Looking for the right vacation destinations and asking yourself the big question: “Is Altea worth visiting?”
If you ask me, I’ll say a big YES! Altea is absolutely worth visiting.
But I’ll leave it to you to decide, as you might not be looking for the kind of destination Altea can offer.
Altea has a wonderful old town, a picture-perfect whitewashed hilltop village crowned by a medieval church. Besides, there are beautiful beaches where you can soak in the sun.
In this post, I’ll go through the reasons why Altea is such a fabulous place to visit, but I’ll also be real and point out what might be lacking in Altea, so you can make a decision whether it’s the right choice for you or not.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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Is Altea worth visiting?
First, a few pros and cons of visiting Altea so you can get a quick view of what to expect.
Pros
- Charming white hilltop village
- A lot of local art shops and workshops
- Beautiful coastline
- Plenty of restaurants and bars
- Beautiful viewpoints
Cons
- Beaches aren’t sandy
- A lot of hills to walk
Reasons to visit Altea Spain
Charming old town
Altea Old Town is easily the most charming in Costa Blanca. Perched on a hilltop and crowned by the beautiful Parish Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, with its beautiful, blue dome.
The old town is full of picture-perfect corners, art shops, restaurants, and bars. I’ve been to Altea several times and never get sick of walking around the old town.
The local art
I love how there are so many art shops and workshops around Altea. I stepped inside more than one and really enjoyed it.
It’s not hard to understand where the inspiration comes from. All you gotta do is walk through the narrow streets of the whitewashed old town and you’ll see inspiration around every corner.
Beautiful coastline
Altea has a beautiful coast with beaches lined by a vibrant promenade where you can go for nice evening walks.
The beaches are nice and well equipped with sunbeds and shade for rent as well as beach bars and restaurants.
Besides, it’s a fantastic destination for kayaking! Check out this kayak tour to explore the incredible coastline between Altea and Calpe.
Plenty of restaurants and bars
Besides being incredibly beautiful, there are also a lot of great restaurants and bars in Altea. It’s definitely a foodie destination, and you can savor anything from local traditions to international delights.
I’ve tried several restaurants, both in the old town and in the lower parts of town, and so far, I haven’t been disappointed.
I especially loved FAM by Shabby Chic near the church square at the top of the white village, they also have vegan options.
The viewpoints
There’s nothing better than a good view, and Altea has plenty! Considering the old town is on a hilltop, it’s not really that surprising.
I highly recommend walking around and looking for the best spots, altogether, there are views of both directions of the coast as well as the inland.
Less touristy than other places nearby
While Altea is a popular holiday destination and attracts a lot of expats, especially from the UK, it’s still less touristy than other Costa Blanca towns.
This gives it a more laid-back feel than other destinations nearby.
Reasons not to visit Altea
Alright, so now we’ve looked at all the reasons for visiting Altea. But are there only fantastic things about this town? Probably not, but it all comes down to what you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for any of the following, you might start considering any other destination for your trip.
The beaches aren’t sandy
If you love to feel the sand between your toes, Altea’s beaches will disappoint you. While they are beautiful, they are of pebbles and far from the fine sandy paradise you might be looking for.
If fine-sanded beaches are what you’re looking for, I recommend checking out nearby Calpe.
It’s very hilly
If you want to see the old town, you need to be prepared for walking some mean hills. If this isn’t for you, then Altea is probably not the best old town for you.
Instead, consider the medieval town of Javea or the colorful streets of Denia nearby.
Summing up: Is it worth visiting Altea?
Summing up, Altea is a fantastic destination on Costa Blanca if you want a more laid-back atmosphere than what other more popular places nearby, like Benidorm, can offer.
If you’re a lover of art, I highly recommend Altea. I stepped inside more than one art gallery, which was really inspiring.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a beach vacation with sandy beaches and you want to hit the nightclubs at night, there are other destinations on Costa Blanca that might appeal more to you, like Benidorm, Alicante, and Torrevieja.
Wherever your heart leads you, happy travels!