Last updated: September 2026
Altea holidays attract a different clientele from the typical Costa Blanca resort visitor. The town — often described as the most beautiful on the entire Valencian coast — rises steeply from the sea to a hilltop old quarter of whitewashed houses, narrow cobblestone streets and the iconic Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo with its distinctive blue-tiled dome.
Artists’ studios, artisan craft shops, excellent restaurants with sea views and a genuinely unhurried Mediterranean atmosphere make Altea holidays a world apart from the larger resorts just down the coast. The lower town along the seafront has a good shingle beach and promenade restaurants that complete the picture.
Altea’s old town (casco antiguo) is the reason most people choose Altea holidays in the first place. It sits high above the coast on a steep hill, its whitewashed houses so brilliantly white in the summer sun that sunglasses become a necessity in the narrow streets.
The streets wind uphill from the main square (Plaza de la Iglesia) past flower-draped walls, independent art galleries, boutique craft shops and restaurants that spill their tables onto the cobblestones. Artists discovered Altea in the 1960s and the town has maintained its creative character ever since — a concentration of galleries and studios that is genuinely unusual for a coastal resort of this size.
The old town is car-free and best explored slowly. Allow at least a morning or afternoon for a proper wander, stopping for coffee at one of the square’s terrace cafes and taking time to look into the galleries that line the upper streets. The views from the hilltop over the bay and coastline towards Benidorm and Calpe are among the finest on the entire Costa Blanca.
The architecture is Moorish in character — a legacy of the town’s history as a fortified settlement under both Arab and Christian rule. Several of the original fortification walls remain visible in the upper part of the old town.
The Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo is the defining image of Altea and the most photographed building on the northern Costa Blanca. Its blue-and-white tiled dome is visible from miles along the coast in both directions, rising above the whitewashed rooftops of the old town.
The church was built in the 18th century on the site of an earlier chapel and has been rebuilt and extended several times since. The dome’s distinctive blue ceramic tiles — in the Valencian tradition used widely across the region — give the building its extraordinary visual character.
The church is open to visitors and the square in front of it is one of the most atmospheric spots on the entire Costa Blanca. At sunset, when the dome catches the western light and the colours of the old town walls deepen, it is genuinely spectacular. Most Altea holidays include a sunset visit to the church square as an unmissable experience.
Altea’s beach is a wide shingle and pebble strip running the length of the lower town seafront. The clear, deep-blue Mediterranean water is the main draw — the pebble surface keeps the water exceptionally clean and the sea is calm and sheltered in the bay.
The seafront promenade (paseo maritimo) is lined with restaurants and cafes offering terrace seating facing the water. It is one of the most pleasant places to eat on the central Costa Blanca, with a consistently good standard of seafood and local Valencian cuisine.
A small marina at the northern end of the seafront has mooring for yachts and a handful of restaurants with harbour views. Boat trips along the coast depart from the marina and can be booked locally during Altea holidays.
For those who prefer sand, Benidorm’s Blue Flag beaches are just 12 km south by TRAM. Albir’s pebble beach is 8 km south. Most visitors on Altea holidays find the clear water more than compensates for the lack of fine sand.
Altea holidays are richer in cultural and artistic activity than almost any other resort on the Costa Blanca. The old town alone can absorb days of exploration, but there is much more beyond the cobblestone streets.
Gallery hopping through the old town is a genuine pleasure. A dozen or more independent art galleries occupy the upper streets, showing work by both local and international artists. The standard is high and the galleries are welcoming to browsers.
The TRAM coastal railway makes the entire northern Costa Blanca easily accessible during Altea holidays. Albir and Serra Gelada Natural Park are 5 minutes south. Calpe and the Penon de Ifach are 25 minutes north. Alicante city centre is 60 minutes south.
Guadalest — the famous mountain village on its isolated rock spike, 20 km inland — is one of the most popular day excursions from Altea. The village, castle ruins and reservoir views are extraordinary and most tour operators offer Guadalest as an optional add-on.
Water sports including kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling are available from the beach during summer. The clear water around the rocky headlands at either end of the bay is excellent for snorkelling.
The local market in Altea’s lower town operates on Tuesdays and Saturdays and is one of the better local markets on the Costa Blanca — a good source of local produce, ceramics and textiles.
Altea has arguably the best restaurant scene of any resort on the northern Costa Blanca. The combination of the old town’s creative community and the seafront promenade has attracted a concentration of excellent restaurants that punches well above the town’s weight.
Seafood is the local speciality — fresh fish and shellfish from the Altea fishing fleet, arroz a banda, fideuà and excellent gambas rojas (red prawns) from the nearby Denia fishing grounds. Several old town restaurants offer tasting menus showcasing Valencian and contemporary Spanish cuisine.
The main square in the old town has several characterful cafes ideal for a long mid-morning coffee and tostada (toasted bread with tomato). In the evenings, the square fills with locals and visitors and becomes one of the most atmospheric spots on the entire coast.
Wine lovers will find a good selection of Valencia region wines — particularly from the Alicante DO and Utiel-Requena — at most of the better restaurants. Prices in the old town are slightly higher than on the seafront but the quality and atmosphere more than justify it.
Altea holidays start at Alicante Airport (ALC), approximately 65 km south. Road transfer takes around 55-65 minutes. Direct flights from UK airports operate year-round with Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair and TUI.
