Why Altea, Spain Deserves More Than a Day Trip

Stayed in Altea, Alicante, Spain | August

After travelling through the Pyrenees, Catalonia and along the Spanish coast, arriving in Altea felt like the perfect change of pace. The landscape becomes drier and more Mediterranean, the sea takes centre stage again and the whitewashed buildings of the old town climb the hillside above the Costa Blanca. I spent six nights here between two very different hotels, giving me plenty of time to explore Altea properly rather than simply passing through for an afternoon.

I stayed for two nights at Hotel Tossal d'Altea, a four-star boutique-style hotel tucked into the historic part of town, before moving to SH Villa Gadea, a five-star property right on the Mediterranean coast where I spent another four nights. The two hotels offered completely different experiences, but together they worked really well for seeing both sides of Altea.

A Little About Altea

Altea is one of those Costa Blanca towns that has managed to retain much of its character despite becoming a popular destination for visitors. The town sits between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra de Bernia mountains, with the historic centre positioned on a hill overlooking the coast.

The area has been inhabited for centuries, with Iberian, Roman and Moorish influences all forming part of Altea's history. The town's elevated old quarter developed around its fortified settlement, while fishing and agriculture were traditionally important to the local economy. Walking through the older streets today, it's easy to see traces of that past in the narrow lanes, whitewashed houses and traditional architecture.

Altea's modern reputation really grew during the twentieth century, when artists and writers were attracted by the light, scenery and relaxed atmosphere. That creative influence is still noticeable around the old town, where you'll find small galleries, craft shops and independent businesses alongside restaurants and cafés.

What makes Altea particularly appealing to me is that it doesn't feel like a typical purpose-built beach resort. There are certainly plenty of places aimed at tourists, but the historic centre still has a strong identity and the coastline remains beautiful.

Exploring Altea's Old Town

The first place I'd recommend exploring is the Casco Antiguo, Altea's historic old town.

The easiest way to experience it is simply to start walking uphill and see where the streets take you. The cobbled lanes become narrower as you climb, with whitewashed buildings, blue doors, small balconies and plants spilling across walls creating the kind of Mediterranean streetscape that makes you want to stop every few minutes for another photograph.

At the top is the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, recognised by its distinctive blue-and-white tiled domes. The church has become one of Altea's most recognisable landmarks and provides an excellent reference point when exploring the old town.

Around the church you'll find small squares, restaurants, cafés and shops selling artwork and local crafts. I enjoyed coming here at different times of the day because the atmosphere changes considerably. During the morning, the streets are relatively quiet, while later in the day they become much livelier as restaurants open and visitors come up from the coast.

The views are another reason to make the climb. From the upper part of the old town, you can look across the rooftops towards the Mediterranean and along the Costa Blanca.

If you only have a few hours in Altea, this is where I'd spend them.

Allow: 2–3 hours.

Best for: Architecture, photography, local shops and some of the best views in Altea.

Spend Time Along the Mediterranean

Altea's coastline is another major part of its appeal, but don't expect the huge sandy beaches found at some other Costa Blanca resorts. Much of the coastline around Altea is made up of smaller beaches and pebbly stretches, with exceptionally clear water and a much more natural feel.

I particularly enjoyed walking along the seafront and through the marina area, where you can watch the boats coming and going before continuing towards some of the quieter sections of coastline.

The Paseo Mediterráneo is ideal for an easy walk, especially early in the morning or towards sunset when the temperatures are more comfortable. There are cafés and restaurants along the way, so you can easily combine a walk with a coffee or lunch overlooking the water.

If you have a car, it's also worth exploring further along the coast. The scenery becomes more rugged as you move away from the centre, with small coves and viewpoints offering a different perspective of Altea.

For me, the best part was simply having time to slow down. After so much driving and sightseeing during the earlier part of my trip, being able to walk beside the Mediterranean without needing a particular destination was exactly what I wanted.

My Two Nights at Hotel Tossal d'Altea

Image courtesy of Hotel Tossal d'Altea.

My first two nights in Altea were at Hotel Tossal d'Altea, a four-star hotel in the historic part of town.

The location is one of its biggest advantages. Rather than being directly on the main beachfront, the hotel is tucked away close to the old town, which means you're within easy walking distance of the historic streets, restaurants and viewpoints.

