A coastal town and municipality situated in the Alicante province of the Costa Blanca, Spain, Altea is a popular holiday destination which is more attractive and peaceful than the neighbouring resorts of Benidorm and Calpe. Altea has a resident population of around 18,000, though this of course rises considerably during the hectic summer season. The area of the municipality of Altea is 34.4 square kilometres, taking in several small villages such as Altea la Vella a charming little place. The history of Altea stretches back into the mists of time when ancient Greeks traded along this coast, with later Phoenicians, Romans and then Moors all trading in the Bay of Altea. After the Christian reconquest, the town was fortified to protect it from further incursions, the enclosed area now forming the old town of Altea. The town is renowned for its picturesque blue domed church, the Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, much photographed and definitely one of the symbols of the Costa Blanca region. Altea of course like the entire Costa Blanca region, enjoys wonderful weather conditions for most of the year, with long hours of sunshine and low rainfall, making it ideal for beach style holidays. Apart from Benidorm and Calpe, there are a number of small coastal resorts surrounding Altea, amongst these are Albir, Finestrat, Benissa and Moraira. Altea can easily be accessed from the N-332 coast road, it is about 32 miles north of Alicante.
May 17, 2010
August 26, 2009
Benissa, Teulada, Benitachell and Cumbre del Sol
Surrounding the northern Costa Blanca resort of Moraira there are a number of interesting little towns which are less well known than this more popular coastal town, these include the towns of Benissa, Teulada, Benitachell and Cumbre del Sol. Benissa is an interesting town with a history going back to the times of the Moors (the name is from the Arabic Banu-Issa), the old town is well preserved and has some important historic monuments. Equally old is Teulada, with its narrow winding streets and “Sea Doorway” an ancient part of the old medieval walls which protected the town. The small town of Benitachell is between Moraira and Javea and has a number of new developments surrounding it including the largest, Cumbre del Sol which also has its own small beach and enjoys wonderful panoramic sea views.