Altea, Cultural Capital of the Autonomous Community of Valencia.

Altea is located 50 km. away from Alicante, 10 km. from Benidorm and 130 km. from Valencia, in the province of Alicante, Costa Blanca. To the north it adjoins Calpe and to the south Benidorm. It is surrounded by many towns, such as Alfaz del Pi, Benissa, Calpe, Callosa de Ensarriá, Jalón and La Nucia.
Altea is set in a bay, with the Punta del Albir and the Morro de Toix at either end. The town has a municipal district called Altea la Vieja, in Valencian Spanish, Altea la Vella, at the foot of the Sierra de Bernia.
The town of Altea is 34.43 Km.², it has a population of 22,648 inhabitants (INE 2007) and a population density of 657.8 inhabitants/km.²

The engine of Altea’s economy is tourism, although agriculture and fishing continue to play an important role. Altea’s crop par excellence is citrus and loquat fruit. The objective of the local authorities and the inhabitants is to look after their orchards, for the purpose of preserving local produce, jobs and the landscape, as well as improving the environment, being the first town in the Autonomous Community of Valencia to declare itself free of genetically modified products.

The main features of Altea are its old quarters, with the ruins of a castle, the church, Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, the beach, the sea promenade and the harbour.
Altea holds the title “Cultural Capital of the Autonomous Community of Valencia”, as a result of its many art galleries, foundations of famous painters, the “Casal Fester” which houses historic elements of 25 years of Moors and Christians fiestas, the Department of Fine Arts of the Universidad Miguel Hernández and the Palau Altea.

The monastery church, Iglesia Monasterio de las Carmelitas Descalzas; the watchtower, Torre de la Galera, declared Place of Cultural Interest; another  watchtower, Torre Bellaguarda; the church, Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo where we can see the “dome of the Mediterranean”, the image and emblem of Altea; the old part of the town with its well preserved whitewashed houses, cobbled streets and balconies; the arts’ centre,Palau de Altea; and the sea promenade, Paseo Marítimo, are sites that will always remain in your memory.

The fiestas in Altea go on practically the whole year round. Altea celebrates the Moors and Christians fiestas, the fiestas of the Cristo de la Salud held in Altea la Vieja, as well as the fiestas of La Santísima Trinidad, San Antonio, San Juan, etc., without forgetting to mention the spectacular “Castell de L’Olla” in August.

More than 6 km. of coastline with cliffs alternating coves and beaches such as La Olla, Cap Negret, El Mascarat and Cap Blanc and, of course, the Altea Yacht Club.

Altea is a paradise for tourists, who are mesmerised by the beauty of each of its corners, its whitewashed houses and streets that lead to the sea, a paradise on the Mediterranean.