The hotel occupies a traditional building that was originally associated with the agricultural and rural history of the area, although today it has been transformed into a comfortable hotel with a much more contemporary feel.

Images courtesy of Hotel Tossal d'Altea.

I liked the fact that staying here gave me a different perspective on Altea. Instead of waking up beside a large resort pool, I was much closer to the historic heart of the town. In the evenings, I could walk out and explore the old streets before returning to the hotel without needing the car.

The property also has a swimming pool and outdoor areas where you can relax, which made it easy to balance sightseeing with some downtime.

For two nights, I thought it was a particularly good introduction to Altea because of the location. If your priority is exploring the old town and experiencing more of the local character, this is the side of Altea I'd recommend staying in.

Four Nights at SH Villa Gadea

Image courtesy of SH Villa Gadea.

After two nights at Tossal d'Altea, I moved closer to the sea for my second Altea stay at SH Villa Gadea, a five-star hotel overlooking the Mediterranean.

The atmosphere couldn't have been more different.

SH Villa Gadea is a much larger property, with extensive gardens, pools, restaurants, wellness facilities and direct access to the coastline. The architecture takes inspiration from Mediterranean and Arabic influences, with courtyards, fountains, gardens and decorative details giving the property a strong sense of place.

After spending the first part of my Altea stay walking around the old town, I enjoyed having four nights where I could simply slow down. The hotel has several swimming pools surrounded by landscaped gardens, along with the Shalux Altea Spa, which includes thermal facilities and wellness treatments.

Images courtesy of SH Villa Gadea.

The location directly beside the sea was probably my favourite feature. I could start the morning with a walk along the coast, spend part of the afternoon around the pool and then head into Altea for dinner or an evening walk.

Four nights also meant I didn't feel as though I had to constantly be somewhere else. I could actually enjoy the hotel itself, which is important when staying at a five-star property.

The contrast between the two hotels worked perfectly for me. Tossal d'Altea was about being close to the old town and experiencing Altea's historic side, while SH Villa Gadea was much more about relaxing beside the Mediterranean.

The Food in Altea

Altea is a particularly good place to eat if you enjoy Mediterranean cuisine. Being beside the sea means seafood naturally features heavily, while rice dishes, fresh vegetables, grilled fish and local produce are all part of the area's food culture.

One thing I'd definitely recommend is trying a traditional paella or arroz dish while you're here. Rice has a huge role in the cuisine of the wider Valencian region, and eating one beside the Mediterranean feels much more appropriate than settling for another generic international meal.

The old town is full of restaurants, but I'd also look beyond the most obvious tourist streets. Some of the best meals can be found slightly away from the main viewpoints, where restaurants focus more heavily on local ingredients and traditional cooking.

I also enjoyed the simple café culture in Altea. Finding a small terrace in the old town, ordering a coffee and watching people wander through the streets is one of those uncomplicated travel experiences that I tend to remember.

Why I Enjoyed Six Days in Altea

Spending six nights in Altea gave me the chance to experience the town in two very different ways. The first two nights at Hotel Tossal d'Altea put me right beside the historic centre, while the four nights at SH Villa Gadea gave me a much more luxurious Mediterranean escape.

If I had only stayed in a large coastal resort, I probably wouldn't have appreciated the old town quite as much. Likewise, if I'd only stayed in the historic centre, I might have missed the opportunity to properly slow down and enjoy the coastline.

Having both experiences made me realise that Altea is more versatile than it initially appears.

There is the whitewashed old town, the blue-domed church, the art galleries and cobbled streets, but there is also the Mediterranean coastline, beaches, restaurants and luxury hotels. Beyond the town itself, the surrounding mountains provide plenty of opportunities for walking and exploring if you want something more active.

What I liked most, though, was the pace. After weeks of moving from one destination to another, Altea gave me somewhere to stop for almost a week and actually enjoy being there.

The Costa Blanca has plenty of famous resorts, but Altea feels different. It has enough tourism to give you plenty of choice without completely losing its character, and that's probably the biggest reason I'd recommend putting it on a Spanish itinerary.

If you're planning a trip along the Costa Blanca, I'd give Altea more than just a quick afternoon visit. Spend a few nights, explore the old town, walk along the Mediterranean and give yourself enough time to enjoy the slower side of this beautiful part of Spain.