Altea – The Artists' Town on the Northern Costa Blanca 2026

Altea is the place on the Costa Blanca where whitewashed houses climb a hill towards a church with a blue-tiled dome, where artists exhibit in small galleries along cobblestone lanes, and where the Mediterranean glitters in the background no matter which street you are on. The municipality has almost 24,000 inhabitants, a third of them foreign nationals. The average price for a property is 3,000–4,200 euros per square metre depending on location — more expensive than the neighbouring towns but with a charm that is hard to replicate.

Altea is often called the cultural capital of the Costa Blanca, and there is good reason for it. The town has an art faculty at the Universidad Miguel Hernández, an old town classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural by the Valencian government in 2013, and Michelin-recognised restaurants. In this guide I go through prices by area, the old town, beaches, art, climate, and what you should consider before buying.

Where is Altea?

Altea is located in the comarca Marina Baixa in the Alicante province, on the northern Costa Blanca. The town sits by the sea, nestled between the Sierra Bernia mountain to the north and Benidorm's skyscrapers to the south. The municipality covers 34 square kilometres and has 6 kilometres of coastline.

Distances from Altea:

• Alicante-Elche airport: 60 km (45–50 minutes via AP-7)
• Benidorm centre: 11 km (15 minutes)
• Alfaz del Pi / Albir: 5 km (7 minutes)
• Calpe: 12 km (15 minutes)
• La Nucía: 10 km (12 minutes)
• Valencia city: 130 km (1 hour 30 minutes)
• Alicante city: 55 km (45 minutes)

The AP-7 motorway (toll-free since 2020) passes just south of Altea and provides good connections to both Alicante and Valencia. The TRAM tram stops in Altea and connects the town with Benidorm, Alfaz del Pi, and Alicante. It is unusual on the Costa Blanca to be able to manage without a car, but in Altea it is at least possible.

What does the old town of Altea look like?

Altea's casco antiguo is the heart of the town and the reason many people fall in love with the place at first sight. The old town sits on a hill above the sea, reached via steep lanes and steps, and is crowned by the church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo with its characteristic blue-and-white tiled dome.

The church with the blue dome

The church was built in the 18th century and is Altea's most photographed landmark. The blue-and-white ceramic tiles on the dome are visible from a great distance, whether you come from the sea, the mountain road above, or the neighbouring town of Alfaz del Pi. From the square in front of the church you can see 180 degrees across the Mediterranean. On clear days the Peñón de Ifach rock in Calpe is visible to the north.

Lanes, galleries, and white facades

The streets in the casco antiguo are cobbled, narrow, and car-free. The houses are whitewashed with blue details, a deliberate choice maintained by the municipality through building regulations. Bougainvillea hangs over the balconies. There are about twenty small galleries, ceramics workshops, and art shops.

The street plan partly dates from Moorish times. The streets were built as a labyrinth to confuse intruders. Today it means you find new corners every time you walk through, which is part of the charm.

The entire old town was classified as a Historic-Artistic Ensemble (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 2013 by the Generalitat Valenciana. This means facades, street spaces, and building types are protected. You cannot freely renovate, which keeps the character intact but can be frustrating if you want to remodel.

What does a property in Altea cost in 2026?

Altea is more expensive than most towns on the Costa Blanca, but prices vary considerably depending on whether you buy in the old town, at the coast, in Altea la Vella, or in the premium area of Altea Hills.

The average price for a resale property is around 3,000–3,500 euros per square metre. New builds cost 4,500–7,000 euros per square metre — 20 to 40 percent more than comparable resale properties. In the most exclusive area, Altea Hills, sale prices have reached 4,200–4,300 euros per square metre for resale.

Prices by area

• Casco antiguo (old town): 2,500–3,500 euros per square metre — townhouses and apartments in older buildings. Charm is at its maximum but parking spaces are rare and renovation requirements can be substantial.
• Altea centre (lower part): 2,800–3,500 euros per square metre — more modern apartments near the promenade and beach. Good access to services.
• Altea la Vella (inland): 2,200–3,000 euros per square metre — a quieter alternative with villas, gardens, and mountain views. Located 3 kilometres from the coast.
• Altea Hills: 3,500–5,500 euros per square metre — gated community with luxury villas, infinity pools, and panoramic views. The Sierra Helada mountain as a backdrop. Russian and northern European buyers live here.
• Coastal zone (not old town): 3,000–4,200 euros per square metre — modern villas and apartments near the beaches.

