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Altea offers an amazing mix of traditional activities and sights that make it stand out from other Spanish towns.
I’ve put together this detailed guide to the best things to do in Altea, with a mix of free activities and experiences that are worth paying for. I’ll keep adding to this list as new things pop up.
1. Explore the old town
The old town of Altea is a maze of narrow streets lined with white houses and blue-domed buildings. The cobbled paths wind up the hill, leading you past local craft shops, small bars, and restaurants.
I love walking through these streets early evening when the sun starts to set – the light hitting the white buildings creates such amazing views!
The main square up here, Plaza de la Iglesia, is where you’ll find the Church of Our Lady of Consolation – it’s absolutely stunning with its blue and white tiled domes that you can spot from miles away.
2. Visit the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo (Church of Our Lady of Consolation)
You’ll spot this striking blue-domed church from almost anywhere in Altea. It sits at the highest point of the old town, and its blue and white tiles are simply stunning.
The church square is surrounded by restaurants where you can sit outside and take in the views of the Mediterranean Sea below. The best time to visit is just before sunset when the tiles catch the golden light.
3. Visit Altea’s beaches
There are many amazing beaches in Altea and the surrounding area to visit.
Its main beach, Playa de la Roda, runs along the town’s seafront promenade. It’s a mix of sand and pebbles, which means it’s usually less crowded than the sandy beaches in nearby towns.
If you prefer somewhere quieter, head to Cap Negret beach – it’s a local favourite and perfect for swimming in crystal-clear waters.
4. Visit Althaia brewery
If you’re after a different type of day out in Altea, the Althaia brewery tour might be the perfect choice. You’ll spend 2 hours seeing how they make their local craft beers in their factory.
The tour starts with a walk around the brewery where they’ll show you all the ingredients that go into making their beers, and how each one is made. You’ll learn what makes their craft beers unique (and delicious) from the big brands you might be used to.
After the tour, you’ll head to their tap room which has a lovely terrace looking over the brewery. Here’s where the fun really starts – you’ll try 4 different beers straight from their barrels. Each beer comes paired with local cheese and sausages, served with fresh artisan bread. For something sweet, they finish with a special pairing of their black beer with chocolate and dulce de leche alfajor.
The brewers really know their stuff and make it a fun experience – I’ve taken friends who don’t usually drink beer and they’ve loved it just as much as the beer fans!
5. Visit the local market
The Tuesday market is brilliant – it takes over the streets near the harbour. You’ll find everything from fresh fruit to local crafts. In the evening, the craft market in the old town is perfect for finding unique souvenirs.
6. Beaches and coves boat trip with lunch
You’ll spend the day visiting different beaches and coves that are hard to reach by land.
They serve lunch on board, and you get plenty of time for swimming and snorkelling. The local skippers know all the best spots along the coast.
7. Visit the artists’ studios
Altea is full of artists and craftspeople. Many have workshops in the old town where you can watch them work and buy unique pieces. It’s worth taking time to peek into the little galleries and studios as you walk around.
Here are my recommendations:
My favourite is Aurum Altea. Located in the centre of Altea, with curated paintings, sculptures, photographs and more. There are even workshops here such as the popular Paint, Sup & Create session.
8. Golfing at Don Cayo
If you’re looking to play golf in Altea, you’ve got to try the local Don Cayo Golf Club. The course sits on the slopes of Sierra Bernia, giving you amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea while you play.
This 9-hole course (which you can play as 18) offers some really interesting challenges. The elevation changes make club selection crucial, and each hole gives you something different to think about. The 3rd hole shows off brilliant views of Altea’s old town, while the 5th is a tricky par 3 with a big drop. The 7th hole is my favourite – they call it “The Postcard Hole” because of its stunning Sierra Bernia backdrop.
9. Morro de Toix Kayak Excursion
I’ve done the Morro de Toix kayaking trip back in summer 2023 – it really is a fantastic experience. You paddle along dramatic cliffs, finding hidden caves and spots for swimming.
The tour guides are great at spotting marine life, and they’ll take you to the best snorkelling spots. This is perfect for beginners and experienced kayakers alike.
10. Go bungee jumping in El Mascarat canyon
This one is for the thrill-seekers. You can bungee jump from the bridge between Altea and Calpe, which sits 60 metres above the narrow canyon below!
What makes this jump even more memorable is that it’s actually two rides in one. First, you’ll experience a 40-metre free fall, followed by a pendulum swing that sends you flying through the canyon. The feeling is unreal!
The location itself is amazing too. You’re jumping between two bridges – one modern and one historical – with the Mediterranean Sea in the background. The canyon walls tower around you, making the whole experience even more dramatic.
The instructors are brilliant and make sure you feel safe throughout the whole experience. If you’ve ever thought about trying bungee jumping, this is the perfect spot to do it!
