Now & Forever’ written by R. Marx. Guitar version by The Hutch c2018.
SoundCloud.
Related Features: Picturesque Towns on the Costa Blanca
Alicante Province (North to South)
- Costa Blanca Beaches and Coastal Resorts – Our comprehensive guide to the Costa Blanca with info on outdoor activities, watersports, local history, cuisine, fiestas, getting here…
- Denia
- Ondara
- Moraira
- Benissa
- Calpe
- Jalón Valley
- Altea
- Alfaz de Pi and El Albir
- La Nucía
- Polop de la Marina
- Guadalest Valley – Guadalest village & reservoir walk
- Guadalest Valley – Benimantell, Beniarda, Benifato, Abdet, Confrides
- Benidorm
- Finestrat
- Finestrat – Mountains Walks – Puig Campana
- Villajoyosa
- El Campello
- San Juan beach
- Alicante
- Tabarca Island
- Torrevieja
- Rojales
- Pilar de La Horadada
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