In Altea there are kilometres of beaches perfectly for a wonderful beach day. The three best known are: Playa de la Roda; this is the largest beach and loved by tourists.
Here the Blue Flag rules, which means that the beach is safe and clean. There are also always lifeguards present during the season. Playa de Cap Blanche is located further south and is also an easily accessible beach. Playa de Cap Negret is the beach for water sports enthusiasts; you can sail, paddle, windsurf and even rent a jet ski here.
Altea
Markets in Altea
On a Tuesday in Altea? Then a visit to the street market in Calle Filarmanica is a good idea! The market is open from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and offers a lot of choice of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers etc. The market is very popular with the locals, but tourists and residents of surrounding villages also find this market. So make sure you are on time to get a parking space.
The promenade and restaurants
Along the beaches of Altea borders a promenade whose is almost three kilometres long. Like most villages on the Spanish coast, there are many terraces, bars and restaurants here. In the evening there is a cosy atmosphere. Often there is life music and an atmospheric bustle. In the many restaurants you can get the most delicious local freshly caught fish dishes.
The Old Town
A visit to Altea should not be missed when you stay at Guesthouse Villa Altea. Take a lovely walk through the Casco Antiguo, the old, picturesque part with cobbled streets and get lost in the labyrinth of streets. You can admire architecture that dates from the period when Spain was occupied by the Moors. The characteristic whitewashed houses and the blue and white dome of the church on the famous Plaza Iglesia catapult you back to the Moorish past. Don’t forget to enter the church, because the impressive stained glass windows and baroque decorative elements are well worth a visit!
The old town is best explored on foot. You can easily spend half a day here, because it is enjoyable to stop regularly at the various miradores (viewpoints) when you go up and enjoy the spectacular views of the coastline. Altea’s old town is a mix of lively cafes, craft shops, jewellers, potters and art galleries.
Railway station
In Altea you will also find a small train station. You can take a train to the neighbouring municipalities of Dénia, Benidorm or Alicante to further discover the Costa Blanca.
Villages and towns
GUADALEST
Until 2002, El Castell de Guadalest was the name of this small mountain village in the province of Alicante. Guadalest is located on a mountain and is a tourist attraction. The huge blue reservoir can be seen from the beautiful village. The village is very well visited in the summer, so it can be busy.
HUERTO DEL CURA
In the beautiful town of Elche (Elx) you will find a botanical garden and is certainly the most beautiful and the best of its kind. And the most famous tree in this palm park is the Imperial Palm. This palm is named after the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sissi. In 1894 she visited the park.
IFACH PENON
The Penon d’Ifac Natural Park is a natural park in Calpe, the Penon d’Ifac is a huge limestone rock that emerges from the sea and is linked to shore by rock debris. It is home to numerous rare plants, including a number of native species and more than 300 animal species, and a breeding ground for colonies of seabirds and other birds. The rock rises to 332 meters high and is a striking visual feature of the Mediterranean coastline.
CALPE
Calpe was originally a fishing village that has grown over the years into a lively seaside resort and one of the popular tourist destinations on the Costa Blanca. Take a nice walk on the white sandy beaches with a view of the clear blue water. Calpe’s boulevard is surrounded by palm trees, cozy shops and numerous resort hotels. The boulevard is a nice place to walk, especially in the evening. While you enjoy a beautiful sunset, you can maybe catch a live music concert which provide an extra nice atmosphere. And when you are done strolling you can enjoy one of the terraces of the many lovely restaurants for a nice dinner.
JALON
Jalon is a beautiful town that is visited all year round because of its famous wine bodegas, restaurants, handicraft shops and famous sweets and desserts. On saturday mornings is the great Jalon-markt. This flea market of Jalon takes place every week on Saturdays. There are around 200 to 300 market stalls with a large and varied range. The market starts around 8:00 am and lasts until about 2:00 pm.
