Altea Holidays 2024/2025
Millions of tourists enjoy holidays to Costa Blanca every year. This stunning region is renowned for its beautiful beaches, and lively resorts, such as Benidorm. But it has a quieter side, too. Altea holidays are perfect for anyone who loves Costa Blanca’s beaches, but would prefer to stay in a quiet town instead of a busy coastal resort. You’ll love exploring this quaint, historic town perched on the beautiful beach.
Altea Holiday Deals
Altea’s traditional side
Altea’s a 15-minute drive from upbeat Benidorm, but they couldn’t be more different. In Altea, you’ll experience unspoilt Costa Brava at its finest. The beautiful, medieval town boasts patterned streets, flower-filled alleyways and whitewashed houses.
The old part of Altea is hundreds of years old. It was built on a hill, surrounded by fortified walls, to prevent pirate attacks. You can still see the remains of the old walls surrounding the town. Altea has lots of steep streets and quaint staircases, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning ocean views when you reach the top.
The town’s most iconic building is the Virgen del Consuelo, a church topped with a striking blue and white dome. It’s next to a picturesque, paved square, which is lined with bars, restaurants and cafés. As you wander the alleys of Altea, you’ll find plenty more local tapas bars and one-off boutiques to browse.
Stunning coastline
While you’ll appreciate Altea’s historic centre, that’s not the only thing on offer – many people go on holidays in Altea for the beautiful beaches. Altea has five miles of coastline, comprised of small coves and long sweeps of sand.
The town’s main beach is Playa de la Roda. It’s located opposite the old town, and has Blue Flag status. This is one of the liveliest beaches in the area, with amenities including sunloungers, showers and good disabled access. It’s bordered by a promenade lined with shops, ice cream stands and restaurants. This is one of the best spots in the region to try out water sports, from snorkelling to kayaking.
Explore the nature reserve
Near the marina, you’ll find Playa del Mascarat. This unspoilt cove is the perfect spot for a quiet swim. It’s bordered by Sierra de Bernia, a nature reserve characterised by its vast collection of rugged mountains, gorges and vegetation. There are stunning views of this unspoilt natural setting from the beach, which is sheltered by limestone cliffs.
You can embrace your inner adventurer while visiting Sierra de Bernia, as there is a tunnel stretching 20m through the mountain, which can be used by locals and tourists alike. You won’t need a torch, but you may have to crouch down to find your way through. The views at the other end are well worth it.
Family-friendly fun
The whole family will enjoy holidays in Altea, Spain’s under-the-radar destination for kid-friendly activities. Within the town, you’ll find a playground on the seafront, a mini golf range and a video games arcade. Meanwhile, La Bocana is a water sports company that teaches children aged six and above, offering stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking courses.
Jump on a local bus and you’ll find a range of kid-friendly attractions. Less than 10 minutes away is Aqua Park, near Albir Garden Resort, which has water slides and splash pools. On the outskirts of Benidorm, you’ll discover Mundo Mar, an animal park, which offers swimming with dolphins.
There’s also a Dino Park in the area, where you’ll find life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. It’s located five miles from Altea, in a cactus garden.
Lively nights out in Altea Benidorm
Laid-back Altea has lots of nightlife options, with several clubs and lots of bars. One of the most characterful is Bar La Mascarada, in Altea’s old town. It’s a café and museum by day, as the walls are decorated with masks from around the world. There’s a terrace for quiet evening drinks, and there’s even a dance floor.
However, Benidorm is highly recommended if you want British pubs, after-dinner cabaret shows and lots of beachfront super-clubs visited by top DJs. There are so many options to choose from.
Once you’ve visited Altea, Spain, holidays will never be the same. You’ll have found a place that offers you a little bit of everything: culture, beaches and family-friendly fun. Altea holidays are full of contrasts; spend your days seeking out isolated coves and your nights partying in Benidorm. Alternate hiking in the stunning Sierra Nevada with trips to water parks, or lazy sunset strolls along the seafront with adrenaline-fuelled water sports. Whether you’re travelling with friends or loved ones, you’ll have a fun, memorable holiday.