All about Altea, general & practical information

Getting to know Altea and its history

Did you know that…

• a large fireworks display is held every year in August called ‘Castell de l’Olla‘ and that it attracts over 50,000 visitors;

• Marina Greenwich in Altea is the only marina in the world that lies exactly on the prime meridian (000° 00′ 00”);

• the beach ‘La Olla‘ (pressure cooker) owes its name to the fact that the water can be warm in certain places while it is cold elsewhere;

• the beach ‘Cap Negret‘ (black cape) owes its name to the volcanic rock that can still be found there;

• you can find bunkers in various places along the coast of Altea that stand as silent witnesses to the Spanish Civil War.

The history in brief

• Prehistory/Antiquity: the area around the river Algar was already inhabited in prehistoric times, as evidenced by the Iberian and Roman remains. The Romans built Villae Rusticae (country houses) in the area and exerted their influence along the coast;

• Middle Ages (8th – 13th century): The Moors gained the upper hand and built a fortress. The city later rose again under the Christians with the construction of the iconic parish church Nuestra Señora del Consuelo on the hill;

• Early Modern Period: After the reconquest by the Christian kings of Aragon in the 13th century, Altea gradually developed into an important center for agriculture and fishing;

• Modern Times (20th century – Present): from the 1950s onwards, the city was discovered by international artists, writers and creative people. This established Altea’s reputation as a Bohemian artists’ village, which still determines the atmosphere in the old center to this day.

The name ‘Altea’

The Iberians were the first to settle in the area. Later followed by the Greeks. They started a marketplace and called it Althaia. Named after ‘Althaea’ the mother of Meleager from Greek mythology. The word is derived from the Greek word for healing.

The geography & neighborhoods in Altea

The location of Altea

Altea is located on the northern Costa Blanca in the Marina Baixa region. The town lies directly on the Mediterranean Sea, right between Benidorm and Calpe.

Its location is defined by the bay of Altea and the mountains of the Sierra Bernia that lie directly behind the town.

The city is divided into a lower part on the coast and a higher part on a hill. In this higher part is the old center with the church. From here you have a view of the sea and the rest of the area.

Altea’s coastline consists mainly of several pebble beaches and a harbor that connects to the promenade.

The accessibility of Altea

Its location on the N-332 coastal road and the AP-7 freeway makes it easily accessible. It is about a 45-minute drive from Alicante airport.

The village of Altea la Vella, located a little further inland, also belongs to the municipality and provides the connection to the green hinterland. This makes the town a practical starting point for people who want to visit both the coast and the nearby mountains.

The map of Altea

The neighborhoods in Altea

• Altea Hills: Altea Hills is an exclusive neighborhood located in the hills of Altea and offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a gated community with 24-hour security and has many luxury villas, apartments and mansions;

• Cap Negret: Cap Negret is a neighborhood located on the western edge of Altea and has a number of beaches, hotels and restaurants;

• El Planet: El Planet is a neighborhood located on the eastern edge of Altea and has a number of beaches, bars and restaurants;

• Pueblo Mascarat: Pueblo Mascarat is a neighborhood located between Altea and Calpe with a number of beaches, bars and restaurants;

• Sierra Altea: Sierra Altea is a neighborhood located in the hills of Altea and offers beautiful views of the mountains and the sea;

• Altea la Nova: Altea la Nova is a neighborhood located on the southern edge of Altea and has a number of golf courses, tennis courts and restaurants.

Altea la Vella

Altea la Vella, located a few kilometers inland from the coast, offers a more peaceful and secluded character. It lies at the foot of the impressive Sierra de Bernia mountains and is separated from the coast by the AP-7 highway.

Although it has an intimate atmosphere with only 500 inhabitants, the village consists of two distinct parts:

• The picturesque village center: the authentic center with white houses, a church and basic amenities;

• The residential area: Sierra de Altea, a neighborhood built around the 9-hole golf course.

Tip: view a number of restaurants in Altea la Vella

Transportation & accommodation in Altea

By plane to Altea

Would you like to go on vacation to Altea? Then the nearest airport is Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC). From the airport it is about 65 kilometers to Altea, which amounts to a drive of about 50 to 60 minutes.

From the Netherlands and Belgium, companies such as Transavia, KLM, Vueling, Ryanair and TUI fly directly to Alicante, making the destination easily accessible.

Vacations to Altea

Altea is an authentic destination known primarily for its charm and artsy atmosphere. It offers a unique mix for various types of vacations:

• Cultural and atmospheric vacations: with its famous old town, iconic church with blue domes, art galleries and narrow, white streets, Altea is the place for lovers of culture and history;

• Beach vacations: the coastline of Altea is characterized by extensive pebble beaches and intimate, quiet coves, ideal for those who want to relax without the hustle and bustle of sandy beaches;

• Active vacations: the surroundings, with the nearby Sierra de Bernia and the natural park Sierra Helada, offers numerous opportunities for hiking, cycling and water sports;

• Wintering: like other places on the Costa Blanca, Altea’s mild climate makes it a popular place for winter visitors looking for tranquility and a pleasant environment.

You can opt for a package tour from a tour operator or arrange your flight and accommodation separately.

Vacation accommodation in Altea

• Hotels: Altea offers a diverse selection, from boutique hotels with lots of character in the old town to larger hotels with pools along the coastline and in the newer parts of town;

• Apartments: an excellent choice for more flexibility. You’ll find apartments with sea views on the boulevards, as well as cozy options in the middle of the winding streets of the old town;

• Vacation homes and villas: for maximum space and privacy, there are numerous vacation homes and luxury villas for rent in and around Altea. Especially in the hills such as Altea Hills, often with a private pool and spectacular views.

Many accommodations, especially in the old town and along the coast, are within walking distance of attractions, restaurants and the sea.

Shops & supermarkets

In Altea you will find several small Spanish supermarkets. For a Dutch or Belgian supermarket, the best place to go is Albir. There you will find, among others, the SuperCostaBlanca where you can buy Dutch products.

Since December 2023, Altea has had a new supermarket called MyMercat.

Tip: read the article on Altea Market for more information on great local authentic products and stores in Altea.

Parking in Altea

Free parking:

• Foietes parking lot: this small, free parking lot is near the old town and is often a good option if you’re early. Keep in mind that spaces are quickly occupied;

• Street parking: outside the old center, there are some streets where you can park for free. Pay close attention to the signs as there are often time restrictions.

Paid Parking:

• Parking garages: there are several parking garages in Altea, such as the one near the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. These are often covered and offer more security for your car;

• Parking meters: downtown there are parking meters where you can pay for a certain amount of time.

Everything at hand with the free Altea app

Do you want to be sure that you don’t miss anything from your favorite place on the Costa Blanca? Then download the free app and turn your phone into the ultimate travel guide for the entire region:

• All ‘website’ content is available: all travel guides, blogs and other tips for restaurants, activities and sights, but also accommodations;

• Simple navigation: all available information is clearly presented (per location) and you can easily navigate back and forth;

• Interactive map: explore the Costa Blanca and easily plan your routes to the most beautiful places;

• Smart location recognition: when you approach a place on the Costa Blanca, you automatically receive a notification that allows you to directly open the travel guide for that place;

• Your favorites: you can save and easily find your favorite locations, such as restaurants.

The CostaBlanca.nl app is completely free to download and use. Start planning your perfect trip today!

Question & answer (FAQ)

Handy links

• Visit Altea (Tourist information)
• Altea Wikipedia (General information)
• Spain.info Altea (Tourist information)

More tips for your visit to Altea