Altea Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Altea showing street scenes, a house and flowers
Altea which includes mountains, a coastal town and rugged coastline
Altea showing boating, a bay or harbour and a marina
Altea which includes a sandy beach and a coastal town
Altea showing a bay or harbour, a marina and landscape views

This charming historic town near Benidorm offers a relaxing beachfront with sparkling coves, markets and cafés serving sangria.

Whether you come for the Moorish-influenced food, exhilarating watersports or celebrated Spanish-Christian architecture, you will have plenty to choose from in Altea. This bohemian town is a great place to stay for a few nights or to visit during an explorative daytrip of the Costa Blanca.

Altea is much quieter than nearby Benidorm and offers a slice of Spanish history and many art galleries. With whitewashed houses perched on a scenic hill and cobbled streets weaving down to the blue Mediterranean Sea, Altea’s streetscape is actually one of its biggest attractions.

Stroll through the town to see heritage buildings and galleries around every corner. In the Poble Antic (Historic Quarter) soaring walls rise to the highest point of the town, the bell tower of the parish church called The Virgin of Consuelo. Explore the labyrinth of streets and catch glimpses of the beach and the distinctive blue-and-white dome of the Our Lady of Solace church.

Quench your thirst at the several cafés and restaurants that line the city’s best lookout points. Be sure to sample some sangria Altea’s traditional recipe is a delicious combination of wine, fruit and herbs.

The Altea market in the old town is the place to go for fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. Other local markets near the Altea sports centre sell traditional Spanish dresses in bright colours and have musical stalls, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The palm tee-lined beach is never far away. Go for a swim or take your pick from the available watersports, from serene paddleboarding to adrenaline-charged wakeboarding. Book a snorkeling or scuba-diving tour to the coastline’s coves to enjoy one of the world’s most lively marine environments.

Altea is only a 15-minute drive northeast of Benidorm by car. The town can also be reached by bus or train. Note that the old town square and wider area around the church is for pedestrians only. Be sure to pack protective footwear and a mat or foldable chair, because Altea’s beach isn’t as sandy as the others on the Costa Blanca.

SH Villa Gadea Hotel
SH Villa Gadea Hotel
5 out of 5
Partida Villa Gadea, 0, Altea, Alicante
The price is £124 per night from 5 Jun to 6 Jun
£124
includes taxes & fees
5 Jun - 6 Jun
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Altea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 outdoor pools and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (929 reviews)
"This property was beautiful and the area was beautiful. We would definitely come back. We loved the view from our room. I would rate the property as a 5 star. The only things I would say that differs from most 5 stars we have stayed is your luggage being taken to your room for you. Really small detail ..."

Reviewed on 29 Apr 2025

SH Villa Gadea Hotel
Gran H La Marina 1920
Gran H La Marina 1920
3.5 out of 5
Carrer la Mar 100, Altea, Alicante
The price is £76 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
£76
includes taxes & fees
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star pension in Altea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (77 reviews)
"Relax"

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2025

Gran H La Marina 1920
Hostal Fornet
Hostal Fornet
1 out of 5
Carrer Beniardà, 1, Altea
The price is £44 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
£44
includes taxes & fees
4 Jun - 5 Jun
Stay at this hostal in Altea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Albir Beach and Aqualandia are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (88 reviews)
"clean and nice"

Reviewed on 30 May 2025

Hostal Fornet
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pierre & Vacances Altea Beach - Port
Pierre & Vacances Altea Beach - Port
3 out of 5
Puerto deportivo Luis Campomanes, Altea, Alicante
Stay at this 3-star beach residence in Altea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions La Fossa Beach and Albir Beach are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (121 reviews)
Fantastic accommodation
"Very modern and comfortable apartment. I was surprised at the size of the apartment with room for 3 or 4 Adults. The apartment was overlooking the Altea bay club and was a short drive to Altea town. A car is essential to get around the area with limited public transportation available. Staff extremely ..."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2024

Pierre & Vacances Altea Beach - Port
Modern Apartment In The Heart Of The Old Town
Modern Apartment In The Heart Of The Old Town
Altea, Alicante
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Altea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a water park and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Albir Beach and Aqualandia are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (106 reviews)
Lovely apartment
"The apartment is ideally located for the beach, shops and restaurants. Shirley was helpful and always available to ring or text."

Reviewed on 26 May 2025

Modern Apartment In The Heart Of The Old Town
Casa Blanca, with private pool, terrace and sea view
Casa Blanca, with private pool, terrace and sea view
ALTEA, VALENCIA
Stay at this apartment in Altea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a water park. Popular attractions Albir Beach and La Fossa Beach are located nearby.
Fantastic views, lovely property in nice area, good to explore from.
"Great location. Advertised as villa with private pool but owners use downstairs when there and you rent upstairs. Lovely pool area but downstairs rather than directly outside."

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2024

Casa Blanca, with private pool, terrace and sea view
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Altea

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
14
5 - Excellent 58%
4 - Good
8
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 4%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Altea is a nice old town with many shops. The promenade is full of restaurants that look out over the sea

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

You need a car as the property is outside Altea.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Not really a holiday resort more a working town but a good base for walking or cycling. Beaches not suitable for young children or sea swimming as they are not sand they are pebbles.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Central Altea was too far to walk to from the hotel (2km) in the heat and no pavements to walk on. Used train and it was an excellent area with lots of good bars and restaurants and a great promenade.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great for relaxing weekend away. Would need to hire car and explore further a field if there for longer.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Altea old town is beautiful. Plenty of very good restaurants.

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