This page is all about the town of Altea on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain.
It contains useful Altea tourist information for people intending to visit or holiday in Altea.
Altea is one of the best places to visit on the Costa Blanca. It has retained it’s beauty and charm unlike many other former fishing villages.
Altea is located south of Calpe and about 15 kilometres north of Benidorm. This makes it a great location to live or visit.
Altea has a quiet charm yet is close to bigger more vibrant towns with good shopping and nightlife.
Other towns nearby are La Nucia, Polop, Callosa d’En Sarria, Albir and Alfaz del Pi.
In this tourist guide to the tourist resort of the town of Altea on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain we help visitors who are planning a trip with useful and practical advice on many tourism related subjects such as airport transfers to Altea, car hire, accommodation, hotels, hostels, apartment to rent, villas to rent, Altea map, sightseeing, weather, where to go, where to stay, travel information and what to see and do in Altea.
To make the best of your visit and holiday we cover everything you need to know about Altea. We also have photos, picture galleries, views, videos and webcams of Altea.
History
Altea has a population of 20,000 but in the summer tourist season this swells to 50,000. The name Altea comes from the Greek: Altahia (I heal) and from the river Algar (the river of the health). Numerous groups of people settled in Altea, including the Iberians, Greeks, Romans and Moslems.
Altea prospered due to it’s strategic importance because the city lies in the vicinity of the mouth of the river Algar. Altea harbour was perfect for supplying the sailors and fisherman with fresh drinking water.
Under the Greek and Roman leaderships, the region became an important trade centre. Many factories sprung up producing dried salt fish.
The production was also improved by the Arabians however Altea was hit badly at the beginning of the 17th century due to attacks by pirates, what led to a dramatic decline of the population numbers and the guns to fight the pirates off are displayed in the town.
Sights and Attractions
Altea is famous for the landmark church of Nuestra Senora del Consuelo or Virgen del Consuelo with its fantastic looking blue roof. This is set up on a hill and can be seen for miles around.
The old town part of Altea is set on a steep hillside and the streets are littered with small designer shops and is popular with artists.
Amongst the narrow streets with their scenic white houses, orange trees and geraniums you’ll find painters, potters and many other traditional craftsmen’s studios.
There is a real authentic Spanish feel to Altea town, often missing from others on the coast.
Beaches
The harbor and marina of Altea are also noteworthy. It is very pretty and scenic and a great place to eat or drink.
The beach of Altea is over 5 km long and is divided into the stoney Cap Negret beach to the north of Altea, followed by the La Roda beach next to the old town and the largest beach the Cap Blanc to the south which blends into the coast of Albir.
Bars and Restaurants
Altea is a large popular tourist resort with many bars, pubs and restaurants. Altea restaurants worth visiting include the Xef Pirata – Gastro Bar, La Bruschetta, La Costera, Asasor El Torreon de Paula, Tribus, El Perro Negro, La Maja, Inigo Fusion, Restaurante El Paso, Sabor, Oustau de Altea S.L., La Capella, El Bodegon de Pepe, Bar Villa, El Pescador, El Rancho de Laura, L’Espigo Restaurant, El Patio, La Claudia, Chez Pierre, Restaurante Creative, El Cranc, San Miguel, La Tomaca Blava, Stromboli, Restaurante El Olivo, Il Giardino D’Altea, El Bar Norning Glory, Planesia, Pizzeria Claudio, AlteArte, Al Faro, Ca Joan, Rascals, Akropolis Taberna, Menjador Almassera, Tossal Roig, Las Terrazas del Don Cayo Golf, El Chiringuito, El Italiano, Darsena Altea, L’Obrador, Il Timone, Restaurante Bienvenido S.L., Restaurante Casa Vital, Ca Toni, Club Nautico de Altea, La Tableria, Restaurante Mallol, Eric Lanneau, Tuti Frutti, Club Nautico, La Dolche Vita, El Charco, El Negro de Altea, Restaurante El Pi del Senyoret, Syberite Restaurante, MR.X, Morena, Diferens, Cocoroco, Los Jazmines, Llimera, La Vienesa, La Glorieta, Mendoza Gastronomia Colectiva S.L., Mariano Jesus Tellez Carlos, Junji Hu, Jesus Xabier Ernest Labarta, El Gaucho, Internacional Chinese Restaurant, Christal de Altea, El Sueno de Altea, El Predicador, Escortel Catalan, Flamingo, Mexalfas SL, Meson Altea, Monte Molar, Ole Ole, Pipperment, Catharina Van de Werf, Costa de Altea, Diego Ripoll, Dukes, Guillermina Jimenez Guzman, Hexagon Hispana SL, Cap Blanche, Carbonera, Restaurante El Faro, Casa Calero, Teteria Jardin de los Sentidos, Veronica Wendtland, Restaurante Arroceria, Yong Heng Hu, Senses, The Show Business, Ca Mezquida, Casa Gallego, raconet, Restaurante El Negre, La Terraza, Sultanas csp, Tartana Puerto Sl, Restaurante La Bodeguilla del Bierzo, Restaurante Luna Rossa Scp, Pizzeria Sandro, Bing Chen, Bellaltea, Bar rte Granada, Bar El Tio Raul, Bar Carlos, Azpiorts Benidorm SL, Antonio Maria Martinez Cabot and Angela Perez Grau.
Along Altea’s yacht harbor you will find the beaches of Pueblo Macarat. Unusually for the Costa Blanca this is not your typical sandy beach but primarily pebble. Despite this, Altea offers so much ambience that it just doesn’t matter, this is definitely a place worthy of visiting.
