Stunning beach town just 20 minutes from Brit-favourite Benidorm is known as Spain’s ‘Santorini’
Date: 2024-10-21A SMALL coastal town right by Benidorm has been compared to Santorini because of its blue-domed houses.
Altea in Costa Blanca is just 20 minutes by car from the famous Brit-loved resort.
However, it is far removed from the town known for its huge bars and clubs.
Altea is often visited more by locals than tourists, with the laid-back town being much quieter.
It’s nickname of the Santorini of Spain is partly because of the white-washed houses lining the narrow roads.
One of the more famous views is of the two bright blue roofed towers overlooking the streets, part of the town’s church.
The best place to head to is the Old Town, which has amazing views over the beach and of the huge mountain in the distance – part of Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada.
The impressive Plaza de la Iglesia, with the church at its heart, is lined with bars and restaurants, market stalls dot the cobbled streets at weekends and in the summer festivals engulf the whole area.
Along the way are a number of small shops sunken into the buildings, which sell local gifts such as trinkets and clothes.
Otherwise outside of the historic centre is the seaside, with the 500 metre beach being made up of both pebbles and sand.
The promenade was revamped last year, after a £3.3million renovation.
This included new recreational areas with seats, parks and wildlife.
A kids playground, cycle lanes and new beach called El Bol also opened as part of the revamp.
Previous tourists have raved about the town.
One said: “Altea is so lovely. White washed streets; oranges growing on trees; little artist shops; cute little cafes.”
Another said: “Definitely worth a visit – a quaint village with fantastic views that stretch all the way to Benidorm.”
To get to Altea, you can drive in just 20 minutes, or get a train or tram for just a few euros, although this takes slightly longer.
if you want to stay, there are a range of choices such as Hotel Cap Negret, from £80 a night and with private access to the beach.
For something fancier, there is the adults-only Porta Nova Suites from £291 a night.
Brits can fly directly to Alicante for as little as £14.99 with easyJet, flying from London airports as well as Manchester, Newcaslte, Birmingham and Edinburgh.
it’s not the only place in Spain that has been compared to Santorini.
Binibeca Vell, on the island of Menorca, is often compared to the
What is it like to visit Altea?
The Sun’s Head of Health Lizzie Parry often visited Altea as a child – here’s her low down.
“THERE are few places in the world more special to me than Altea.
“At the age of three months old, on my first holiday and for the next 20-odd years of my life, it was where I was lucky enough to go for weeks at a time, visiting with my first boyfriend, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, my grandparents and lots of friends.
“It was where Spaniards living in Madrid often decamped to for the blazingly hot month of August, so always felt truly Spanish.
“We stayed just outside the village of Altea La Vella, at the foot of the Altea Hills, a mountainside dotted with villas and apartments – all with views of the Mediterranean.
“It’s a cliche, I know, but it really does have everything from the sandy stretch of beach at nearby Calpe and lovely pebbly coves, to the Fonts de l’Algar, a natural paradise of waterfalls and pools.
“But the absolute gem in Altea’s crown is without a doubt, the Old Town. Perched high on a hill overlooking the town, it’s one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been.
“I haven’t been back to Altea for over a decade but as a family we still reminisce about the food, the slow cooked lamb you had to pre-order at Bar Mallol in Altea La Vella, the lemon, orange and pineapple ice creams they sold in almost every restaurant (we each had our favourite, mine was lemon), the paella, the odd fancy meal at Puerto Blanco (en route to Calpe) and the various tapas places on the front.
“And then there was the local supermarket Marias, where the owner greeted us like long-lost friends, despite the fact we could only ever order 200g of anything at a time, and everything was ‘cut up for the barbacoa’ (insert the relevant hand movements).
“I miss it. I miss the views, the fact the whole area smelt of jasmine and you could always hear the low hum of the crickets in the trees.
“I miss siestas, wandering around the Old Town late at night, and feeling the magic of the place.
“It’s one of my happy places, and always will be.”
Greek island as well with its bright white houses lining the coast.
Here another Spanish island Brits often overlook despite having quiet beaches and cheap beers.
Don’t want to leave the UK? A seaside town has even been compared to Santorini – here’s how to find it.
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