Altea Tourist Attractions - Tours - things to do - In and Around Spanish Resorts
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If you never set foot outside Altea during your holiday you won't run short of sights to see, places to visit and things to do. And if you're keen to venture further afield, the Costa Blanca and its hinterland offers a wealth of major attractions - both natural and man made - within easy reach.
Start by exploring the town itself. Set off from the Plaza del Convento and follow the Pont de Moncau which leads you to the Vellaguarda. From here you'll wend your way through the narrow medieval streets which wind steadily upwards to the plaza in the old quarter. Make the blue-domed parish church of the Virgin del Consuelo your goal. But be prepared for many distractions along the way. The streets themselves are a delight with their whitewashed buildings adorned with jasmine and geraniums. Private homes, shops and restaurants sit comfortably side by side in a jumble of buildings which are full of character with their intricately carved wooden doors, balconies and metal grilles.
Take your time. Partly because the climb to the top through these stepped and cobbled streets is quite demanding. But mostly because you'll want to stop and explore the many gifts shops, art and craft galleries and tempting back streets along the way.
At the top you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view over Altea Bay with the Sierra Bernia mountain range providing an impressive backdrop. Make sure you've got your camera or camcorder with you!
Stop here for a drink or a meal in one of the bars and restaurants which circle the cobbled plaza. It's a perfect place to sit and relax - never too noisy and never too "touristy".
Visit the Virgin del Consuelo (Our Lady of Solace) church - built at the turn of the century and quite as elaborate inside as out. Its slender bell tower and huge blue dome beautifully decorated with blue and white glazed ceramic tiles make it one of the Costa Blanca's major milestones (a postcard favourite!).
Enjoy the town's many wonderful restaurants during your stay - you'll find top quality local and international cuisine at very reasonable prices. And in the summer months, the cobbled streets of the old quarter with their street terraces are a perfect place to people watch while you eat.
For pioneers of all things culinary, there are some unusual local Valencian specialities including caragols amb çeba (snails with onion), cruet de peix (fish stew), sea-urchins, coca a la lluma (a kind of pasty) and a wide variety of rice dishes.
Visit the town's museum, Museo Navarro Ramon, its Casa de Cultura (cultural centre) and its magnificent new arts and music centre, the Palau de las Artes. Ask at the tourist information centre, located on the seafront esplanade, for details of exhibitions, cultural activities and entertainment on offer during your stay.
For day trips and excursions, head inland into the magnificent Sierra Bernia mountain range - a magnet for walkers, climbers and sightseers. Visit the nearby Cactuslandia with its 1,000 varieties of cactus and exotic birds.
Take the train from Altea up the coast to the cosmopolitan town of Denia, or head south to Benidorm and Alicante.
Visit the Moorish mountain fortress at Guadalest, marvel at the stalagmites and stalactites in the incredible Cova del Rull in the Ebo Valley and the Peñon de Ifach at Calpe (a Gibraltar-style rock which is a protected reserve for sea life, flora and fauna).
For a family day out there are some top major attractions a short drive down the road at Benidorm - Spain's biggest theme park, Terra Mitica, the water world at Aqualandia and the exotic bird and marine life centre Mundomar.
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