Altea, a charming coastal town in Alicante

There are tons of charming cute towns in the province of Valencia. Since I’m currently based in Valencia City, I have the chance to visit some of the greatest ones, such as Peñiscola, which is characterized by its white and blue colors in its amazing old town. In this article, however,  I want to tell you about a city which a lot of Valencian people have told me about and which, in a way, has some similarities with Peñiscola: its name is Altea.

Altea is a fascinating town located in the north of the province of Alicante, on the section of the Mediterranean coast called the Costa Blanca- very close to Calpe. Its typical beautiful cobblestones streets and crystal clear beaches make this town the perfect place to escape. Altea has been visited by many different national and international artists such as Eberhard Schlotter, Rafael Alberti, etc., who considered it a very inspiring place and fell in love with it – this gives Altea a bohemian vibe! On top of this, the weather in Altea is usually quite warm and sunny during all the seasons of the year!

Altea's historical centre

The most beautiful part of Altea, apart from its excellent beaches, is its old town or historical center, which is full of old houses with white facades, paved grounds, and stepped streets. You can also find plenty of beach viewpoints and balconies full of geraniums and jasmines that create an impressive setting. The smell of the plants and the sea make the old town an incredible place to view and perfect for a quiet ride. But the gem of the historical center is without any doubt the Iglesia de la Virgen del Consuelo (Our Lady of Solace), a fundamental picturesque church in Altea, with two beautiful domes, covered in blue and white tiles of ceramic glaze. It is absolutely lovely to see!

If you visit this Mediterranean town, notice that if visiting by car, you will need to park away from the church area as the surrounding area is off-limits to vehicles, and the streets are so narrow and steep that cars cannot actually pass.

Church Virgen del Consuelo in Altea

Plaza Iglesia, 2, 03590 Altea, Alicante, España

Altea's beaches

There are different sections of traditional beaches with coves and areas with cliffs that spread through more than 6 km. The beaches of Altea are mostly pebbled, not sandy. One of the things I like the most is that usually they are not overcrowded, and this is one of the strongest points of Altea. You can also practice different types of water sports, if you go with family or with children, such as sailing, snorkeling, diving, or hiking around Serra de Bèrnia (Bernia Mountain Range).

During day time, Altea’s wide range of blues and white and its baroque church with the domes will envelop you with well-being, and at night, you will love its glimpses, especially those by the port. Its bohemian vibe stands out, and I recommend you visit its markets and craft shops. Finally, its beaches, which are not overcrowded, and its nice, warm weather are ideal for rest and disconnection!