Altea

Town · Valencian Community, 🇪🇸 Spain

Altea is a white town on the Costa Blanca, in the province of Alicante, about 50 km northeast of Alicante and a few kilometres from Benidorm. Its old town climbs a hill to a church with a blue-tiled dome, the best-known landmark of the coast.

The old town has narrow cobbled lanes, art galleries and small restaurants. Below it, a pebble-beach promenade follows the bay, with the Sierra de Bernia mountains behind.

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When to visit

Spring and autumn are the best times. Summers are hot and the town is busy. Winters are mild. Fiestas in September and the Moors and Christians festival in October are popular.

Best time to visit: March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Good

15° (feels like 13°) · extremes 4°–20°
8° at night
6 rainy days
15 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Good

16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 4°–21°
8° at night
6 rainy days
14 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Great

18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 6°–24°
10° at night
7 rainy days
16 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Great

20° (feels like 18°) · extremes 8°–25°
12° at night
8 rainy days
15 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

24° (feels like 23°) · extremes 11°–29°
15° at night
6 rainy days
18 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

28° (feels like 29°) · extremes 16°–33°
19° at night
3 rainy days
22 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
23°C · cool for a dip
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

31° (feels like 33°) · extremes 19°–35°
22° at night
2 rainy days
26 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
26°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Good

31° (feels like 33°) · extremes 20°–35°
23° at night
4 rainy days
22 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
27°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in September

Great

28° (feels like 29°) · extremes 17°–32°
20° at night
8 rainy days
16 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Great

24° · extremes 12°–28°
16° at night
8 rainy days
14 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
23°C · cool for a dip
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Great

19° (feels like 17°) · extremes 7°–24°
12° at night
8 rainy days
13 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Good

16° (feels like 14°) · extremes 5°–20°
9° at night
7 rainy days
12 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo is the parish church at the top of the old town, with a blue and white tiled dome.
The old town (casco antiguo) has whitewashed lanes, a plaza with views and artists' studios.
The Mirador Cronistes d'Espanya is a viewpoint over the old town and the sea.
The Platja de l'Espigó, the Platja de l'Olla and Playa del Bol are pebble beaches by the promenade.
The Roman aqueduct remains and the Torre de Bellaguarda are small historic sites.
The Sierra de Bernia and its Fort offer hiking and views.
The Castillo del Mascarat is a castle at the edge of the municipality.

Featured Lists

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Altea Essentials

Altea’s landscape is defined by the blue-domed Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Consuelo and the white-walled streets of its Casco Antiguo. This selection covers the historical core around Plaça de l'Església and the 16th-century Torre de Bellaguarda. Beyond the town, the list includes Roman aqueduct ruins and the high-altitude Fort de Bèrnia. Coastal features like the volcanic Cap Negret beach and the Memorial per la gent de la mar highlight the village's maritime heritage and botanical diversity.

10 places

What to experience

Walk up the old town to the church and sit in the plaza.
Stroll along the promenade in the evening.
Hike in the Sierra de Bernia.
Visit Guadalest.

Tours & Activities

Altea — Map

Altea — Travel Guide (PDF) Open the interactive map

Day trips

Benidorm (about 10 km): a high-rise beach resort.
Dénia (about 55 km): a port with a castle.
Alicante (about 50 km): Santa Bárbara castle and the Esplanade.
Guadalest (about 25 km): a mountain village with a castle and a reservoir.
Valencia (about 140 km): a city of arts and sciences.

Where to explore

Other places nearby:

Costa Blanca: Benidorm, Dénia and Alicante.
Valencia: Valencia.

Getting there

By air: Alicante-Elche airport is about 65 km away.
By train: The TRAM d'Alacant tram line from Benidorm to Dénia stops near Altea, and connects with the Alicante tram network. Long-distance trains are on Renfe from Alicante.
By bus: Buses link Altea with Alicante, Benidorm and Valencia.
By car: The AP-7 and N-332.

Getting around

On foot: The old town is steep, with steps and cobbles. The promenade is flat.
Tram and bus: The tram links the coast.
Cycling: A cycling path runs along the coast.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Useful for the mountains and Guadalest.
Parking: Paid parking near the old town, and limited at weekends.
Roads: The AP-7 is a toll road. The N-332 is free but slow.

Food & drink

Altea's food is Valencian. Try arroz a banda, paella, arroz con costra and fideuà, plus local seafood. Sweet wines and the Mistela liqueur are typical. The area is known for its almond and citrus orchards.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Altea is a safe town. The old town's steps are slippery when wet. Use sun protection in summer.

History

Altea was settled by Iberians and Romans, and under the Moors it was a fortified town. After the Reconquista in the 13th century, it became a fishing and farming town.

In the 20th century, it attracted artists and writers, and became known for its art galleries and bohemian old town.