Costa Blanca Norte
Altea
24,000 habitantes · 55 km de Alicante
Altea is one of the jewels of the Costa Blanca. Its old town, with cobbled streets and white houses topped with blue domes, has attracted artists and international buyers since the 1960s. The real estate offerings range from modern villas in Altea Hills to apartments by the marina. The market is stable, with high foreign demand (Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch, Belgian).
Metros² medios
145 m²
Precio medio
3.850 €/m²
Rentabilidad alquiler
4,2% anual
Por qué Altea
- Casco antiguo de piedra blanca
- Marina deportiva
- Restaurantes gourmet
Inhabitants
24,000
Price/m²
3,000 €
Airport
50 km
Sunny days
320/year
The bohemian white village with the most photographed church on the Costa Blanca
Altea is probably the most photogenic village on the Costa Blanca. Its old town, all white with the blue domes of the Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, is protected as a Cultural Heritage Site. It attracts artists: art galleries, pottery workshops, and live jazz in the bars on Calle Mayor. The Miguel Hernández University of Fine Arts is located here. It has 24,000 registered inhabitants and maintains cultural activities throughout the year (Festival Castell de l'Olla, concerts in July-August). The beaches of Cap Negret and Albir (the latter in the neighboring municipality of Alfas) are the most popular. Direct A-7 connection to Alicante (35 min) and a beautiful TRAM train to Benidorm and Denia.
Who is Altea for?
Altea attracts buyers with a cultural-bohemian profile: artists, European university professors, retirees interested in art and gastronomy, and Scandinavians who value the intellectual atmosphere. It is also popular among Dutch and Belgian families. It is NOT a party destination — for that, there's Benidorm (15 km to the south).
International community
~45% of the registered population is foreign.
Top nationalities
Services and education
International schools
- • Sierra Bernia School (Alfas del Pi, 5 min)
- • Lope de Vega International School (Benidorm, 10 min)
Hospitals
- • IMED Levante Hospital (private, 10 min)
- • Marina Baixa Hospital (public, Villajoyosa 10 min)
- • Benidorm Premium Clinic (15 min)
Supermarkets
- • Mercadona
- • Lidl
- • Municipal market on Saturdays
- • Gourmet shops in the historic center
Lifestyle
Featured beaches
- • Cap Negret Beach (rocks, crystal-clear water)
- • Cala del Mascarat
- • La Roda Beach (promenade)
- • Albir Beach (Alfas del Pi, 5 min)
Iconic restaurants
- • Oustau de Altea (French-Mediterranean cuisine)
- • El Negro de Altea
- • La Costera
- • Casa Toni
Leisure and activities
Art galleries in the old town, Castell de l'Olla amphitheater with summer concerts, UMH Fine Arts University, Campomanes marina, hiking in the Sierra de Bernia, Tuesday market at the Church square.
Real estate investment
Altea old town (renovated traditional houses): €300,000-600,000 for a small house. Modern apartment in beach area: €200,000-380,000. Villa with views in La Sierra: €500K-1.5M. Sustained international artistic demand.
Average rental yield: 5-6.5% gross in tourist rentals (better in the old town area)
Price trend: +10% last 3 years
Pros and cons
Pros
- + Unique old town in Costa Blanca (Cultural Heritage Site)
- + Cultural life throughout the year
- + Close to the airport (50 km, 35 min)
- + Well-established Scandinavian and Dutch community
- + No tourist overcrowding (not Benidorm)
To consider
- − Rocky beaches, not fine sand
- − Old town with cobblestone streets — not suitable for reduced mobility
- − Difficult parking in July-August
- − Housing in the historic center requires renovations
Altea vs Benidorm
Altea is the cultural antithesis of Benidorm just 15 km away. Bohemian atmosphere vs mass tourism, village house vs tower, gastronomy vs all-inclusive. Price in Altea €3,000/m² vs Benidorm €2,400/m².
Propiedades activas en Altea
VILLA
2,495,000 €
344 m²
VILLA
2,146,000 €
616 m²
APARTAMENTO
900,000 €
125 m²
VILLA
2,795,000 €
425 m²
APARTAMENTO
880,000 €
125 m²
VILLA
2,090,000 €
500 m²