Old Town of Altea

Cobblestone streets, blue domes, and views that look like they are from a painting, but in real life—shopkeepers, artists, and open doors where the breeze flows in.

The small town of Altea is filled with contrasts. From its highest point, you can enjoy a panoramic view that frames the sea while also seeing how Altea is surrounded by mountains. This is one of the reasons why its Old Town is so special and one of the main attractions that increasingly draws more visitors. The first thing that will catch your curiosity are its white houses and its blue dome that crowns the highest point. They are very recognizable views! We recommend starting your visit along the Paseo Marítimo. After walking along it, head towards the Ayuntamiento, located in the heart of Altea. It is situated in a square next to a small church that is rich in history, as it was once an old convent. Here is the most modern part of the town, with shops and the municipal market. Once you have explored this area, begin your ascent to the Old Town. To start the climb, you can choose to follow the Pont de Mocau or the Costera Mestre de la Música, or opt to climb the stairs between the whitewashed houses up to the Mirador de la Glorieta. From there, you can reach the Plaza de la Iglesia, passing first through the Plaça de L'Aigua, where the ruins of an ancient mid-medieval cistern are located. One of the attractions of this place is that during the summer months, it transforms into a venue for numerous concerts. If you choose to go up via the Pont de Moncao, you will see the Bellaguarda neighborhood on your right. It is a place with a lot of charm. It is a small gem that, however, remains relatively unknown to tourists. There, you will find an old reconstructed watchtower. You will also discover part of the ancient wall. You will fall in love with the captivating beauty of the region. It is an ideal place for artists and artisans to develop their work, always with an incredible atmosphere. In fact, it’s common to find artisans of all kinds working at street level or at the stalls you will find there. Walking through all the streets of the Old Town will take no more than a day. But if you want to enjoy every corner of Altea and not just its Old Town, securing a vacation rental nearby is the best option for you to enjoy the town as you wish. At your own pace.