Altea, Spain: Mediterranean Gem in Alicante Province

Altea sits on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante, within the Valencian Community (Comunitat Valenciana) — Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast.

Location Specifics

• Coordinates: 38.6°N, 0.05°W
• Distance: 60 km NE of Alicante city; 120 km S of Valencia
• Setting: Sierra de Bernia backdrop; old town (casco antiguo) on hill overlooking bay
• Microclimate: 320+ sunny days/yr; mild winters (12–18°C), warm summers (25–30°C)

Distinctive Character

• Whitewashed old town: Cobblestone lanes, blue-domed church (Nuestra Señora del Consuelo), artisan workshops
• Artists' colony: Since 1950s — galleries, studios, craft markets
• Promenade: Paseo Marítimo with palms, restaurants, marina (Club Náutico)
• Peñón de Ifach: Iconic limestone rock (332 m) visible across bay (Calpe)

Access

• Road: AP-7 (toll) / N-332 (coastal) — exit 64 Altea
• Rail: TRAM Metropolitano (Line 9) — Alicante ↔ Denia, stops Altea
• Air: Alicante-Elche (ALC) — 50 min drive; Valencia (VLC) — 1 hr 20 min

Altea balances tourism (summer pop. 5× resident 22K) with preserved character — stricter building codes than neighbors Benidorm or Calpe.