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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹20,490 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹20,490
₹22,539 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (949 reviews)
"Really nice hotel. Has the ‘solid marble feel’ of a high end hotel. That said I almost gave it a 4 star as the location isn’t great, the beach is just stones, and the hotel can seem almost empty. The spa is amazing but the gym could be improved and larger. Food was very good."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

SH Villa Gadea Hotel
Nomad Hotel & Spa Altea

Nomad Hotel & Spa Altea

4.5 out of 5
Carrer Costera dels Matxos 8, Altea
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹13,090 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹13,090
₹14,399 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Altea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Albir Beach and Aqualandia are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (9 reviews)
A perfect place
"I’d like to stay here much more than one day… Maybe the rest of my life ;)"

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Nomad Hotel & Spa Altea
Gran H La Marina 1920

Gran H La Marina 1920

3.5 out of 5
Carrer la Mar 100, Altea, Alicante
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! (84 reviews)
"The hotel is small but super well located. The room was cleaned and the AC works perfectly. Everyday I got towels cleaned and room cleaned. Happy because they are pet friendly. A plus was that the TRAM, local train was a two steps from tbe hotel which you can visit other towns, beaches etc. Everything ..."

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Gran H La Marina 1920
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! (127 reviews)
"Only negative is reception hours re key drop off"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Pierre & Vacances Altea Beach - Port
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

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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