Guide to Altea La Vella

Altea La Vella is a small village and the least developed of the Costa Blanca resorts. Ancient cobbled streets of the old town are complemented by one of the Mediterranean’s finest palm-lined promenades, where artists show their work in the balmy evenings. Numerous galleries and craft workshops are scattered throughout the old town, which has been home to artists and musicians since the 1960’s. Whitewashed houses with colourful geraniums spilling from their window boxes line the narrow hilly streets giving you a flavour of the real Spain. Visit the blue domed Plaza de la Iglesia church square and view the panoramic vista of Altea esplanade and the sea, or drop into the popular La Plaza bar, or dine at an intimate old town restaurant.

The wide pebble beach stretches from La Olla island where there is a spectacular firework display in August, to Albir. The wide sandy beaches of Calpe are close by, as are the smaller coves which are dotted along the coast. The market takes place on Tuesdays, and is the largest on Costa Blanca, dominating the sea front and selling everything from good quality fresh produce to textiles, jewellery, leather goods and local souvenirs.

Our villas in Altea provide a good base for exploring the surrounding countryside, with its beautiful Algar waterfalls and mountain peak fortress Guadalest. Set amongst pine trees, citrus and almond groves, this peaceful little village has a low-key nightlife, but the round the clock entertainment of Benidorm is only a short drive away.

Recommended Beaches

Altea - Altea has six kilometres of pebble beaches interspersed with coves and cliffs. The palm fringed seafront The Passeig Maritim has plenty of bars and restaurants, but never becomes overrun with tourists even in the height of the season. Next to the old town is Playa la Roda which has a mixture of pebbles and sand, as does the most popular beach Playa de Cap Blanch to the south of the town.

Playa de Cap Negret - to the north is a shingle beach ending in a small cove called the 'Cala del Soio', distinctive for its black pebbles. L'Olla is another popular pebble beach opposite a small island of the same name. In Altea Bay is 'Mascarat point' where you'll find the shingled coves of La Barreta, La Solsida and La Galera. Altea has two high quality water sports centres. Activities on offer here include diving, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, water skiing and local boat cruises.

Take time to go…

for a walk in the mountains. Discover the Fuentes del Algar – the waterfalls of Algar – a beautiful spot where the water tumbles down the mountain into a splendid waterfall. Stroll along the river or swim in its pools…

visit the Candelabra Caves Cuevas del Canelobre are near Busot. Used as an ammunition store during the Spanish Civil War, this is a beautifully lit, huge single chamber, with excellent acoustics and is often used as a music venue.

climb the steep cobbled streets of Altea and enjoy the view from the famous church the Nuestra Senora del Consuelo with its impressive blue roof.

enjoy a paeso or evening stroll along the palm-lined promenade and view work of the town’s artists.

take the kids to Tirra Mitica, the largest theme park in Spain, on the outskirts of Benidorm. A fantastic family day out among ancient worlds, the brave can try the Tizona, an inverted roller coaster which reaches speeds of 62mpg! (15 minutes from Altea).

for a day away from the beaches, try Elche, Europe’s only palm forest. Inside the city enjoy the grassy promenades and adventure playgrounds of the Parque Municipal.