Typical prices by property type

• Apartment (2 rooms, 80 sqm): 220,000–320,000 euros
• Townhouse in old town (3 rooms, 120 sqm): 280,000–450,000 euros
• Villa with pool (4 rooms, 200 sqm): 500,000–900,000 euros
• Luxury villa in Altea Hills (300+ sqm): 900,000–2,500,000 euros

Always budget for 10–13 percent in additional costs on top of the purchase price: transfer tax (ITP, 10 percent in the Valencia region), notary fee, land registration, and legal fees.

During 2025 property prices in Spain rose 5–7 percent nationally, and Altea followed the trend with continued rising prices, especially in the premium segment. The market consists 85–90 percent of resale properties, meaning there is limited new development.

What beaches are there in Altea?

Altea's coastline stretches 6 kilometres with a mix of pebble beaches, rocky coves, and sandy beaches. Expectations should be calibrated correctly: most of Altea's beaches are pebble or shingle beaches, not the wide sandy expanses you find in Benidorm or Guardamar. What draws people is the clear water, snorkelling, and calmer atmosphere.

Playa de la Roda

The central beach below the old town. Pebble beach with a walkway, lifeguards, wheelchair ramp, and full service. Has blue flag status. The location is good but it can get crowded during high season. Families like the calm water and proximity to restaurants.

L'Olla

North of the harbour, just over a kilometre of beach with a calm atmosphere and crystal-clear water. Offshore lies a small island that creates a natural lagoon. Good snorkelling among posidonia seagrass and fish. L'Olla is probably Altea's most beautiful beach, but it has fewer facilities than La Roda.

Cap Negret

The northernmost beach, approximately 2 kilometres long with a rocky bottom and clean water. The best place in Altea for snorkelling, with abundant marine life and rock formations below the surface. Less touristy and more local in feel. A few chiringuitos (beach restaurants) are found along the way.

Cap Blanch

South of Altea, bordering Albir's beach. Wide pebble beach with blue flag status. Easy to access with a pushchair and good for walks. Less crowded than La Roda during summer.

Why is Altea called the artists' town?

Altea's reputation as an artists' town has real substance. Here is why.

The Faculty of Fine Arts (Bellas Artes)

The Universidad Miguel Hernández has its Faculty of Fine Arts (Facultad de Bellas Artes) in Altea. Hundreds of students study visual art, sculpture, and design for four years. The faculty organises exhibitions, workshops, and international events. In spring 2026, for example, they launched the first international stone carving workshops. The students give Altea a younger energy than most other coastal towns in the region.

Galleries and studios

Artists and musicians have for decades been drawn to Altea's old town. In the casco antiguo there are about twenty galleries and craft shops selling locally created art, ceramics, jewellery, and paintings. Much of what is sold is made in Altea or by artists living in the municipality. These are not mass-produced souvenirs.

Cultural events

Each September Altea celebrates Moros y Cristianos, a traditional festival with costume parades and re-enactments of medieval battles between Moors and Christians. The festival lasts several days. The rest of the year fills up with art markets, music festivals, and exhibitions, often linked to the university's activities.

What is the climate like in Altea?

Altea has a Mediterranean climate with long, dry summers and mild winters. The town records an estimated 2,870 hours of sunshine per year.

Temperatures throughout the year:

• Winter (December–February): 8–17 degrees. Clear days with cool air. Rain occurs but rarely in longer spells. You need heating indoors.
• Spring (March–May): 11–23 degrees. Best time for hiking, beach walks, and outdoor dining. Almond and orange trees are in blossom.
• Summer (June–August): 21–32 degrees. Warm and dry. July averages almost 11 hours of sunshine per day. The sea breeze moderates the heat compared with inland.
• Autumn (September–November): 14–27 degrees. Comfortable temperatures and a calmer atmosphere. October is the rainiest month.

Rainfall: Around 394 mm per year — low compared with Sweden (600–800 mm). Rainfall is concentrated in autumn. Summer is almost completely dry.

Who lives in Altea?

Altea had almost 24,000 registered inhabitants as of 1 January 2024, an increase of 0.6 percent from the previous year. Of these, roughly a third are foreign nationals — approximately 8,000 people.