The TRAM coastal railway (Line 9) stops at Altea station at the southern end of the seafront, connecting to Albir (5 minutes), Benidorm (15 minutes), Calpe (25 minutes) and Alicante (60 minutes). It is the most convenient way to explore the coast during Altea holidays without a car.
Driving from Alicante takes approximately 55 minutes via the AP-7 motorway. Parking in the lower town is straightforward, though the old town is pedestrianised and vehicle access is restricted at all times.
Altea benefits from the Costa Blanca’s famously mild climate. The old town and cultural attractions make Altea an excellent destination year-round, not just in the beach season.
For beach holidays, June through September are the warmest months, with sea temperatures reaching 26°C in August. The town is busiest in July and August when Spanish and European tourists fill the restaurants and galleries.
April, May, October and November offer the best conditions for exploring the old town, walking the coastal paths and visiting Guadalest — warm enough for café terraces and outdoor dining but without the summer crowds. Spring wildflowers on the hillsides around Altea are exceptional in April and May.
| Region | Costa Blanca, Valencia, Spain |
|---|---|
| Nearest Airport | Alicante (ALC) — 65 km, ~60 min |
| Beach | Shingle/pebble, clear water, sheltered bay |
| Best For | Culture, art, couples, food, walkers |
| Best Time | April-June and September-November |
| Sun Days | ~320 per year |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Language | Spanish / Valencian |
| ATOL Protection | Available on UK package deals |
Search4Sun compares Altea holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from regional airports across the UK. Whether you are looking for a boutique old-town guesthouse, a seafront apartment or a hillside villa, we can help you compare packages and find the right option at the right price.
Always check your booking is protected by ABTA, holds ATOL certification or carries ABTOT cover — these schemes protect your money if an operator ceases trading before or during your holiday. For a plain-English guide to what each scheme covers, read our holiday protection guide.
For last-minute Altea deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates. See also our Albir holidays and Costa Blanca holidays pages for more destinations nearby.
Altea’s accommodation reflects the town’s upmarket, character-focused identity. The old town has several boutique hotels and casa rurales (rural-style guesthouses) occupying converted traditional buildings — these offer the most atmospheric Altea holiday experience but require guests to navigate the pedestrianised streets on foot.
The lower town seafront area has a handful of larger hotels and apartment complexes, mostly family-friendly and within short walking distance of the beach. The quality of accommodation here is generally higher than in comparable-sized resorts on the Costa Blanca, with well-maintained properties and attentive service.
Self-catering villas and apartments on the hillsides above Altea are popular with repeat visitors who want space, privacy and panoramic views over the bay. These properties typically require a car but offer an exceptional quality of life for longer Altea holidays.
A small number of UK tour operators include Altea in their Costa Blanca programmes, though the selection is more limited than for Benidorm or Calpe. Independent booking is popular for Altea holidays, particularly among visitors who return year after year to a favourite apartment or villa. For the most memorable experience, accommodation in or immediately adjacent to the old town is worth the premium price.
Altea is an excellent choice for families who want a cultural and relaxed experience rather than a traditional beach-and-pool resort. The old town is fascinating for older children and teenagers, and the beach and water sports keep younger ones occupied. However, families with toddlers who primarily want sand and splash facilities may find Benidorm or Albir better suited. The TRAM gives easy day-trip access to Benidorm’s water parks and sandy beaches for families staying in Altea.
The most straightforward way is a private or shared transfer, which takes approximately 55-65 minutes depending on traffic. Most UK tour operators include return transfers in their Altea holiday packages. Alternatively, you can take a bus or taxi to Alicante city centre and connect to the TRAM coastal railway, though this adds significantly to journey time. Direct bus services between the airport and the northern Costa Blanca also operate in the summer season.
Altea’s hilltop old town sets it apart from every other resort on the Costa Blanca. While neighbouring resorts have focused on beach and entertainment infrastructure, Altea has preserved its historic character — the whitewashed streets, blue-domed church, art galleries and traditional market create an atmosphere closer to a Provencal village than a package holiday resort. It attracts an independent-minded, culturally interested visitor and offers one of the most genuinely Spanish experiences on the entire coast.
Altea is one of the best-positioned resorts on the Costa Blanca for day trips. The TRAM coastal railway connects directly to Albir and Serra Gelada Natural Park (5 minutes), Calpe and the Penon de Ifach (25 minutes), Benidorm (15 minutes) and Alicante city (60 minutes). Inland, Guadalest mountain village is 20 km by road and one of the most visited attractions in the Valencia region. Most Altea holidays benefit from a base that offers more day-trip options than almost any other Costa Blanca resort.
Altea uses the Euro (EUR) as its currency. Spanish is the main spoken language, alongside Valencian — the regional co-official language widely used on signage and in local life. English is spoken at most tourist-facing restaurants, hotels and shops in the lower town, though some of the more traditional bars and market stalls in the old quarter operate primarily in Spanish. Learning a few basic Spanish phrases is appreciated by locals and adds to the authenticity of an Altea holiday. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Altea, including in most restaurants and shops in the old quarter.
Search4Sun has been comparing UK holiday packages since 2005. We work with some of the best ABTA-registered operators.
