Altea: art, old town and Alicante's northern coast

There are towns you visit and towns you feel. Altea belongs to the second kind. From the moment you climb its cobblestone lanes towards the blue-domed church, something shifts in the rhythm. Your pace slows, your gaze lingers on a bougainvillea tumbling over a whitewashed wall, the scent of rosemary and salt air mingles with freshly brewed coffee from a hidden terrace. It is no accident that for decades artists have chosen this place as a creative refuge: Altea has something that cannot be manufactured. It is called soul.

Where it is

Altea sits on the northern coast of Alicante province, halfway between Benidorm (10 km south) and Calpe (12 km north), in the Marina Baixa region. It occupies a privileged spot on the northern Costa Blanca, sheltered by the Sierra de Bernia behind and open to the Mediterranean in front. The AP-7 motorway connects Altea to Alicante city in about 50 minutes, and Alicante-Elche airport is just over 60 km away. For those who prefer public transport, TRAM Line 9 links Altea with Benidorm to the south and Denia to the north, with a station just minutes from the old town.

Why choose Altea

Altea is not just another coastal town. It is a conscious choice. While other municipalities along the Alicante coast embraced high-rise construction and mass tourism, Altea chose to protect its architectural heritage and cultivate its own cultural identity. From the late 1950s, painters, sculptors and musicians from across Europe began settling here, and that spirit never left. Today it coexists with a gastronomic scene that rivals much larger cities, with the Fine Arts campus of the Universidad Miguel Hernandez in the Bellaguarda district, and with a quality of life that blends the best of a Mediterranean village with the amenities of a well-connected town. The result is a place where you can live year-round without missing a thing.

What the town is like

Old town

Altea's old town is, without exaggeration, one of the most photogenic in Mediterranean Spain. Perched on a hill above the sea, its narrow cobblestone streets wind between whitewashed houses with wooden doors, geranium pots and wrought-iron balconies. The crowning point is the church of Nuestra Senora del Consuelo, whose domes clad in blue and white glazed ceramic tiles have become the most recognisable image on the entire Costa Blanca. Around the church square, art galleries, ceramic workshops, small boutiques and terrace restaurants overlook the sea. There are no chain shops: everything is local, artisanal, authentic. The old town is also where the artistic community remains alive — temporary exhibitions, open studios and a creative atmosphere that permeates every corner.

The coast

Altea's coastline combines pebble beaches — typical of this stretch of the Costa Blanca — with more sheltered coves and a promenade connecting the marina with Playa de la Roda and Playa de Cap Negret. The port is a living space: fishing boats, seafood restaurants and terraces where you can watch the sunset with the silhouette of the Penon de Ifach in the background. The seafront promenade is the social hub of lower Altea: families, cyclists, runners and couples strolling at dusk compose a scene that repeats every day of the year thanks to more than 300 days of sunshine annually.

Residential estates

Beyond the town centre, Altea is home to some of the most exclusive residential developments on the northern Costa Blanca:

• Altea Hills: the benchmark for luxury living in the area. Set on the slopes of the Sierra de Bernia, it offers Mediterranean-style villas with sea views, 24-hour security, a nearby golf club and the future ZEM Retreat wellness hotel complex. Prices in Altea Hills range between 4 200 and 5 500 euros/m2 for high-end villas.
• Sierra Altea: quieter and more oriented towards permanent residents, it offers villas and plots with mountain and sea views at prices somewhat more accessible than Altea Hills.
• Don Cayo / Altea Golf: linked to the golf course, it combines residential life with a sporting lifestyle through villas and townhouses in a green, private setting.

Prices

Altea is one of the most expensive towns on the northern Costa Blanca, and for good reason: supply is limited, demand is consistent and the quality of the surroundings cannot be easily replicated. The latest figures (2025-2026) place the market as follows:

• Resale housing (average): between 3 200 and 3 700 euros/m2, with an average around 3 500 euros/m2. This represents an increase of approximately 10 % year on year.
• New builds: between 4 500 and 7 000 euros/m2, depending on location, views and finishes.
• Altea Hills and premium estates: between 4 200 and 5 500 euros/m2 for villas. Properties with panoramic sea views can exceed 6 000 euros/m2.
• Apartments in the town centre: between 2 800 and 3 500 euros/m2 for property in good condition.

For up-to-date pricing data, check the Idealista portal for Altea.

Services

• Transport: AP-7 motorway (Alicante in 50 min, Valencia in 90 min), TRAM Line 9 (Benidorm-Denia), intercity buses and taxis.
• Healthcare: public health centre in Altea, reference hospital in Benidorm (Hospital de la Marina Baixa, 10 min) and private clinics in the area.
• Education: public and semi-private schools, the Sierra Bernia School international college nearby, and the UMH (Universidad Miguel Hernandez) campus with the Faculty of Fine Arts.
• Shopping: municipal market, supermarkets (Mercadona, Consum, Aldi), local shops in the centre and shopping centres in Benidorm ten minutes away.
• Gastronomy: traditional seafood restaurants (rice dishes, caldero, fideua), creative cuisine and international options. The old town concentrates a high-level dining offer.
• Leisure: marina, golf club (Altea Club de Golf), hiking trails through the Sierra de Bernia, water sports and a cultural calendar of exhibitions, concerts and artisan markets.

Who is Altea for?

• Quality-of-life buyers: couples and families seeking a beautiful, peaceful setting with its own identity, without sacrificing amenities or coastal connectivity.
• European retirees: Altea has one of the most established international resident communities on the northern Costa Blanca. Scandinavians, French, Belgians and British have been choosing this town for decades for its climate, beauty and pace of life.
• Artists and creative professionals: Altea's artistic tradition, combined with the university presence, makes it an active cultural hub and an inspiring place to work.
• Premium holiday rental investors: short-term rental demand in Altea is strong with a high average ticket, especially for properties with sea views or near the old town.
• High-end second-home buyers: villas in Altea Hills or the sierra for enjoying the Costa Blanca without the bustle of Benidorm, just ten minutes away.

Altea is not for those seeking intense nightlife or large shopping centres. It is for those who understand that true luxury lies in strolling through an old town where every corner is a work of art, dining by the harbour with the sound of the sea, and waking to the silhouette of the Sierra de Bernia framed in the window.

If you are thinking of moving to or investing in Altea, explore our available properties or contact us for a personalised consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Is Altea a good place to live year-round?

Yes. Unlike more seasonally tourist-oriented towns, Altea maintains an active life throughout all twelve months thanks to its permanent resident community, comprehensive services and cultural offerings. Winter is mild (rarely below 10 degrees Celsius) and spring and autumn are arguably the best times of the year.

What are the beaches like in Altea?

Altea's beaches are mainly pebble, which makes them less crowded than the fine-sand beaches nearby. The water is clean and crystalline. If you prefer sand, Benidorm's beaches are ten minutes away by car or TRAM.

Are there international schools nearby?

Yes. Sierra Bernia School offers international education near Altea. There are also other international schools in Alfas del Pi and the Benidorm-La Nucia area, all within fifteen minutes.

How much does it cost to rent a property in Altea?

A two-bedroom apartment in the town centre rents for between 800 and 1 200 euros per month on a long-term basis. Villas in premium estates can exceed 2 000 euros per month. In high season, weekly holiday rental can reach 1 500 to 3 000 euros depending on the property.

Is Altea Hills worth it as an investment?

Altea Hills is one of the most sought-after residential developments on the northern Costa Blanca. Its security, exclusivity and sea views make it a solid investment for both personal use and high-end holiday rental. Appreciation has been consistent in recent years.