Things to Do in Altea

Discover one of the Costa Blanca’s most picturesque towns

South of Moraira lies Altea, one of the most recognisable towns on the Costa Blanca. Its whitewashed old town climbs the hillside above the Mediterranean, crowned by the famous blue-and-white tiled domes of the Nuestra Señora del Consuelo church.
But Altea offers more than a photogenic old centre. You can wander through cobbled streets and art galleries, enjoy lunch around Plaza de la Iglesia, walk along the seafront, visit the marina, discover local shops or even combine your visit with a craft brewery or a hike in the nearby Sierra de Bèrnia. From Moraira, Altea makes an easy and very worthwhile day trip.

Last updated: September 2026

Explore Altea’s Old Town
If you visit Altea for the first time, we would start in the Casco Antiguo, the historic old town. Altea’s oldest quarter sits above the modern coastal town and is a maze of:

• whitewashed houses
• cobbled streets
• narrow stairways
• small boutiques
• galleries
• cafés
• viewpoints over the Mediterranean

The historic centre includes remains of the old fortified town, including Portal Vell and Portal Nou, the former gateways through the town walls. This is not somewhere to rush. Part of the pleasure is simply walking uphill through the streets, taking an unexpected side road and discovering another view of the sea between the white houses. Comfortable shoes are a good idea: Altea’s Old Town is beautiful, but it is also steep.

Visit the blue-domed church
At the highest point of the old town stands Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo. The church has become the symbol of Altea, largely because of its distinctive domes covered in blue and white ceramic tiles. Although a church existed on the site centuries earlier, the building we see today was constructed between 1900 and 1910in a Neo-Baroque style. Entry to the church is currently free.
Its position makes it visible from much of the surrounding area. Even if churches are not usually high on your sightseeing list, this one is worth visiting simply because it forms such an important part of Altea’s character.

Spend time at Plaza de la Iglesia
Directly outside the church lies Plaza de la Iglesia. For us, this is one of the nicest places in Altea to stop. The square is surrounded by restaurants, bars and terraces, while just a few steps away there are viewpoints across the rooftops towards the Mediterranean. During the day it is a natural stopping point while exploring the old town. In the evening, the atmosphere changes completely as the terraces fill and the streets around the square become livelier. If you have time, Altea is one of those places where it is worth staying beyond the afternoon. The old town is particularly atmospheric after sunset.

Enjoy the viewpoints over Altea
One of the rewards for walking uphill is the view. Around the old town you will find several miradores, or viewpoints, overlooking:

• Altea itself
• the Mediterranean
• Serra Gelada
• the coastline towards Calpe
• the surrounding mountains

The official regional tourism guide specifically highlights the panoramic viewpoints throughout Altea’s historic centre. Our advice is not to look for only one famous viewpoint. As you walk through the old town, you will naturally come across several places where the buildings suddenly open up and the Mediterranean appears below you.

Walk along Altea’s seafront
After exploring the old town, head downhill towards the Mediterranean. Altea has a long seafront promenade where you can walk beside the beach, stop for coffee or lunch and enjoy a very different atmosphere from the historic centre above.
Unlike many Costa Blanca resorts, Altea’s main beaches are predominantly pebble and gravel beaches rather than broad sandy beaches. One of the best-known is La Roda, a central beach stretching for around 1.4 kilometres. It sits directly beside the promenade and has restaurants and cafés nearby.
Nearby Bol Beach is another central option with calm water and direct access to the town and promenade. You do not necessarily have to choose between old town and coast. They are different parts of the same Altea experience.

Visit the marina and enjoy the waterfront
Altea has a strong connection with the sea. Around the marina and sailing club you will find boats, restaurants and opportunities for watersports. This is also a pleasant starting point for a walk along the coast.
If your ideal day involves fewer churches and more Mediterranean views, you could easily spend part of the morning around the marina and promenade before heading uphill to the old town later in the afternoon. That combination works particularly well in summer, when the old centre can be hot during the middle of the day.

Browse the boutiques and art galleries
Altea has long attracted artists and creative businesses. That influence is still visible in the historic centre, where small galleries, artisan shops, jewellery stores and boutiques sit between restaurants and traditional houses. Shopping here feels very different from visiting a large commercial centre. Rather than international chains, the appeal lies mainly in small independent businesses and things you might not find elsewhere. The streets around the old town are particularly good for combining sightseeing with a little browsing.

Visit Cervezas Althaia
Looking for something completely different? Altea is home to Cervezas Althaia, a local craft brewery. The brewery currently offers guided visits in both Spanish and English. The experience lasts around 1½ to 2 hours and includes a tour of the production area followed by a tasting of four beers paired with local food products.
English-language tours are currently offered at selected times on Fridays and Saturdays, but schedules can change, so we recommend checking and booking beforehand. It is a fun alternative if you have visited Altea before and want to do something beyond the usual old-town walk.

