Altea Holidays: Beaches, Roman Aqueduct and Getting There
Provincia de Alicante · Valencia · Spain · 23,780 residents · on the coast
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Far de l'Albir
Platja del Racó de l'Albir.jpg/500px-Altea%2C_Spain_(26616253950).jpg)
Platja de la Roda
Roman Aqueduct of Altea
Vil·la romana de l'AlbirAltea is a coastal town of around 24,000 people in the Provincia de Alicante, sitting practically at sea level on the Valencian coast. For British travellers it is an easy reach: Alicante airport, with direct flights from the UK, is about 50 minutes away by car. Within a few miles of the centre you will find a run of beaches, from Platja d'Altea and Platja de la Roda right in town to the coves around l'Albir, as well as the Far de l'Albir lighthouse, a Roman aqueduct and the remains of a Roman villa. Summer highs reach 31°C, while winter days still sit around 17°C, which makes Altea a sound choice well beyond the school holidays.
Why go
- Platja d'Altea and Platja de la Roda lie under half a mile from the centre.
- Alicante airport has direct UK flights and is roughly 50 minutes' drive away.
- Seven months, May to November, offer warm, settled conditions, with July and August highs of 31°C.
Top sights in Altea
Lighthouse, Roman remains and beaches
The best-known sight near Altea is the Far de l'Albir, a lighthouse about 2.4 miles from town and a favourite with couples and walkers drawn to the natural setting. Close behind it in notability comes Platja del Racó de l'Albir, a beach some 1.8 miles away, and Platja de la Roda, under half a mile from the centre and well suited to families.
For a dose of history, the Roman Aqueduct of Altea stands about 0.8 miles out, and the Vil·la romana de l'Albir, an archaeological site, is roughly 1.9 miles away. The Museo del Mar de Altea, a sea museum around 0.4 miles from the centre, works well for families on a hot afternoon. Beyond those, the beach list is long: Platja d'Altea (0.4 miles), Playa de Negrete (1 mile), Cap Blanc (1.3 miles), Cala del Soio (1.4 miles), Platja de l'Albir (1.7 miles) and Playa de la Solsida (2.7 miles).
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly from this page using the booking cards below.
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1lighthouse- 2beach
Platja del Racó de l'Albir
2 miles from the centre · Photo
- 3beach
Platja de la Roda
In the centre · Photo
- 4aqueduct
- 5archaeological site
Vil·la romana de l'Albir
2 miles from the centre · Photo
Museo del Mar de Altea
museum · In the centre
Cap Blanc
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Cala del Soio
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Platja d'Altea
beach · In the centre
Playa de Negrete
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Platja de l'Albir
beach · 2 miles from the centre
Playa de la Solsida
beach · 3 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in Altea
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Altea can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Altea
Choosing your base in Altea
Staying close to the centre puts Platja d'Altea, Platja de la Roda and the Museo del Mar all within half a mile, which suits families who would rather walk than drive. The l'Albir side, under 2 miles away, groups several beaches with the lighthouse and the Roman villa, a good fit for those who want coastal walks on the doorstep.
Altea itself is a mid-sized town; if you want a livelier scene, Benidorm, a town of over 70,000, is only about 6 miles away, so a quieter base here does not rule out the occasional big night out. Live hotel prices for Altea are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Altea and the villages around it is a hire car from Alicante (ALC), about 50 min away.
Best time to visit Altea
When to visit Altea
- 17°CJan10 mm
- 17°CFeb17 mm
- 20°CMar17 mm
- 21°CApr15 mm
- 23°CMay56 mm
- 26°CJun19 mm
- 31°CJul5 mm
- 31°CAug22 mm
- 27°CSept50 mm
- 25°COct42 mm
- 21°CNov10 mm
- 17°CDec7 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months run from May to November. July and August are the hottest, with highs of 31°C and nights around 24°C, and July is also the driest month with just 5mm of rain. June (26°C) and September (27°C) are warm without the peak heat.
