Altea Travel Guide
City Coastal town with beautiful Mediterranean views
Altea’s whitewashed old town curls above a pebble beach; visitors stroll the church plaza, browse small galleries, eat grilled sea bass at harbour restaurants and walk the seaside promenade.
64°F
Why Visit Altea? #
Perched on the Costa Blanca, Altea attracts visitors with its whitewashed old town, narrow cobbled streets and the blue‑domed Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo that crowns the hill. Galleries, craft shops and a promenade along Playa de la Roda complement local cuisine-fresh paella and seafood-served in seaside restaurants. The town’s artistic atmosphere and compact historic center make it an appealing, relaxed counterpoint to larger coastal resorts.
Best Things to Do in Altea
All Attractions ›
.jpg?width=600)
Altea Bucket List
- Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo - White-walled church with iconic blue-tiled dome overlooking cobbled Old Town.
- Casco Antiguo de Altea - Narrow streets filled with galleries, artisan shops, and panoramic sea viewpoints.
- Paseo Marítimo y Puerto de l'Olla - Seafront promenade lined with restaurants, cafes, and small fishing boats.
- Palau Altea (Centro Cultural) - Cultural centre hosting concerts, exhibitions, and local performances throughout the year.
- Mercado Municipal de Altea - Local market selling fresh produce, fish, and traditional Alicantine specialties.
- Sierra Helada viewpoints - Sierra Helada natural park's coastal paths offer quiet hikes and sweeping sea views.
- Rincón de los Artistas (small galleries) - Cluster of independent galleries showcasing regional painters and ceramics in Old Town.
- Guadalest (Castell de Guadalest) - Hilltop village with a medieval castle and small museums, roughly thirty minutes inland.
- Calpe - Peñón de Ifach - Iconic limestone rock and coastal trails with beaches and coastal village atmosphere nearby.
- Benidorm - Coastal resort with theme parks, beaches, and boat trips reachable by short drive.
Best Time to Visit Altea #
Altea enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate; summers are warm and beach-focused, while winters stay mild and quieter. Spring and autumn offer the best compromise of pleasant weather and fewer tourists.
Best Time to Visit Altea #
Temperate climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 6 mm and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 51 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Altea
Altea on Spain's Costa Blanca is easiest reached via Alicante airport (ALC) with direct bus or train connections along the coastal corridor. Trains and ALSA buses link Altea to Alicante, Benidorm and Valencia.
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC): Alicante is the nearest major airport to Altea. From ALC you can take the C-6 bus or a taxi to Alicante city station then an ALSA bus or Cercanías/medium-distance train toward Benidorm/Calpe and a short bus or taxi to Altea; total door-to-door time is about 45-75 minutes. Taxi from the airport to Altea takes ~40-50 minutes (around €50-80).
Valencia (VLC): Valencia is another option but farther away (about 1.5-2 hours by road). From Valencia airport use trains or ALSA buses to the Alicante/Benidorm corridor then a local connection to Altea.
Train: Renfe Cercanías and regional trains run along the Alicante corridor; Altea has a railway station on the Alicante-Valencia line (some trains stop here). Trains from Alicante to Altea take around 30-40 minutes; ticket prices normally €3-€8 depending on service.
Bus: ALSA operates regular buses between Alicante, Benidorm and Altea (and onward to Calpe); buses are frequent on the corridor and a direct ALSA bus from Alicante to Altea takes about 40-60 minutes with fares typically €4-8.
How to Get Around Altea #
Altea’s casco antiguo (old town) is very walkable, though the historic streets are cobbled and climb the hill to the church. The seafront promenade is flat and easy for relaxed strolls. Regional buses and trains connect Altea with Alicante, Benidorm and Calpe; Renfe and regional bus services are regular, and local taxis serve short journeys. Fares for regional travel typically range from a few euros for nearby hops to higher for longer distances. Summer traffic can slow coastal buses, so allow extra time.
Where to Stay in Altea #
Where to Eat in Altea #
- Cap Negret - Seafront dining with rice and seafood
- (Suggested) Seafront restaurants and chiringuitos - Beachfront paellas and cold tapas
- Mercado Municipal de Altea - Fresh fish and local produce stalls
- Old Town tapas bars - Terraces near the church, small plates
- Local tapas bars - Informal tapas and regional wines
- Cafés and terraces - Coffee, cakes, light Mediterranean bites
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Altea's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Altea #
Altea’s evening scene is relaxed and centered on tapas bars, seafront restaurants and occasional live-music nights in summer. The old town offers atmospheric night-time dining rather than noisy clubs. If you want late-night dancing or a bigger club scene, head to Benidorm or Alicante.
Shopping in Altea #
Altea has a pleasant mix of independent galleries, artisan shops and boutique stores in the old town, plus souvenir and beach shops along the seafront. Weekly markets and small artisan stalls are common, especially in tourist season. For supermarkets and larger chains, use the commercial areas near the station or nearby larger towns.
_05.jpg?width=600)
.JPG?width=600)
