10 Best Things to Do in Altea, Costa Blanca

Are you looking for the best things to do in Altea? This guide includes them all.

During my time in Costa Blanca, I travelled to a few towns near Alicante, and Altea really impressed me. Its whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets and breathtaking views of the coast and Calpe make Altea worth visiting.

Whilst the town isn’t home to many attractions, wandering its picturesque streets, visiting its church, and soaking up its relaxing atmosphere are the main activities in this charming town.

If you want to make the most of a day in Altea, check out these 10 fantastic things to do in Altea and its surroundings, as well as tips to help you make the most of this beautiful town. 

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10 Things to do in Altea, Costa Blanca

1. Wander the Old Town

Wandering the old town of Altea is an experience. Get lost in its streets and contemplate the Moorish architecture, cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings with hanging plants and bright bougainvillaea flowers.

The streets in Altea are very picturesque, and you can spend some time leisurely walking, soaking up the peaceful atmosphere, and taking pictures.

Its whitewashed and cobblestone streets reminded me of towns like Frigiliana in Malaga, my hometown, but it also has some of the characteristics you would find in some Greek islands.

The old town is also home to boutique shops that sell unique gifts like pottery and ceramic objects, jewellery, restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating, and art galleries that are worth stopping by.

In addition to this, if you’re passionate about taking street photos, here is a list of the prettiest streets in Altea:

• Carrer Major
• Carrer Salamanca
• Carrer Santa Bárbara
• Carrer Sant Miguel
• Carrer Bonavista

2. Visit Nuestra Señora del Consuelo Church

Located in Plaza de la Iglesia, in the old town of Altea, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo is an emblematic building that you can’t miss during your visit to Altea.

It’s considered a Bien de Interés Cultural, which can be translated as a good of cultural interest, since 2013.

This religious building dates back to the Modern era, as part of it was built at the beginning of the 17th century next to the town fortress. However, the actual church was built in the 19th century and refurbished in 1980 and has a Neoclassic and Modern architectural style.

Its facade is to admire, and its two domes made of blue and white mosaic tiles are one of the elements that make this church unique, and you can find the church simply by seeing these domes and getting closer to them. You don’t even need Google Maps.

Apart from seeing it from the outside, I recommend visiting its interior because it’s beautiful too. The church entry is free.

3. Enjoy its viewpoints

When you visit the old town of Altea, you’ll be able to enjoy scenic coastal views from any point in the town because of its location.

However, there are a few viewpoints you don’t want to miss as they offer the best views in Altea. These viewpoints are:

• Mirador de Portal Vell. It’s the most beautiful viewpoint, which offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and Peñón de Ifach, a natural park situated in Calpe.
• Mirador de la Plaza de la Iglesia. On one of the sides near the church square, you’ll find this impressive viewpoint which overlooks the coast, Calpe Rock, and you can also have a glimpse of Benidorm on a clear day. This viewpoint is also known as Mirador de Los Cronistas.

4. Walk on the beach promenade

Despite the old town of Altea being the highlight of the town, you don’t want to miss its beach promenade either. It goes all the way from La Roda Beach to Albir, and it’s a beautiful place to enjoy a romantic or family walk and watch the sunset.

The promenade is also home to many restaurants and bars where you can sip a drink or enjoy a meal.

If you visit it on a Sunday, you’ll see many families with kids and dogs around.

This beach isn’t my favourite in Costa Blanca because it isn’t sandy, but I love the views from there and recommend visiting.

5. Hit the beach

Costa Blanca has excellent golden sand beaches where you can relax and easily spend a day. However, this isn’t the case in Altea. The beaches of Altea have pebbles, so you’ll need to get some good shoes to walk on the shore.

The main beach is Playa La Roda, which is the nearest to the old town of Altea. It’s a tranquil pebble beach with a beautiful promenade.

Other beaches in Altea are:

• Playa Cap Blanc
• Playa del Cap Negret
• Playa de la Olla

6. Go on a Catamaran Cruise

A catamaran cruise is another experience to add to your day trip to Altea. I wish I had time for it! Unfortunately, it was winter, so no chance of doing this, but it’s on my list for next time.

It’s an excellent way to get a different view of the town and its surroundings while relaxing.

This 1.5-hour or 3.5-hour catamaran cruise is perfect for taking in the stunning coastline views and cooling down, as it includes swimming stops.

🛥️ Book this catamaran cruise here

7. Go to the market

Altea holds a street market every Tuesday (except on bank holidays), so you’ll hundred per cent come across the market if you visit the town on a Tuesday; however, if you love street markets, then try to see this town on this day of the week.

The market takes place on Camí de l’Algar Street and has over 300 stalls featuring local fruits and vegetables, clothing and accessories, flowers, and much more.

