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I’ve put together my favourite day trips you can take from Altea – perfect if you want to see more of what this stunning part of the Costa Blanca has to offer during your stay!
If you’re staying in this beautiful white-washed town with its famous blue-domed Altea church, you’re perfectly positioned to visit some incredible nearby destinations. From historic cities to natural wonders, there are tons of amazing places you can reach within an hour’s drive of Altea.
I’ve included the most accessible towns and cities to visit, plus some brilliant activities and experiences to try while you’re there.
Calpe
Drive time from Altea: 15 minutes south
Calpe is your closest neighbour and home to one of Spain’s most recognisable landmarks – the massive limestone rock of Penon de Ifach. This towering 332-metre high rock formation rises dramatically from the sea and can be seen for miles around.
You can reach Calpe by car in just 15 minutes, but there’s also a lovely Altea boat trip that runs from Altea port directly to Calpe. The 1 hour crossing gives you stunning views of the coastline and the Penon from the sea – it’s a beautiful way to start your day trip!
You can book your boat tickets from Altea to Calpe below:
What makes Calpe special:
- The Penon de Ifach hike offers incredible views across the Mediterranean (though it’s quite challenging!)
- Arenal-Bol beach is one of the finest sandy beaches on the Costa Blanca
- The old town has lovely narrow streets and traditional Spanish squares
- The Calpe salt flats attract flamingos and other wildlife throughout the year
My top tip: If you’re not up for climbing the Penon, you can still get fantastic photos from the base. The Saturday market in the old town is brilliant for fresh produce and local crafts.
Benidorm
Drive time from Altea: 20 minutes north
Despite its reputation as a British holiday hotspot, Benidorm has some genuinely impressive attractions that make it worth a visit from Altea.
What might surprise you about Benidorm:
- The Benidorm old town balcón del Mediterráneo offers stunning views where the two main beaches meet
- Levante and Poniente beaches are genuinely beautiful – wide, sandy stretches with crystal clear water
- Terra Mítica theme park provides thrilling rides and shows based on ancient Mediterranean civilisations
- The Benidorm Wednesday market is fantastic for everything from fresh fruit to handmade souvenirs
If you’re travelling with family, Aqualandia water park has some of Europe’s biggest slides, while Terra Natura zoo houses over 1,500 animals across themed zones.
For evening entertainment, Benidorm Palace puts on spectacular shows with dancers, singers and acrobats – think Spanish Vegas with dinner included if you want to make a special night of it.
Guadalest
Drive time from Altea: 30 minutes inland
This tiny mountain village is one of Spain’s most visited towns, and once you see it, you’ll understand why. Perched on a rocky outcrop in the mountains, Guadalest feels like something from a fairy tale.
If you prefer a guided experience or don’t have a car, you can book the Guadalest & Algar Waterfalls Tour which combines both Guadalest and the stunning Algar Waterfalls in one day. They pick you up from Altea and drop you off so you don’t have to worry about travel – and just enjoy the experience!
You can book your tickets from €32 for a Guadalest and Algar Waterfalls tour below:
What makes Guadalest magical:
- The castle ruins offer breathtaking views across the turquoise reservoir below
- The village has been beautifully preserved with traditional stone houses
- Several quirky museums including the Museum of Torture
- The drive itself through orange groves and mountain scenery is stunning
I’d recommend visiting early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and get the best light for photos. The walk up to the castle is steep but manageable, and those views are absolutely worth it.
Villajoyosa
Drive time from Altea: 25 minutes south
Known as “The Joyful Town,” Villajoyosa is famous for its row of colourful houses along the seafront. These bright buildings weren’t just painted for show – they helped fishermen spot their homes from the sea!
What I love about Villajoyosa:
- The colourful houses create one of the most photographed streets in Spain
- The Valor Chocolate Museum tells the story of the town’s chocolate-making tradition (with tastings!)
- The beaches are less crowded than Benidorm but just as beautiful
- The fish market in late afternoon shows the town’s working fishing heritage
My favourite time to visit is early evening when the light makes those coloured houses look even more stunning. The fish auction at 5pm on weekdays is quite a spectacle if you’re interested in local life.
Javea
Drive time from Altea: 35 minutes northeast
Javea (or Xàbia) is one of the Costa Blanca’s most upmarket resort towns, with three distinct areas: the old town, the port, and the beach area of Arenal.
What makes Javea special:
- Arenal beach is a beautiful sandy bay perfect for families
- The Montgó Natural Park offers excellent hiking with sea views
- The old town Thursday market is one of the best in the region
- Cabo de la Nao lighthouse provides spectacular viewpoints
The Sunday market at the port is fantastic for fresh produce and local specialities. If you fancy some exercise, the walk up Montgó mountain takes about 3 hours return and offers incredible views across to Ibiza on clear days.
Denia
Drive time from Altea: 45 minutes north
Denia is a proper working Spanish town with a beautiful old quarter, excellent restaurants, and some lovely beaches. It’s also the departure point for ferries from Denia to Ibiza if you fancy a longer adventure!
Best bits of Denia:
- Denia castle offers great views across the town and sea
- Las Rotas rocky coastline is perfect for snorkelling
- The town centre has excellent tapas bars and restaurants
- The Denia marina area comes alive in the evenings
My top tip: Try to visit during one of Denia’s famous gastronomy weeks when restaurants create special menus featuring local ingredients. The prawns here are particularly famous throughout Spain.
Alicante
Drive time from Altea: 50 minutes south
The provincial capital offers a perfect mix of history, culture, and modern Spanish city life. Much more than just an airport city stop, Alicante has a beautiful old quarter and an impressive hilltop castle worth visiting.
What makes Alicante worth visiting:
- Santa Barbara Castle provides amazing views across the city and Mediterranean
- The Explanada de España is a stunning palm-lined promenade with a beautiful marble mosaic floor
- The old quarter (Barrio de Santa Cruz) has narrow streets filled with colourful houses
- The MARQ archaeological museum showcases finds from across the region
I love visiting in early evening when locals take their traditional paseo along the marina and Explanada. Join them for a stroll, then have dinner at one of the restaurants on Calle Castaños before finishing with ice cream on the promenade.
Tabarca Island
Drive time + boat from Altea: 1 hour 15 minutes total
Spain’s smallest inhabited island, Tabarca Island makes for a fantastic day trip, though you’ll need to drive to Santa Pola first to catch the boat (about 45 minutes from Altea, then 30 minutes crossing).
What makes Tabarca special:
- It’s a marine reserve with incredibly clear waters perfect for snorkelling
- The walled old town has fascinating history as a former pirate stronghold
- You can walk around the entire island in about an hour
- The restaurants specialise in caldero, a traditional fish and rice stew
The boats run regularly during summer months. Book your crossing online to guarantee your spot, particularly during peak season.
Elche
Drive time from Altea: 1 hour south
Famous for having Europe’s largest palm grove with over 200,000 palm trees, Elche is a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels completely different from anywhere else in Spain.
What makes Elche unique:
- Walking through the Palmeral feels like being transported to North Africa
- The Huerto del Cura garden features the famous Imperial Palm
- The blue-domed Basilica hosts the medieval Mystery Play each August
- The Archaeological Museum displays finds from ancient Iberian settlements
My favourite time to visit is late afternoon when the light filtering through the palm trees creates amazing patterns. Sit in one of the palm gardens with a cold drink and soak up this extraordinary atmosphere.
I hope these suggestions give you plenty of ideas for day trips during your stay in Altea. This part of the Costa Blanca has so much variety – from mountain villages to island adventures – and most of these destinations are just a short drive from your base!
