Altea

Altea is one of the best places to visit on the Costa Blanca. It has retained it’s beauty and charm unlike many other former fishing villages. Altea is located south of Calpe and about 15 kilometres north of Benidorm. This makes it a great location to live or visit.Altea has a quiet charm yet is close to bigger more vibrant towns with good shopping and nightlife. Other towns nearby are La Nucia, Polop, Callosa d’En Sarria, Albir and Alfaz del Pi. Altea has a population of 20,000 but in the summer tourist season this swells to 50,000. The name Altea comes from the Greek: Altahia (I heal) and from the river Algar (the river of the health). Numerous groups of people settled in Altea, including the Iberians, Greeks, Romans and Moslems. Altea prospered due to it’s strategic importance because the city lies in the vicinity of the mouth of the river Algar. Altea harbour was perfect for supplying the sailors and fisherman with fresh drinking water. Altea is famous for the landmark church of Nuestra Senora del Consuelo or Virgen del Consuelo with its fantastic looking blue roof. This is set up on a hill and can be seen for miles around. The old town part of Altea is set on a steep hillside and the streets are littered with small designer shops and is popular with artists. Amongst the narrow streets with their scenic white houses, orange trees and geraniums you’ll find painters, potters and many other traditional craftsmen’s studios. There is a real authentic Spanish feel to Altea town, often missing from others on the coast.