It’s open from 8 am to 2 pm.

8. Visit the Russian Orthodox Church

Iglesia Ortodoxa Rusa San Miguel Arcángel is the most unique place in Altea because no one would expect to see anything like this in the middle of Costa Blanca.

This beautiful wooden Orthodox church was mostly built with Russian materials, and it’s considered the first Orthodox church in Spain.

It’s worth visiting because of its uniqueness, and it’s also free to enter. However, you’ll need to drive to access this church as it’s located on the outskirts of Altea, more specifically in Altea Hills, on the way to Calpe.

9. Casa Cervantes

It’s easy to miss this building when you walk around Altea, but it’s worth seeing. It’s on Santa Barbara Street, one of the prettiest streets in Altea.

This house was built by Francisco Martínez in the 20th century. He was inspired by Miguel de Cervantes and all his work, so he decided to build this beautiful Neo-Mudéjar building.

The best way to recognise this emblematic building is by paying attention to the buildings as you walk Santa Barbara Street. Also, the house has an inscription that says “CERVANTES”.

10. Go to Sierra Helada Natural Park

If you love hiking and exploring natural parks, Costa Blanca is home to numerous hiking and walking routes that will amaze you, and Parque Natural de Sierra Helada is one of the best places to do so.

The park offers a combination of breathtaking mountain and sea views that you can contemplate from its 300-metre cliffs and other points. Keep your eyes open to spot beautiful fauna and flora, as well as coves, among other natural features.

The most popular walking route is the Serra Gelada Walk, a moderate to difficult 8-kilometre route that goes all the way from one side to the other side of the park. Panoramic views, amazing cliffs and crystal-clear water are a few reasons to go on this trail.

Where to eat in Altea

Xef Pirata – Gastro Bar

The historic town of Altea is home to a few restaurants and bars with a view; however, if you’re up for eating in a modern restaurant with delicious food, Xef Pirata is an excellent option.

The restaurant is beautifully decorated – brick walls, bright paintings and an elegant bar on the first floor. Its atmosphere makes you feel cosy and happy. 

They serve Spanish and international tapas with a twist. My friend and I ordered patatas bravas, which were presented similar to a meatloaf, fried fish tacos, which were my favourite dish, and mini burgers with mushroom sauce. 

All the dishes were full of flavour and nicely decorated.

Most tapas are good to share between two people, but you will need at least 4 to be satisfied. 

The portions aren’t big, but every dish is worth the money.

📍 Address: Calle de l’Àngel, 22, 03590 Altea, Alicante, Spain

What to do near Altea

Day trip to Benidorm

Benidorm is one of those places you either love or hate. Some people consider it tacky, while others love its atmosphere.

The truth is that Benidorm used to be a quiet fishing town until the 20th century, and after that, tourism saw a massive boost, which many think affected the town’s reputation.

If you’re British or an expat living in the UK, you’ve probably heard many people talking about Benidorm and its TV show. Although you’ll hear mixed reviews about Benidorm, the best way to find out if it’s for you is to visit it for a day.

I only stopped at Benidorm train station during my trip to Costa Blanca. Still, some of the best things to do in Benidorm are to explore its old town, where you’ll find San Jaime y Santa Ana Church, go to Balcón Mediterráneo viewpoint, hit Playa del Levante, or visit its theme park Terra Mítica or Terra Natura Zoo.

🚗 How to get to Benidorm from Altea: The fastest way to get to Benidorm is by car. The car journey is 20 minutes. Will you be using public transport? You’ll need to get the train to Benidorm, which takes approximately 15 minutes.

Day trip to Villajoyosa

One of the towns I liked visiting from Altea is Villajoyosa, also known as La Vila Joiosa, a hidden gem in Costa Blanca.

Its colourful buildings, golden-sand beaches and delicious chocolate are some of the main reasons to add Villajoyosa to your list.

It isn’t very big, but you can spend half a day exploring it. You won’t need more than that, except if you plan to relax on the beach and visit its surroundings.

Some of the things you don’t want to miss on a day in Villajoyosa are discovering its picturesque old town, home to colourful houses and emblematic buildings like its town hall and walking on the promenade, visiting Villajoyosa Museum, which is the perfect place if you want to learn about the history of the town.

If you have a sweet tooth, head to Valor Chocolate Museum. Valor chocolates are famous for a reason! I absolutely love them.

🚗 How to get to Villajoyosa from Altea: The most convenient and quickest way to get to Villajoyosa is to drive. The car journey is only 25 minutes. If you rely on public transport, you’ll need to get the train to Benidorm and take the Alicante-Luceros train at Benidorm station. The train journey takes approximately 55 minutes.

