Mediterranean Charm in Altea’s Old Town

Altea is located 50 km away from Alicante city, 10km from Benidorm and 130 km from Valencia, in the North of the Alicante province on the Costa Blanca. It is set in a bay, with the Punta del Albir and the Morro de Toix at either end. The town has a municipal district called Altea la Vieja, at the foot of the Sierra de Bernia mountain range. The town of Altea is 34.43Km² and has a population of 21,813 inhabitants (INE 2017). The engine of Altea’s economy is tourism, although agriculture and fishing continue to play an important role. Altea’s crop par excellence is citrus and loquat fruit, being the first town in the Autonomous Community of Valencia to declare itself free of genetically modified products. The main features of Altea, in addition to the white pebble beach, the sea promenade and the fishing harbour, are its old quarters, with the ruins of the castle, its whitewashed houses and the magnificent church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, with the famous blue dome that is the image and emblem of Altea. Altea holds the title “Cultural Capital of the Autonomous Community of Valencia”, as a result of its many art galleries, foundations of famous painters, the “Casal Fester” which houses historic elements of 25 years of Moors and Christians fiestas, the Department of Fine Arts of the Miguel Hernández University and the Palau Altea. More than 6 km of coastline with cliffs alternating coves and beaches such as La Olla, Cap Negret, El Mascarat and Cap Blanc and, of course, the Altea Yacht Club.