BENACANTIL CASTELLA SANTA BARBARA
Next to the city of Alicante you will find mount Benacantil. On this mountain, with a height of 166 meters, you will find the castle of Santa Barbara. From here you have a beautiful view over the city of Alicante and the Mediterranean Sea. The castle of Santa Barbara was largely built in the 16th century. But construction would have started in the 9th century. From 1963 the castle can also be visited.
PROVINCIAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM ALICANTE
The Archaeological Museum of Alicante is an archaeological museum in the Spanish city of Alicante. The museum was opened in 1932 by Spanish President Niceto Alcala Zamora. In 2000, the museum moved to its current location in an old hospital. Thanks to the move and a large-scale restoration, it was named European Museum of the Year in 2004.
Animal parks
RIVER SAFARI ELCHE
This is perhaps one of the most famous animal parks on the Costa Blanca. In this well-kept park, particular attention is paid to conservation and education. The park holds great value in to a well-kept place to live for the animals
SAFARI AITANA
How nice is it to be able to observe the animals in their natural environment? See their habits, their natural behavior and relationships with each other in the beautiful park Safari Aitana. The park is located in Sierra de Aitana, in the municipality of Penà guila, and has more than 1,500,000 m2. This park is a reserve for wildlife from all over the world and can be visited by car as a true African safari.
MUNDOMAR
Who doesn’t love dolphins? This magical animal enchants young and old and swimming with dolphins will undoubtedly be the most common activity on the bucket list worldwide. Mundo Mar can make all these dreams come true. Through underwater view you can admire the beautiful dolphins and sea lions under water and it is also possible to feed penguins. But in addition to dolphins, you will also find other fantastic animals in this marine animal park. For example, admire the sea lions, tropical birds, the ancient giant turtles, the pinquins in their tuxedos and dance with the flamingos.
LAND NATURE
In this zoo you can admire many different animal species and plants in a replica of their natural environment. Here you will not find cages, but fences that do not immediately stand out. Admire the strong elephants, the impressive birds of prey, the royal tigers and lions. Terra Natura is divided into several parts, each named after a continent: Asia, Pangea, America and Europe.
L’OCEANOGRAPHIC
In addition to the animal parks such as safari parks and zoos, there are also beautiful aquariums on the Costa Blanca. If you are curious about the underwater world, you should definitely visit L’Oceanografic. This is the largest aquarium in Europe and is located in Valencia. Perfect to combine with a city trip to this beautiful city. In this aquarium you can marvel at more than 500 different animal species. Do not only expect the smaller fish species but also sharks and dolphins are present here.
Activities
The Algar waterfalls
Discover the Algar waterfalls in the beautiful Les Fonts de l’Algar nature reserve. Take a dip in the natural pools, admire the waterfalls and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. A very suitable day activity for the whole family!
TERRA MITICA THEME PARK, BENIDORM
Terra Mitica is an amusement park in Benidorm. The park is divided into five themes. The variety of wild roller coasters and the quieter attractions makes the theme park suitable for all age categories
AQUA NATURA WATER PARK, BENIDORM
The 40,000 m² water park is designed for anyone who wants to have a spectacular day full of water fun. The park consists of a wave pool, water slides, a children’s pool and a beach area. The open field of view allows parents to relax in peace, while the children have fun in the water.
AQUALANDIA BENIDORM
With no less than 15 water attractions, Europe’s highest water slide and Europe’s highest capsule water slide, Aqualandia offers a fun day out for the whole family. Especially for older children very nice! please note that the park is open from June to September.
THE TRAIN TO DENIA
A nice day trip from Alicante is with the bogey train to Denia. The train takes you along the coast and inland. Along the way you will pass several places such as Benidorm, Altea and Calpe. Nice for families who want to do some sightseeing during their holiday. This can be combined with a visit to the Toy Museum in Denia.
CHOCOLADEFABRIEK, VILLAJOYOSA
One of the best chocolatiers can be found in the province of Alicante. A special day trip is a visit to the Valor museum in Villajoyosa. During a visit to the chocolate museum you will learn everything about the history of this delicious chocolate.