Property
Altea is surrounded by mountains making it is a very scenic place. The Sierra de Bernia reaches up to 1130 metres. Altea Hills is one of the most expensive, if not the most expensive place to buy property on the Costa Blanca. Other developments near to Altea are Horizonte, Urbanisation la Foia Blanca, Urbanisation Santa Clara, Urbanisation El Paraiso, Altea Hills, Altea La Vella, Urbanisation Sierra Altea, Urbanisation Tossal del Molar, Urbanisation Villa Gadea, L’Olla, La Galera, Urbanisation Jardines Alhama and Pueblo Mascarat.
Altea Tourist Information Office (Oficina de Turismo)
Altea Tourist Office Address: Calle Sant Pere 9, 03590, Altea.
Telephone: +34 966 783 442 or +34 965 844 122
Email: altea@touristinfo.net
Website: https://www.altea.es
Altea Tourist Office Address: Plaza José María Planelles 1, 03590, Altea.
Telephone: +34 965 844 114
Email: altea@touristinfo.net
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 15:00 h. Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:00 h.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Town Hall: 965 841 300; Local Police: 965 845 511; Guardia Civil: 965 840 525; Fire Brigade: 965 854 080; Club Nautico: 965 841 591; Culture Center: 965 842 853; Post Office: 965 840 174.
List of Hotels In Altea
At the entrance to every Altea hotel will be a plaque showing the hotel rating according to the Spanish tourist board. This is in the form of stars with a one star Altea hotel being the most basic hotel standard in Altea to a five star Altea hotel being of the highest possible standard.
One star hotels in Altea are of a very basic standard. This will be the cheapest hotel accommodation in Altea. Expect a dated decor and possible uncomfortable bed although the hotel room should be clean. Expect your Altea hotel room to not have on-suite bathroom but a bathroom in the hallway which will be shared by other Altea hotel guests. A one star Altea hotel will have no facilities such as telephone or internet access. Our advice is to check the room first before you commit to staying.
Example of a one star hotel in Altea:
Hotel San Miguel * Address: C/ Mar, 65, Altea Telephone: 965 840 400
Two star hotels in Altea are still of a basic standard and again will offer few facilities (if any). Again, if possible we recommend checking out the room before you make your hotel booking. However two star hotels in Altea will be of a clean standard and safe so depending on your budget they are good value for money.
Example of a two star hotel in Altea:
Hotel Altaya ** Address: C/ Sant Pere, 28, Altea Telephone: 965 840 800
Three star hotels in Altea are the most popular choice of Altea hotels as they offer clean, safe accommodation while being affordable to most people. Facilities in your hotel room will include basics such as telephone, hairdryer etc. The three star Altea hotel may have a swimming pool for your use, a gym and internet access but do check if these hotel facilities are essential to you.
Examples of a three star hotel in Altea:
Hotel Cap Negret *** Address: Partida Cap Negret, 7, Altea Telephone: 965 841 600
Hotel La Galera del Mar *** Address: Urb. La Galera del Mar, Altea Telephone: +34 965 841 046
Four star hotels in Altea are of a very high standard with many facilities available to you such as swimming pools, sauna, Jacuzzi, restaurants, breakfast should be included in the cost, parking, internet access etc.
Five star hotels in Altea are the most luxurious standard of hotel possible and of course the most expensive. Expect the highest standards of service and quality. Most five star hotels in Altea will have additional health facilities such as health and spa centres.
Example of a five star hotel in Altea:
Hotel Melia ***** Address: Urb. Altea Hills, C/ Suecia – Altea Telephone: 966 881 006.
Guide to Altea Hostels
A really cheap alternative to staying in an Altea hotel is to book into an Altea hostel. Be advised that these hostels are very basic accommodation traditionally sought out by student travelers and backpackers on a budget.
Some hostels in Altea will require you to sleep in a room with other guests and share bathrooms. In some cases there will be a strict time that you have to be in. Needless to say – staying in a Altea hostel is the cheapest form of accommodation you can find in Altea.
We recommend these Altea hostels:
Hostal Galera del Mar Address: C/ Tortola, 7, Altea Telephone: +34 965 841 046
Hostal El Travador ** Address: Ctra. N-332 km 132, Altea Telephone: +34 966 882 490
Hostal Paco ** Address: Avda. Jaime I, 74, Altea Telephone: +34 965 840 541
Hostal El Fornet * Address: C/ Beniarda, 1, Altea Telephone: +34 965 843 005
Pension La Mar Address: La Mar, 82, Altea Telephone: +34 965 843 016
Altea Camping Sites
Cap Blanch Playa de Cap Blanch, 25 – El Albir Telephone: +34 965 888 748
Miami Pda. Cap Blanch, 1 Telephone: +34 965 840 386
Take a look at this exciting tourist video of Altea.
Page Summary – This page contains unique content about the beach resort of Altea, a popular tourist destination on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain.
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- Airport Transfers to Altea
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- Altea Long Term Rentals
- Altea Map
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Nearby Towns and Places of Interest..
Sandra Meigh says
Are the shops open on Bank Holidays ie August 15th.
Gill Beale says
I would love to visit the old town and Church, but I have heart problems and would not be able to climb the steep steps. Is there any way of getting there by taxi or public transport please?
Margaret Mary says
Yes. You can get a taxi from the rank just off the main shopping street in Altea. Avenida Jaume 1. It is left after the covered food market. It only takes a few minutes ant the driver will give you a card for coming back.
If you are nervous about speaking Spanish on the phone one of the cafe owners will ring for you.
The local Altea taxi firm is 966810010.
It is definitely worth doing, Enjoy it. Margarita l