# Altea The old town with the blue-domed church, the walk to the Albir Lighthouse and a boat trip along the Serra Gelada, on the bay of Altea, with El Albir and L'Alfàs del Pi. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/altea · Revisado: 2026-11-14 Altea is seen from afar: the old town climbs a hill and is crowned by the blue and white tiled dome of the church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo. Around it are the harbour, Cap Blanc cove and, to the south, El Albir, which belongs to L'Alfàs del Pi, and the Serra Gelada, a natural park that drops in cliffs to the sea. It is easy to cover in a day, on foot and without hurry. ## What should I do first? Start with the old town. The route begins at the Portal Vell, a former gateway in the city wall, follows Calle Salamanca to the Portal Nou and has viewpoints along the way, such as the Glorieta del Maño. It ends at the Plaza de la Iglesia, where the church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo stands, in neo-Baroque style and with free entry. Before climbing up, stop at the Tourist Info on Calle Sant Pere. ## And nature? From El Albir sets off the walk to the Albir Lighthouse, about 2 km from a car park, through the north of the natural park. You see cliffs, fossil dunes, the Whale Cave, old ochre mines and the lighthouse with the Bombarda tower beside it. It is a route suitable for families. Cap Blanc cove is the longest beach in the municipality of Altea, with a Blue Flag and adapted access. ## And by boat? From the harbour, Mundo Marino runs a one-hour trip along the coast of Altea and the Serra Gelada: €17 for adults, according to the official tourism listing. ## Where do I eat? In the old town, Casa Vital, on Calle Salamanca, a small restaurant opened in 2000 with a terrace overlooking the sea. For dinner with a French-inspired signature menu, Oustau de Altea, on Calle Major, among gardens. ## Where do I sleep? In the same area is the SHA Wellness Clinic, an integrative health clinic with a hotel in El Albir. You come to follow a health programme, not for a single night, and it does not publish prices. ## How do I get there without a car? Line 9 of the TRAM d'Alacant has stations in Altea, El Albir and L'Alfàs del Pí. Check the journey planner before you leave: in November 2026 FGV announced track maintenance works on line 9. ## Dónde está - Cerca: Guadalest and the Guadalest Valley (a 15.4 km), Villajoyosa (a 18.7 km), Xàbia (Jávea) (a 28.4 km), Bocairent (a 52.0 km) ## Qué hacer - **Altea Old Town** (1 h 30 · For everyone; steep streets and steps · Free): The old town starts at the Portal Vell, a former gateway in the city wall, and follows Calle Salamanca to the Portal Nou. The tourist office describes it with white façades, shades of blue and bougainvillea, and it has viewpoints along the way, such as the Glorieta del Maño. Climb up to the square of the church and go on foot: it is a route of slopes. - **Walk to the Albir Lighthouse along the Serra Gelada** (2 km · Accessible and suitable for families, according to the tourist office · Free): The route starts from a car park in the northern part of the Serra Gelada Natural Park, in L'Alfàs del Pi. The tourist office gives it as 2 km and does not say whether that is one way or a round trip. You will see the bay of Altea and the Sierra de Bèrnia, cliffs and fossil dunes, the Whale Cave, Ameradors cove, Metge cove, Mina cove and the remains of an ochre mine. At the end, the lighthouse, with an interpretation centre, and the remains of the Bombarda tower. Bring binoculars for the birds. The park has its visitor centre on the Camí Vell del Far, in El Albir (serragelada@gva.es). - **Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo** (30 min · Free): It stands at Plaza de la Iglesia, 2, at the top of the old town. It is a neo-Baroque church built between 1900 and 1910 on a parish that had existed since the early 16th century, with a Latin cross plan, a white interior with gilded decoration and a dome of blue tiles. Access is free; the tourist office does not publish visiting hours, so ask at the Tourist Info. - **Serra Gelada Boat Trip from Altea** (1 h · Adults €17, seniors €15, children €13): Mundo Marino departs from the end of Avenida del Puerto, past the fishing harbour, next to the petrol station. According to the tourism listing, it lasts an hour and departs at 11:00, 16:00 and 17:30, all year round; babies go free. Times may change: check the Mundo Marino website or call 966 423 066. The company also runs trips of other lengths, with a stop for swimming. - **Cala Cap Blanc** (Free): According to the tourist office, it is a calm-water beach of fine gravel with larger stones, between the Club Náutico de Altea and Albir beach. It has lifeguards, parking, foot showers, a restaurant, a taxi rank, a Blue Flag and adapted access to the water, and you get there on foot along the seafront promenade or by bus. ## Dónde comer - **Casa Vital Restaurant** (Restaurant, Altea, €€€). Qué pedir: Ask about the tasting menu; the house highlights the salmon, cod, sirloin and cheesecake. - **Oustau de Altea** (Restaurant, Altea, €€€). Qué pedir: Book on its website; the menu does not publish prices on the home page. ## Consejos ### The old town, on foot Climb Calle Salamanca without hurrying and come down another street: the views change. ### Albir Lighthouse first thing Better early in summer, and with binoculars if you like birds. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How much does it cost to enter the church? Nothing: access to the church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo is free. ### What are the Tourist Info opening hours? Monday to Friday 9:30 to 15:30; Saturdays and public holidays, 9:30 to 13:30. Closed on Sundays. ### How long is the boat trip? One hour, with departures at 11:00, 16:00 and 17:30, according to the tourism listing; confirm on the Mundo Marino website. ### Is El Albir part of Altea? No: El Albir belongs to L'Alfàs del Pi, but it is right next to Altea and shares the bay and the Serra Gelada. ### Where is SHA Wellness Clinic? At Carrer del Verderol, 5, El Albir.