About Altea La Vella, Altea Town and Old Town Altea...
Altea is located in the province of Alicante in Spain, approximately 50 kilometers from the city of Alicante. Altea la Vella, Altea Town with the picturesque Old Town Altea arepart of this municipality. From Alicante-Elche airport, you can reach Altea in approximately 45 minutes by car using the toll road. If you want to bypass the toll road, you can take the exit towards El Campello just before this. You then drive via the beautiful coastal road N332, with a view of the sea, past the towns of Villajoyosa and Benidorm towards Altea. This will prolong your journey with only about 10 minutes.
In Altea you will find a diversity of nationalities, including many Norwegians, English, Dutch, and Belgians. They usually have a second home here. You will only find a few hotels, hostels and B&Bs. This distinguishes Altea from other seaside resorts such as Benidorm, which is only 11 kilometres away.
Obviously, Altea is busier in the summer than in the winter months. But where other places can often become deserted in winter, Altea retains its liveliness and conviviality in every season. This also makes it a great place to spend the winter. Most shops in Altea are Spanish owned. The restaurants and terraces on the boulevard are run by both Spanish and foreign owners.
The promenade of Altea
Just a ten-minute walk from the apartment is Altea town and the lively promenade by the beach. Here you will find numerous cosy terraces and restaurants. While enjoying a cup of coffee or delicious sangria and with a view over the sea, it is wonderful to stay here all year round. There is plenty of shopping to be done on the boulevard and in the centre. You can also take a lovely walk from the apartment towards the adjacent seaside resort of El Albir. Altea town is also alive in the winter period. Every Tuesday morning is the local market.
Oud Town Altea
Old town speaks to the imagination. That is why tourists from all over the area visit the old town centre. With its white houses and small streets, you will feel like you are in earlier times and a completely different world. You walk up through narrow staircase streets where you will find more authentic Spanish streets. Around the church Virgen del Consuelo there are some arts and crafts shops, small fashion shops, and plenty of restaurants and terraces. This old town is particularly characteristic. The church is not to be missed: the beautiful blue domes stand out from far away. On the square near the church, you have a beautiful view of the rest of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
In September, the fiestas of the Moros and the Cristianos take place in Altea. These festivities are reminiscent of the struggle between the Moors (Arabs) and the Christians. The Moors occupied Spain for a long time. If you're here during that time, it's not to be missed.
