What to see in Altea with your car hire

Altea is the perfect destination for those who’d like to discover the best of the Mediterranean and its beaches. If you’re looking for what to do in Altea, we have some suggestions to help you discover it with all your senses. 

Altea is just 55 km from Alicante and 90 km from Valencia, you can get to Altea with your car hire at Alicante Airport , it is located less than 60 km from Altet airport, and 150 km from Manises Airport in Valencia. 

It has been known as an artistic town for many years due to all the poets, singers, painters, sculptors and ceramic artists who chose it as their home, with some of the most famous including Eberhard Schlotter, Rafael Alberti and Vicente Blasco Ibáñez.   

Discover the beaches at Altea by car

Altea has around 8 km of coastline with a number of stunning soft sandy beaches. There are also several coves with calm and crystal clear waters between the cliffs of Sierra de Bierna.  If you’re struggling to choose, here we’ll give you a description of each of the best beaches in Altea. 

• Cap Blanch Beach 

You’ll find this beach between Club Náutico Altea and Albir Beach. It is 1 km long with crystal clear waters and is very well connected, so you can get there easily from the town centre. 

• La Olla Beach 

For those who like their beaches a bit more untamed, this is one of the best. It is a dog-friendly beach where you can swim and enjoy a pleasant walk with your pet. 

• Cap Negret Beach 

This is one of the quietest beaches and it offers one of the most beautiful landscapes. You’ll find it between Soio Cove and the mouth of the Algar River. We highly recommend you visit. 

• Barreta and Mascarat Beaches 

These two beaches are connected and are home to the Barra Grande Cove, which is a nudist beach.  Both are calm beaches and are located next to the Luis Campomanes Marina. 

• La Roda Beach 

This gravel and pebble beach is one of the most well-known in Altea. Its calm waters are home to many fish and are perfect for swimming, playing with the family and relaxing. The beach is also accessible for disabled people. 

• L’Espigó Beach 

This beach is protected by two breakwaters and is perfect for visiting in the winter as it is surrounded by a long promenade, where you can enjoy views of both the sea and the spectacular Sierra de Bernia. 

What to do in Altea’s Old Town 

One of the best things to do in Altea is explore its Old Town, starting with the Consuelo Church, where you can enjoy incredible views from its numerous lookout points. 

You could visit the Carmelitas Descalzas Monastery, the Galera Tower (declared a Site of Cultural Interest) and, of course, the Nuestra Señora de Consuelo Church itself, with its blue domes, which gave the municipality its nickname of “the dome of the Mediterranean”. 

The town has preserved its Arab-style architecture, with narrow streets and small houses with flowers on the balconies, making for a very pleasant relaxing stroll. If you’re a food lover, you should make sure you try some caldero, arroz a banda or fideuá at one of the town’s numerous restaurants. 

If artisanal crafts are what you’re looking for, the town is full of little artisanal shops that offer all kinds of nice gifts and souvenirs. What’s more, every summer Altea hosts “La Mostra d’Artesania”, where all of these shops and many other artisans present their crafts in the streets.