Day trip to Alicante

Alicante is an excellent day trip from Altea if you want to visit a city and have a full day packed with activities.

There are many things to do in Alicante in a day – from visiting museums and historic buildings to tasting the local food.

Santa Bárbara Castle is a must-see attraction in Alicante. At the top of Mount Benacantil, you’ll find this 9th-century castle that takes you back to three different historical periods. In addition to learning about the castle, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the city, the coast and the mountains.

After visiting the castle, make your way to the port to eat a traditional paella, and then continue exploring the historic centre of Alicante (Santa Creu area), home to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas and museums like Gravina Museum of Fine Arts MUBAG and MACA Contemporary Art Museum of Alicante.

Last but not least, walking on Explanada de España (Passeig Esplanada d’Espanya) is peaceful, and its huge palm trees and beautiful tiled floor make it so picturesque.

🚗 How to get to Alicante from Altea: The fastest way to get to Alicante is by car. The car journey is 45 minutes. If you plan to use public transport instead, you’ll need to get the train to Benidorm and take the Alicante-Luceros train at Benidorm station. The train journey takes approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Where to stay in Altea

Hotel Ábaco

This charming 3-star hotel is in the neighbourhood of Bellaguarda, very close to the old town, restaurants and attractions.

The building used to be an 18th bakery, but it became a hotel in 2004. Hotel Ábaco offers 18 cosy rooms with beautiful touches and antique-style furnishings. All of them have comfortable beds, ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, TV, WiFi and minibars.

One of the best things about the hotel is its rooftop terrace, which offers views of the town and a tranquil atmosphere. But that’s not all; they also offer other services like massages and experiences.

📌Check out availability and book your stay at Hotel Ábaco here

SH Villa Gadea

If you’re looking for a hotel resort near the beach, SH Villa Gadea is your best option. This 5-star hotel has everything you need.

The hotel has over 200 rooms, which range from standard to premium. However, no matter which room you book, you will find comfortable beds, en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, a TV, WiFi, a safe, and a balcony.

For a romantic experience, you’ll love the Premium Room, which includes a jacuzzi on a terrace that overlooks the coast.

In terms of facilities, SH Villa Gadea has 4 restaurants and 2 bars which serve anything from local to international food, 3 swimming pools, a gym, and a spa.

📌 Check out availability and book your stay at SH Villa Gadea here

How to get to Altea

From Alicante

There are two ways to travel to Altea from Alicante. The first option is to drive to Altea, which will take you 45 minutes if you go via AP-7, a toll road. If you don’t want to pay the toll, drive via AP-7 and A-31, which is a bit longer (1 hour and 10 min).

The second option is to take the train. There isn’t a direct train that goes from Alicante to Altea, so you’ll need to take the train to Benidorm and change trains in Benidorm.

The good thing is that you don’t need to wait long to get the train from Benidorm to Altea because they’re scheduled to leave a few minutes after the Alicante to Benidorm train arrives. 

From Benidorm

Travelling to Altea from Benidorm is very easy. You can either take the train or drive there. The car journey is 20 minutes.

If you opt for the train, there are regular trains that take you to Altea in only 20 minutes.

When to visit Altea

No matter the time of the year you visit Altea, you’ll love visiting this picturesque town. However, if you want to avoid crowds, consider visiting Altea off-season, either in spring or autumn. Although you’ll still find tourists because it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, you’ll have a more tranquil experience.

Summer in Altea is amazing for hitting the beaches and soaking up the lively atmosphere in the evenings, but it isn’t the best time for sightseeing because of the heat and crowds. July is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 25°C (77°F).

Winter in Altea is quieter than other seasons, especially in January. However, it’s the coldest month, with an average maximum temperature of 17°C (62°F) and a minimum temperature of 8°C (46.4°F).

Map with things to do in Altea

Click on the map below to open it in Google Maps. You can access directions to each of the locations mentioned in this article.

Frequently asked questions about Altea

Conclusion on things to do in Altea

Altea is one of my favourite towns in Spain, and although it isn’t a town packed with historical monuments, there are enough things to do in Altea in a day. It’s also a good idea to visit one of the nearby towns I mentioned above that day. 

If you have questions about visiting Altea, leave a comment below. I’m always happy to help. 

Safe adventures,

Cristina x

Top things to check before visiting Altea, Spain

• Compare and book cheap flights to Alicante Airport (ALC) with Skyscanner.
• Are you looking for the best accommodation in Altea for you? Book accommodation with Booking.com
• Have a look at amazing activities and tours in Altea and its surroundings with Get Your Guide.
• Rent a car to travel around the Costa Blanca.
• Book travel insurance for your trip; this is a must for any trip!

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