The largest foreign groups are:

• Romanians: The numerically largest foreign group, often working in construction and services
• British: Historically large group, many retirees — somewhat declining since Brexit
• Russians: Altea and especially Altea Hills have a significant Russian community of well-heeled buyers
• Scandinavians: A smaller but established group. The large Scandinavian community is in the neighbouring municipality of Alfaz del Pi with Den Norske Skole and Norwegian associations — 7 minutes' drive away
• French, Germans, and Dutch: Established communities with restaurants and associations
• Spanish: Approximately two-thirds of the population — Altea has maintained a strong Spanish identity

The mix of nationalities, university students, and artists means Altea feels different from pure expat enclaves. You hear Spanish, English, and Russian in the cafés. It is not a place where a single nationality dominates.

What restaurants are there in Altea?

Altea has surprisingly good food for a town of 24,000 inhabitants. Two restaurants have Michelin recognition and there are a dozen or so other places maintaining a high standard. The food is shaped by the Mediterranean: fish, seafood, rice dishes, and local vegetables.

Notable restaurants

• Oustau de Altea: Creative gastronomy in a manor-like building in the old town. Michelin-recognised since 2021. Price range 50–80 euros per person.
• Brasería Ca Joan: Known for high-quality grilled meat with ingredients from various sources. Michelin-recognised.
• Tossal d'Altea: Highly rated (9.3 on TheFork) with Mediterranean-inspired dishes and views.
• Cap Negret: Mediterranean food with signature touches — try the lobster rice and salt-baked sea bass.
• Club Náutico Marina Greenwich: Popular restaurant at the harbour with fish and seafood.

Typical local dishes

Altea's gastronomy is built on the same traditions as the rest of Marina Baixa:

• Arrós a banda: Fish rice cooked in fish stock — the region's signature dish
• Olleta alicantina: Vegetable stew with beans and meat
• Espencat: Grilled pepper and aubergine with salted cod
• Borreta de peix: Fish stew with potatoes and saffron

Compared with Benidorm, the restaurant offering is smaller but more focused on quality and local ingredients. Prices in the old town are reasonable for the level — a three-course lunch costs 15–25 euros at most places.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Altea?

Advantages

• Casco antiguo with protected status, no high-rises, no mass tourism
• University art faculty, galleries, and cultural life year-round
• Michelin-recognised restaurants (Oustau de Altea and Ca Joan)
• 6 kilometres of coastline with clean water and blue-flag beaches
• TRAM tram to Benidorm and Alicante
• Cosmopolitan but still Spanish in character
• Almost 2,900 hours of sunshine per year, mild winters

Disadvantages

• 30–50 percent more expensive than La Nucía and 20 percent more expensive than Alfaz del Pi
• No wide sandy beaches. Bring water shoes. Nearest sandy beach: Albir (7 min) or Benidorm (15 min)
• Minimal parking in the old town. You need a private garage if you live in the casco antiguo
• The old town gets crowded and touristy from June to August
• Altea closes early. Nightlife is in Benidorm
• The casco antiguo is unsuitable for people with mobility issues — steps and cobblestones everywhere
• 85–90 percent of the market is resale and renovation requirements can be substantial

How does Altea compare with the neighbouring towns?

Altea vs Benidorm

Benidorm is a big city by the sea: skyscrapers, wide sandy beaches, 300 restaurants, and a full-service hospital. Prices are on average 15–25 percent lower. Benidorm suits those who want sandy beaches, variety, and an urban buzz. Altea suits those who want charm and culture. Many buyers solve the dilemma by living in La Nucía or Alfaz del Pi, midway between the two.

Altea vs Calpe

Calpe shares the northern Costa Blanca character with Altea but has a completely different profile. The Peñón de Ifach rock dominates and the beaches are sandy. Prices are 10–15 percent lower. Calpe has more package tourists and a more touristy character. If you prioritise sandy beaches and lower prices over an old town and restaurant scene, Calpe is the better option.

Altea vs La Nucía

La Nucía is 10 kilometres inland and costs 30–40 percent less. You get a larger plot, world-class sports facilities (Ciudad Deportiva Camilo Cano), and mountain views. In return you lose the coast, the charm, and the cultural life. La Nucía is the smart choice if budget is the priority. Altea is the choice if you are unwilling to compromise on atmosphere.

Altea vs Benissa

Benissa offers similar medieval charm in its pueblo section, with lower prices (2,200–3,100 euros per square metre). Benissa's coast has hidden coves with crystal-clear water. Altea wins on restaurant offering, university life, and public transport. Benissa wins on peace, authenticity, and lower prices.

Frequently asked questions about Altea

Last updated: April 2026. Prices and regulations may change — contact us for current information.