Situazione
Altea - Costa Blanca - Spain
Situated in the Spanish Costa Blanca, in between Valencia and
Alicante, lies Altea, the village of artists and fishermen. This town in
Alicante, a province in the south-eastern region of Spain borders the
Mediterranean Sea and lies approximately 50 kilometres northeast of the
city of Alicante and 130 kilometres south of Valencia. Altea offers a
variety of residential areas where you can find luxurious holiday rental
villas, houses, homes and holiday rental apartments.
General information about Altea
Altea, with almost 20.000 inhabitants, stretches a surface of 34.4
square kilometres and is built on a hill of the Costa Blanca. The
fabulous basilica with its resplendent blue domes, graciously crowns the
top of the mountain. Built onto the hillside, the old town centre with
its many narrow streets and alleys, has become home to many an artist
and contains many cosy, characteristic restaurants and bistros. Tourism,
having increased significantly on the Costa Blanca from the 1950s
onward because of Alteas Mediterranean climate, child-friendly beaches,
and characteristic downtown area, is a main means of livelihood for the
town and its people.
History of Altea
Alteas history goes back many centuries and is characterised by the
manifold civilisations that have passed Altea on their way along the
course of time. Iberians, Fenicians, Muslims, Greeks, and Romans have
all left their marks. It appears that the name Altea is also of Greek
origin, as it is thought to have come from the Greek word Altahia,
meaning `I heal. Since the town is located at the mouth of the Algar
river (meaning 'the river of health'), historians assume that in the old
days Altea was a hamlet with strategic, medical, and beneficial value.
Landscape and surroundings of Altea
Situated along a bay, Altea is sealed in by the mountains and the sea.
It offers a panoramic view of the picturesque blue domes of the Virgen
del Consuelo church, also known as the Nuestra Seora del Consuelo
church. This church was built on the hill and stretches high above the
historical downtown area. Here you will also find a labyrinth of paved
streets and flights of stairs well worth a visit. You are treated to
special views looking down the scenic streets and coastline, and
absorbing the interesting and beautiful spots of Altea.
Beaches of Altea
Cliffs and pebbled beaches vary each other along Alteas 6 kilometres
long beach. Little bays and beaches follow in succession from the
Barranco del Mascarat up to the pier marking the border with L'Alfs del
Pi. Near the old town centre lies the Playa de la Roda beach, while the
biggest beach, Cap Blanch, can be found a little further to the south,
merging seamlessly with the Albir beach. Further north lies the Playa de
Cap Negret beach, a pebble beach with at its end a small inlet with
black rocks named Cala del Soio. Another beach favourite is L´Olla,
situated right across from its namesake island. Altea's borders are
marked by the mountain peak Mascarat and the Sierra de Bernia, where one
will find inlets with small pebble beaches such as La Barreta, La
Solsida, and La Galera.
Things to see in Altea
Besides the previously mentioned church of Virgen del Consuelo with its
magnificent blue domes, Altea offers a range of museums:
-
Museo étnico de la Música (Ethnic museum of Music), with its collection
of Carlos Blanco Fadol, is considered one of the worlds most important
in its field. A fabulous concert hall offers a variety of drama and
musical performances for your enjoyment.
- Museum Navarro Ramn
- Sala de Pinturas, the museum housing the art of painting
- Casa de Cultura, in which temporary collections are on display
In addition there are band competitions and festivals amongst which is
the Vila d´Altea International Music Band Competition taking place in
November or December and bringing together over 500 musicians.
A major fireworks display supported by a smashing show of sights and
sounds takes place in the night of the second Saturday of August.
Things to do in Altea
Every visitor to Altea is invited to a journey of exploration on foot.
The labyrinth of narrow alleys offering a gorgeous view over the Bay of
Altea is what has given Altea its fame. On your way you will pass
numerous small stores, boots, and galleries offering a wide range of
hand-crafted goods.
A stone's throw away from Altea lies Cactuslandia, hosting a collection
of over a thousand species of cacti and parrots that will most surely
amaze you.
Multiple amusement parks are found in the direction of Benidorm, such
as Terra Mítica , Spain's first Theme Park on The Costa Blanca . This
Theme Park is divided into five areas representing five lost
civilizations of bygone ages. Its attractions take you back to the myths
and legends of these ancient cultures.
Aqualandia is a very large Water Theme Park in which young and old
alike can have an unforgettable experience in its many swimming pools
with springboards, rapid currents, waterfalls, and a stunning range of
waterslides.
Gorgeous exotic animals and creatures of the sea await you at Safari
Park Vergel or Zoopark Mundomar , both of which also host a variety of
shows and attractions.
Sports and recreation in Altea
The beach at Marina Greenwich offers a variety of sporting facilities.
One may scuba dive, fish, surf, attend the sailing school or rent a
yacht. Similar activities are offered at the harbour and at the water
sports club.
Those
who love a good game of golf will also feel welcome in Altea. Situated
by Altea la Vieja, against the backdrop of the Mountains of Bernia, one
discovers the Don Cayo Club de Golf, a nine-hole golf course with an
amazing view. Completed in 2005 between la Sierra Finestrat and the
Mediterranean Sea, Club de Golf Real de Faula offers a spacious twin
eighteen-hole golf course. The area also hosts two 5-star hotels,
swimming pools, tennis lanes, a kids club, a fitness centre, restaurants
and shopping facilities.
Cuisine of Altea
The characteristic Spanish dishes are also richly represented in
Altea. Most typical for the region, as for all of the Costa Blanca, is
-undoubtedly- the rice, which is prepared in over 300 different ways. In
the mountains, rice is used as one of the ingredients in the famous
stew, and so are pork, sausage, pumpkin, turnip, beets, chick peas and
beans Seaside restaurants always offer fish and shellfish on their
menus. The countless (fish)restaurants in the harbour serve the most
delicious local specialities on offer: Dorade, Lubina a la Sal (in a
crust of salt) or grilled with a nip of olive oil, garlic, and lemon
juice. The cuisine the Costa Blanca also includes honey-sweet deserts,
such as nougat and ice cream from Xixona, grapes, raisins, dates, almond
pie, pastry drenched in sweet syrup accompanied by coffee licor from
Alcoy and herb licor from the Sierra Mariola. The premium red, light
red, and ros wines originate from the Alto Vinalop and Marina Alta
districts.
The locations of the holiday houses, holiday villas and holiday apartments
Altea, La Nucia, Polop and Alfaz del Pi : The Houses, Villas and
Apartments are located in and around Altea and in the adjoining villages
La Nucia, Polop and Alfaz del Pi. The towns are situated amongst hilly
terrain, surrounded by orchards but definitely not too far away from the
coast.
Distances:
town centre approx. 3 4 kilometres; beach approx. 4 - 8 kilometres;
supermarket and restaurants approx. 3 5 kilometres; tennis courts and
golf courses approx. 3 8 kilometres from your villa.
Villajoyosa
Cosy fisherman's village next to Altea, with a beautiful sandy beach.
Distances: town centre and beach approx. 4 kilometres; supermarket and
restaurants approx. 3 kilometres; tennis courts approx. 1 kilometre and
golf courses approx. 10 kilometres from your villa.