11. El Mascarat ravine hike
If you fancy seeing the same incredible canyon as the bungee jumpers, but prefer keeping your feet closer to the ground, hiking the Mascarat ravine will be the better choice!
The route takes you through about 900 metres of canyon, where you’ll find yourself walking between walls that sometimes squeeze close together, then open up into wider spaces. The bridges you can spot above you are the same ones used for the bungee jumping – but this time you’re seeing them from below!
This isn’t just a simple walk though – you’ll need to tackle some fun challenges along the way. There are sections where you’ll abseil down rock faces and use handrails to help you along trickier bits. It’s all perfectly safe with proper equipment and guides.
One tip – try to pick a dry day for this one. After rain, the route gets much more challenging as water collects in the canyon. On a good day though, it’s a brilliant way to see one of the most impressive natural spots near Altea!
12. Party on a Catamaran
The catamaran trip is perfect in the summer for groups, whether you’re celebrating a hen do, stag do, or just want a brilliant day out with friends.
You’ll start with a welcome drink as soon as you get on board, then the DJ kicks off and gets the party started. There’s loads of space to dance, and the front nets are brilliant for sunbathing (and getting those perfect group photos).
The boat also stops in a lovely spot along the Altea coast where you can jump in for a swim.
It’s one of the liveliest boat trips you can do from Altea – if you’re after a party atmosphere with incredible sea views, this is the one to book!
13. Go on an organised Valencia city trip
You can take a day trip to Valencia from Altea – it’s well worth it! There’s a tour whcih picks up from Altea to take you on a cultural day out.
14. Quad bike through Altea’s river trails
You’ll see Valencia’s main sights and have time to try the local food. It’s a great way to see one of Spain’s most impressive cities without having to sort out transport yourself.
*You need is an EU driving licence to join in.
This is such a fun way to see a completely different side of Altea! Instead of the usual beaches and old town, you’ll be zooming through the wild riverside tracks that most tourists never find.
The quad bikes are automatic so they’re really easy to handle, even if you’ve never driven one before. You’ll splash through puddles, take on bumpy trails, and wind through what locals call Altea’s ‘jungle’ – it’s properly off-road and brilliant fun!
The guides are great at matching the route to your experience level. They’ll give you photos and videos of your adventure afterwards. If it’s your first time, they’ll take things steady and help you get confident in driving.
15. Take the Guadalest and Algar Waterfalls tour
There’s a combined tour takes you to two of my very favourite spots near Altea. You’ll see the impressive castle village of Guadalest perched on its rock, then cool off after at the natural pools of Algar Waterfalls.
Your coach picks you up and takes you through the mountains to Guadalest – a medieval village that sits right on top of a mountain.
You’ll get about 2-3 hours to wander around Guadalest (longer in June and September). The village is amazing – there’s a castle perched on the rocks, and some really interesting museums to check out. It’s Spain’s second most visited village, and when you see the views, you’ll understand why!
After Guadalest, you’ll head to the Algar Waterfalls, which is like nature’s own water park. There are different levels of pools where you can swim, and even a diving area if you’re feeling brave. The mountain water is really refreshing, especially on hot summer days.
A few tips if you’re planning this trip:
- Bring proper shoes (not flip-flops) as the rocks can be slippery
- You’ll need to be fairly fit as there’s quite a bit of walking and steps
- Take your swimming gear but remember you can’t bring food into the falls area
- There’s a separate picnic area, or you can try the local restaurants
- In summer it gets busy, so be ready for crowds
- Sometimes they close the swimming if the water’s too high, but you can still visit
The coach brings you back to Altea at the end of the day. It’s a brilliant way to see two of the Costa Blanca’s more scenic spots without having to sort out transport yourself!
16. Mountain walks and guided hikes
Want to see a different side of Altea? The mountains around the town offer some of the most impressive walking routes I’ve found in Spain. Alicante is actually Spain’s second most mountainous province, and the trails near Altea show off some of its best bits.
You can join guided walks that take you through dramatic gorges, past orange and almond groves, and up to viewpoints that’ll make your jaw drop. The local guides run different levels of walks:
- Easy routes like the Guadalest Reservoir Circuit – perfect if you want a gentle day out
- Moderate hikes up Serra Bernia or Puig Campana – a bit more challenging but worth it for the views
- Proper mountain climbs up Aitana for experienced walkers
What’s brilliant the above tour group is that everything’s sorted for you – they’ll pick you up from Altea, provide walking poles, water, and even pack you a lunch for the longer walks. The guides know these mountains inside out and make sure everyone’s comfortable with the pace.
I’d definitely recommend booking a guided walk if you want to find the best mountain spots without worrying about route finding. Plus, it’s a great way to learn about the local area while you walk!
