Altea on the Costa Blanca, Spain.

Altea on the Costa Blanca in Spain is without any doubt one of the most delightful towns on the Costa Blanca. This town has nothing to do with skyscraper party all night neighbor Benidorm just 11 km away. Altea has a beautiful old town with cobbled streets leading up to the blue and white domed church. It is a restful holiday resort with nice restaurants and plenty to do and see in and around the old quarter and the palmed seafront esplanade.

Altea on the Costa Blanca in Spain is situated 62km north of Alicante. In the 60s Altea became a centre for artists, musicians and writers from all over Europe and you can still feel the air of those times strolling through the tiny streets with its small shops presenting local handicrafts and art.

However today’s visitor will also find that Altea has turned into a town that cares for all discerning tourists boasting a well of first class restaurants offering the typical Paella as well as the more international cuisine.

From the top of the hill you will be able to enjoy one of the most magnificent views on the Costa Blanca towards the bay and the mountains.

The Palau Altea Centre d'Arts provides a vast variety of entertainment and cultural activities for both residents and visitors.

The beautiful seafront esplanade is the place for all day walks and sipping a drink while letting the world go by.

In Altea itself a nice walking tour could be starting in Plaza de Convento take the Pont de Moncau to the Vellaguarda. From Vellaguarda through the narrow cobbled medieval streets upwards to the old quarter Plaza and the blue domed church. Along the way you will most certainly stop for a while admiring the buildings with its indricated carved wooden doors and balconies with metal grills. All with flowers like geraniums and jasmines. Another reason for stopping along the way is the many gift and arts shops galleries.

As you can understand this is not the place to rush through. You will need time. Once on the top at the Plaza you will be able to contemplate a beautiful view over the Altea bay and the Sierra Bernia Mountain.

This is a perfect place to have a drink or a meal. There are plenty of restaurants and bars around the Plaza. All in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Virgin del Consuelo which means Our Lady of Solace church with its blue dome is one of Costa Blanca’s postcard favorites. It dates back to the turn of the 20th century.

Throughout the town there are many excellent restaurant to enjoy at quite reasonable prices serving typical Valencian dishes like the Paella, snails with onion fish stew, sea-urchins and of course the more international cuisine.

There are museums like Museo Navarro Ramon and the Casa de Cultura in addition to Altea´s new Palau de las Artes. Ask at the tourist information to see what is going on during your stay.

The Sierra Bernia is a good place for walkers and climbers with its mountain range.

There is also a train service from Altea on the Costa Blanca to other coastal towns like Alicante, Benidorm and Denia.

For family fun you can visit the Terra Mitica just outside Benidorm ( Spain´s largest theme park ) or the Aqualandia and the marine and birdlife park Mundomar.

There is also the Moorish mountain fortress at Guadalest, and the stalagmites and stalactites in the incredible Cova del Rull in the Ebo Valley. The Peñon de Ifach at Calpe (Looks like Gibraltar ) is a protected reserve for sea life, flora and fauna.

Altea Nightlife

Altea on the Costa Blanca in Spain is not a disco land but it has a wide range of first class restaurants and bars. Besides here there are no strict license and opening hour’s laws!. During the summer months you will encounter entertainment in restaurants and bars. For information about what is happening during your stay you will find the Costa Blanca News paper at the newspaper stand.

If international Dj music at spectacular discos until late hours is your thing you have Benidorm a 10 minutes drive along the coast. Also served by train service throughout the night.

The Castillo del Conde de Alfaz is the place for an unusual but superb entertainment with "medieval" knights giving a fantastic show of expert jousting and horsemanship. The castle is close to Altea on the road towards Benidorm. Please observe that during the medieval supper you eat with your finger. Wash your hands before going!

Check the tourist information on the seafront esplanade for details about concerts, ballet, opera and flamenco shows going on at the Palau de Altea.

There are fiestas going on in Altea throughout the year but the most important one is the “ battle between the Christians and the Moors at the end of September. The town becomes a riot of procession and parades with music from bands all set in a colorful atmosphere.

During the High season in Altea on the Costa Blanca in Spain you will be able to enjoy the following fiestas:

1. Feast of San Antonio which takes places from June 11th-13th at Cap Blanch

2. San Juan fiesta June 24th at El Fornet

3. Feast of San Pedro and la Virgen del Carmen in July.

4. Feast of San Jaime at Cap Blanch

5. Feast of Santa Anna in July in Altea la Vella ( 2km from Altea )

6. Feast of San Lorenzo from August 1st-15th at Castell de l'Olla

Do not the sound of religiousness put you off. In reality it is like a huge party.