Altea
Altea is one of the most charming towns on the Costa Blanca. Known for its whitewashed old town, blue-domed church, narrow cobbled streets and beautiful views over the Mediterranean, it is a place that feels both elegant and deeply relaxed.
While many coastal towns are built around busy beaches and tourism, Altea has kept a softer rhythm. It is a town made for slow walks, long lunches, art galleries, small cafés, hidden corners and quiet moments with a sea view.
For visitors who want to experience a more authentic and atmospheric side of Costa Blanca, Altea is a beautiful place to begin.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo
Altea’s iconic blue-domed church, glowing beautifully as evening falls over the old town.
A town with character
The heart of Altea is its old town, also known as the casco antiguo. Here, white houses climb the hillside in a maze of narrow streets, flower-filled balconies, artisan shops and small restaurants.
At the top, you find the Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, famous for its blue and white tiled dome. From the square around the church, the views stretch across the rooftops, the sea and the surrounding mountains.
Altea has also long attracted artists, makers and creative people. As you walk through the old town, you will find galleries, ceramic studios, paintings, sculptures, handmade jewellery, textile pieces and small design shops tucked into the narrow streets. Many independent designers have their own boutiques here, offering clothing, accessories, interiors and handcrafted pieces you will not find in ordinary high-street shops.
This creative atmosphere gives Altea a special personality. It feels elegant, artistic and personal, but still relaxed and Mediterranean. The town invites you to notice the details — a blue door, a painted tile, a small gallery window, a handmade dress, a quiet courtyard or a piece of art hidden in a side street.
It is the kind of place where you do not need a strict plan. The best way to experience Altea is to wander slowly, stop when something catches your eye and let the town unfold naturally.
Altea invites you to slow down—
to follow the white streets, breathe in the sea air and stay a little longer.
Art, craft and Mediterranean soul
Altea has long been known for its creative atmosphere. Artists, makers and independent shops give the town a special feeling, especially in the old streets where galleries and small boutiques sit beside traditional homes.
This artistic side is part of what makes Altea different. It does not feel overly polished or commercial. It feels personal, lived-in and full of small details.
For travellers looking for more than sightseeing, Altea offers a sense of place. You can feel the mix of history, creativity and Mediterranean simplicity in the streets, the food and the pace of the town.
“Every corner of Altea tells a story. Every time I walk through Altea I see new details and discover new hidden streets.”
- Anja Normann
Sea views and slow coastal living
Although the old town is one of Altea’s main attractions, the coastline is also part of its charm. The seafront promenade is perfect for a relaxed walk, with views of the Mediterranean, small restaurants and places to sit with a coffee or glass of wine.
Altea is not about rushing from one attraction to another. It is about atmosphere. Morning light on the white houses. Lunch by the sea. An afternoon walk through the old town. Evening views from the church square.
It is this slower rhythm that makes people fall in love with the town.
Food, markets and local flavours
Altea is also a lovely place to enjoy the flavours of Costa Blanca. Around the town, you can find Mediterranean restaurants, tapas, fresh seafood, rice dishes, local wines, olive oil and seasonal produce.
Every Tuesday, Altea comes alive with its weekly market, where visitors can browse fresh fruit and vegetables, local products, clothes, flowers and everyday Spanish market life. It is a wonderful way to feel the local rhythm of the town.
Altea also has a traditional food market that is open throughout the week, where you can find fresh fish, meat and other local ingredients. For anyone who loves food, this gives a glimpse into the everyday flavours that shape Mediterranean cooking.
The surrounding region is rich in agriculture, with citrus, olives, almonds, vineyards and mountain landscapes all within reach. This makes Altea a perfect base for visitors who want to combine coastal beauty with food experiences, local producers and countryside moments.
A day in Altea can easily become more than a visit to a pretty town. It can become a taste of the Mediterranean lifestyle.
Why visit Altea?
Altea is perfect for travellers who enjoy beauty, culture and a slower pace. It is romantic without being too formal, artistic without being pretentious and lively without losing its calm.
It is a place for couples, solo travellers, families, small groups and anyone who wants to see a softer side of Costa Blanca.
Visit Altea for the views, the old town, the food, the art and the feeling of being somewhere that still has its own soul.
The Ground & Connect way to experience Altea
At Ground & Connect, we love places that invite people to slow down and connect with their surroundings. Altea does exactly that.
It is not only a beautiful town to photograph. It is a place to experience slowly — through its streets, its light, its food, its people and the landscape around it.
Altea is also connected to our own experiences. One of our local partners is based just outside the town, on a traditional finca surrounded by nature and farmland. With its farm-style atmosphere, open space and peaceful setting, it reflects what Ground & Connect is all about: real places, local people, good food and time to simply be present.
This finca also gives us the possibility to host more intimate experiences and retreats close to Altea, combining the charm of the old town with the calm of the countryside.
We also work with selected Airbnb stays in the centre of Altea, making it possible for guests to stay close to the old town, local restaurants, shops and sea views while still having access to curated experiences in the surrounding area.
For us, Altea represents what Costa Blanca does so well: sea, mountains, culture, local flavour and Mediterranean calm all in one place.
