Altea

Altea
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Altea Location in Spain Altea Altea (Valencian Community) Altea Altea (Spain) Show map of Province of AlicanteShow map of Valencian CommunityShow map of SpainShow all
Coordinates: 38°35′55″N 0°3′7″W / 38.59861°N 0.05194°W / 38.59861; -0.05194
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Valencian Community
Province	Alicante
Comarca	Marina Baixa
Government
• Mayor	Jaume Llinares Cortés (2019) (Compromís)
Area
• Total	34.43 km2 (13.29 sq mi)
Elevation	61 m (200 ft)
Population  (2018)[1]
• Total	21,995
• Density	640/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Alteà / Alteano
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	03590
Official language(s)	Spanish and Valencian
Website	Official website

Altea (Valencian: [alˈtea], Spanish: [alˈtea]) is a city and municipality located in the province of Alicante, Spain, north of Alicante on the section of Mediterranean coast called the Costa Blanca.

At present, the economy of Altea is based on tourism, which started to grow in the 1950s because of its good weather, beaches and the labyrinthine streets with whitewashed house-fronts that characterize the town. Altea is protected on the north by the bluffs of the , creating an especially mild microclimate. Its seafront esplanade is planted with palms.

History[]

The Iberian coastal settlements at the mouth of the in the wide Bay of Altea were later joined by a Greek marketplace, named Althaia.^[2]

During the Moorish domination the land around Altea belonged to the Taifa of Dénia until it was recaptured by the Christians in 1244 under James I of Aragon. The town was quickly fortified, and walls were erected to enclose what is now known as the "old town" outsiders.

Main sights[]

This maze of cobbled narrow and crooked streets with glimpses of the bay is one of the better features of the town. Other sights include the church of La Mare de Déu del Consol ("Our Lady of Solace"), easily identifiable by its picturesque blue and white domes, tiled with glazed ceramics. There are numerous quaint restaurants near the church, some with a view over the Mediterranean. Note that, if visiting by car, you will need to park several blocks away from the church area as the immediately surrounding area is either off limits to cars and/or the streets are so narrow and steep (or have stairs) that cars cannot pass.

• 

  A street of Altea by night

• 

  La Mare de Déu del Consol

• 

  Streets of Altea

Education[]

Altea shares a campus of the University Miguel Hernández.

Twin towns - sister cities[]

Altea is a founding member of the Douzelage, a unique town twinning association of 24 towns across the European Union. This active town twinning began in 1991 and there are regular events, such as a produce market from each of the other countries and festivals.^[3][4] Discussions regarding membership are also in hand with three further towns (Agros in Cyprus, Škofja Loka in Slovenia, and Tryavna in Bulgaria).

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Altea.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Altea.

• Portaltea, Portal de Altea
• Altea-Info, Good Information-Guide of Altea - in German and English
• Douzelage: Altea
• Discover Alicante, Photo gallery of Altea