Rain is light all year but peaks in May (56mm over seven days) and September (50mm over seven days), with October close behind at 42mm. Winter is mild: December to February bring highs of about 17°C and lows around 9°C to 10°C, with only two or three rainy days a month, which makes Altea a reasonable option for a winter-sun break.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 9°C | 10 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 17°C | 9°C | 17 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 20°C | 11°C | 17 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 21°C | 13°C | 15 mm | 11 h |
| May | 23°C | 16°C | 56 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 20°C | 19 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 31°C | 24°C | 5 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 31°C | 24°C | 22 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 20°C | 50 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 18°C | 42 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 21°C | 14°C | 10 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 10°C | 7 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Altea from the UK
Three airports with direct flights from the UK serve Altea. Alicante is the closest, about 35 miles away and roughly 50 minutes by car. Valencia is around 66 miles away, about an hour and 35 minutes' drive, and Murcia is roughly 80 miles away, just under two hours by road. Car hire at any of the three makes the onward journey straightforward.
If you prefer to drive the whole way, allow around 20 hours behind the wheel from Calais. Ferry ports nearby include Dénia, about 19 miles away, with sailings to Ibiza, Formentera and Palma, and Valencia, about 60 miles away, with routes to Palma, Ibiza, Maó and Tangier Med in Morocco.
By air
- Alicante (ALC)35 miles, about 50 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Valencia (VLC)66 miles, about 1 h 33 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Murcia (RMU)80 miles, about 1 h 54 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 19 h 57 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Dénia (19 miles), Valencia (60 miles), Ibiza (83 miles).
Altea is good for
Around Altea
Day trips along the coast
Altea sits in a cluster of towns that are easy to combine. La Nucia and the small town of Polop are both about 4 miles away, while Benidorm and Calp are each around 6 miles off, giving you a big resort and a neighbouring coastal town within a short drive.
A little further, Finestrat is about 9 miles away and Benissa around 10 miles. Villajoyosa and the small resort of Moraira are each roughly 12 miles from Altea, comfortable half-day outings. Dénia's port, about 19 miles away, also opens up a day crossing to the Balearics.
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Tips from Robin
Practical tips for your stay
Altea sits at sea level, so the heat in July and August is felt fully; plan beach time and visits to the aqueduct or Roman villa for the morning or evening, and keep the Museo del Mar in reserve for the middle of the day.
If you are travelling in May or September, pack a light layer: these are the wettest months, each with around seven rainy days. With a population of roughly 24,000, Altea has a calmer pace than Benidorm next door, so book popular tours ahead in high summer rather than relying on turning up.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Altea?
Alicante airport is the nearest, about 35 miles from Altea and roughly 50 minutes by car. It has direct flights from the UK. Valencia (about 1 hour 35 minutes) and Murcia (just under two hours) also have direct UK flights.
Is Altea good for a family holiday?
Yes. Several family-friendly beaches lie close to town, including Platja d'Altea and Platja de la Roda, both under half a mile from the centre. The Museo del Mar de Altea is nearby too, and Benidorm is only about 6 miles away for extra entertainment.
How hot is Altea in summer?
July and August are the hottest months, with daytime highs of 31°C and night-time lows around 24°C. June reaches about 26°C and September about 27°C, so either is a good choice if you prefer slightly cooler days.
Is Altea warm enough in winter?
Winter is mild, with highs of about 17°C from December to February and lows around 9°C to 10°C. Rain is scarce, with only two or three rainy days a month, so it suits a gentle winter-sun break rather than sunbathing.
How far is Altea from Benidorm?
Benidorm is about 6 miles from Altea, an easy trip by car. Calp is a similar distance, while la Nucia and Polop are around 4 miles away, making day trips simple from an Altea base.
Can I drive to Altea from the UK?
You can. The drive from Calais takes around 20 hours, so most people split it over two or more days. Once there, the coast nearby is easy to explore by car, with towns such as Calp and Villajoyosa within 12 miles.