Go hiking in Sierra de Bèrnia
If you enjoy walking, Altea can also be combined with the nearby Sierra de Bèrnia. One of the best-known routes leads to Forat de Bèrnia, a natural tunnel through the mountain that opens onto a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Altea, Serra Gelada and the Mediterranean.
The full PR-CV 7/75-style circular routes around Bèrnia are considerably more demanding than walking through Altea itself, so this should be treated as a separate hiking activity rather than a casual extension of an afternoon in town. The official regional walking guide lists a circular route of roughly 11 kilometres and around 3½ hours, with spring, autumn and winter as the recommended seasons. For most holidaymakers, we would therefore choose either: Altea Old Town · coast or Sierra de Bèrnia hiking · Altea for a late lunch or dinner. Trying to do everything in one day can make the visit unnecessarily rushed.

Where should you park in Altea?

We would not recommend driving into the narrowest streets of the historic centre looking for a parking space. The official tourism itinerary also recommends parking lower down towards the coastal part of Altea and exploring the old town on foot. This avoids negotiating steep, narrow streets and also gives you a natural route: seafront · town · Old Town · Plaza de la Iglesia
Remember that the climb is noticeable, particularly on a hot summer day.

Is Altea worth visiting from Moraira?

Definitely. Moraira and Altea both have a Mediterranean character, but they feel very different. Moraira is smaller and revolves strongly around its beaches, marina and compact centre. Altea’s identity is much more closely connected with its hillside Old Town, white houses, blue domes, art galleries and dramatic views. For a first visit, our ideal route would be: Seafront · Old Town · Nuestra Señora del Consuelo · viewpoints · long lunch or early dinner around Plaza de la Iglesia You could comfortably spend half a day here, but staying into the evening makes Altea even more enjoyable.

More day trips from Moraira

Moraira is a convenient base for exploring the northern Costa Blanca. If you enjoy Altea, there are several other towns and places worth discovering during your holiday.

• Things to Do in Calpe
  
• Things to Do in Jávea
  
• Things to Do in Guadalest
  
• Things to Do in Dénia
  
• Things to Do in Alicante
  
• Things to Do in Valencia

Staying in Moraira?

Moraira Holiday Homes has specialised in holiday accommodation in Moraira and nearby Benissa Costa since 2004. Our collection includes private villas with swimming pools and sea views, as well as apartments and penthouses in the centre of Moraira. Because we live locally, we know not only our properties but also the surrounding Costa Blanca.
That means we can help you choose a holiday home in Moraira while also sharing our favourite ideas for restaurants, beaches and day trips such as Altea.
👉🏻 Explore our holiday homes in Moraira

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Frequently Asked Questions about Altea

What are the best things to do in Altea?
The highlights are exploring the whitewashed Old Town, visiting Nuestra Señora del Consuelo church, enjoying the views from Plaza de la Iglesia, walking along the seafront and visiting the marina.

Is Altea worth visiting?
Yes. Altea is one of the most distinctive towns on the Costa Blanca, combining a beautiful hillside Old Town with blue-domed churches, Mediterranean views, beaches, restaurants and a lively seafront.

What is Altea famous for?
Altea is best known for its whitewashed historic centre and the blue-and-white tiled domes of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo church, which has become the town’s most recognisable landmark.

Does Altea have an Old Town?
Yes. Altea’s historic centre sits on the hillside above the modern town and contains whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, former town gates, viewpoints, shops, restaurants and art galleries.

Does Altea have sandy beaches?
Altea is mainly known for pebble and gravel beaches rather than wide sandy beaches. La Roda and Bol are two of the most central beaches.

How long do you need in Altea?
Half a day is enough to explore the Old Town and seafront, but we recommend allowing longer if you want to have lunch, browse the shops or experience Plaza de la Iglesia in the evening.

Is Altea suitable for children?
Yes, although the historic centre has steep streets, steps and uneven surfaces. Families may also enjoy the promenade and beaches lower down in town.

Where should you park when visiting Altea?
Parking lower down near the coastal part of town is usually the easiest option. From there, you can walk towards the historic centre rather than driving through its narrow streets.

Can you visit Altea from Moraira?
Yes. Altea is an easy day trip south of Moraira and can be combined with Calpe or other places along the Costa Blanca if you have more time.

Can you go hiking near Altea?
Yes. Sierra de Bèrnia is one of the best-known hiking areas nearby. The route to Forat de Bèrnia offers spectacular views towards Altea and the Mediterranean.