HORSE RIDING IN THE COSTA BLANCA
For horse lovers, discovering the Costa Blanca by horse is a wonderful activity. There are countless horse riding opportunities in Spain for all levels. For example, you can ride along the beach, ride in nature or enjoy pony riding during a night trip.
Hidden beaches
The Costa Blanca, or ‘white coast’, has more than 200 kilometers of coastline. But actually the white coast is mainly blue: the region has the largest number of blue flags in Europe. This recognition indicates the quality of water, sand and facilities. Many connoisseurs consider the beaches of the Costa Blanca to be the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. In any case, there is plenty of choice. The Costa Blanca has more than 170 beaches. Some consist of sand, others of pebbles. Some are miles long, others are hidden in secret coves, behind natural sand dunes or under impressive cliffs.
CALA GRANADELLA IN JÃVEA
An inlet on the rocks surrounded by a unique natural landscape. The crystal clear water and the seagrass fields make it a paradise for lovers of diving and snorkeling. There is a fantastic hiking trail that starts at the gorge that leads to Cala Granadella.
LA CALETA VILLAJOYOSA
A small pebble beach that is washed by clear water. It stands out for the transparency of the wáter and for its location. It is nestled between cliffs, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and a perfect option for those who are not very interested in crowded beaches.
THE CALPE CORNER
is located on El Penon de Ifach, the great rock of Ifach, an exceptional nature reserve surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. There is a beautiful walking route up to high on the rock and at the starting point below there are even information panels.
THE MASCARAT, POBLE MASCARAT
Beautiful hidden bay next to Poble Mascarat. It is only accessible by boat and offers fantastic scenery. Ideal for explorers and diving enthusiasts.
THE COVES TORREVIEJA
is a rocky area on the coast of Torrevieja. Coastal erosion has shaped these beautiful bays. They are perfect for relaxing and enjoying stunning views over the sea. Its rich ecosystem makes it a perfect area for diving enthusiasts.
TÃO XIMO, BENIDORM
TÃo Ximo has nothing to do with the crowded beaches that stretch along the coast of Benidorm. This small bay with clear water makes it perfect for diving. You’re going to fall in love.
Golf clubs
LAS COLINAS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Las Colinas Golf and Country Club is located in the most southern tip of the province of Alicante, near Torrevieja, and has been named one of the best 100 golf courses in Europe by Golf World magazine. The course, designed by the well-known North American landscape architect Cabell B. Robinson, is a true competition course. The main goal is the services and amenities, so that each player can live a unique experience.
DON CAYO
This 9-hole golf course was built in 1974, but redesigned in 2006 and offers spectacular views, particularly on the third hole where you look out over the bay of Altea, north of Benidorm, and the seventh, where you can see the Sierra Bernia mountains that surround the Marina Baixa. The course has a very attractive design and the location makes for an unbeatable golf experience
THE FINCA GOLF CLUB
La Finca Golf Club is located in a beautiful natural setting with fantastic views. The amenities are at the disposal of anyone who likes to play golf in the middle of nature, and at the same time wants to enjoy beaches, sailing clubs and a range of other amenities just a few minutes away. Several lakes with running water and reeds along the course provide beauty and challenge in the game and provide a home to various migratory birds such as ducks and egrets. On the course itself we find olive trees and palms for a beautiful green background with a remarkable Mediterranean character.
LA SELLA
This 27-hole gem is located south of the city of Denia and is the work of the amazing José Maria Olazabal. La Sella is spread over three times 9 holes and between 1990 and 2010 formed the location for the Ladies European Tour four times. Surrounded by pine, almond and carob trees, this impressive golf course offers beautiful views over the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.
OLIVIA NOVA
Oliva Nova’s links course was designed in 1992 by Spanish legend Severiano Ballesteros and is spread over 50 hectares. The course is located in the middle of a large residential complex. Water is a constant on this highly technical course with 18 alternating long and short holes.