At Altea the Sierra Bernia mountains form a stunning backdrop as they come down to meet the sea. Altea is similar to other Spanish seaside towns in that it has a new and an old part. The two parts, coast side and town side, are split by the very busy N332 coast road.
On the coast side is the new town including the beach and marina. There is a good stretch of sandy beach turning pebbly as it goes north and the views across the bay to Calpe’s famous rock, the Peñón de Ifach, are lovely. To the south the marina is fabulous with bars, restaurants and even a swimming pool.
Apartment blocks line the busy street beside the promenade but even so, the place has a very upmarket feel about it. There is a definite buzz, activity going on everywhere.
The old village
The old part of Altea is a picture postcard village overlooking the sea and the first thing you notice when you come up here is the calm and tranquility, a complete contrast to the coast side. It feels like an enigmatic movie set, James Bond should be standing by the railings at the far side in a Tuxedo! It is absolutely gorgeous.
Craft shops and galleries line narrow streets and at the very top there is a beautiful church square with tapas bars. The church of La Mare de Déu del Consol (“Our Lady of Solace”) is easily identifiable by its picturesque blue and white domes, tiled with glazed ceramics.
Old Altea has charm by the bucketful and if we didn’t have two dogs and a requirement for outside space we would probably be living up here in a townhouse with a roof terrace! Perched on the top of a hill, the views are spectacular – it is so beautiful and really peaceful.
I didn’t realise you could fall in love with an actual place but old Altea has really got me. The views from the top are stunning ….
A Spanish Adventure 