What's it like to live in Altea?

It's a well-loved holiday retreat, best known for its postcard-perfect streets, but what's it like to live in Altea? Thanks to the talented artists, musicians and chefs living here year-round, this community hub has an enviable social scene and a lively events calendar.

People living in Altea enjoy a laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle without compromising on culture. Ancient festivals, art exhibitions and gigs regularly pop up in the old town, while yoga and pilates classes take place on the beach.

Some local restaurants make the most of the ocean-fresh seafood, while others make inventive Italian dishes using local ingredients. Lots have stunning ocean views from the sea-facing terraces – the perfect pairing for a romantic dinner.

And no matter how beautiful the town is, the sea is always the star. There are countless ways to enjoy the sparkling turquoise abyss, from wild coastal walks to diving excursions with octopus and sunfish beneath the waves.  

Wondering where to live in Altea? The feel of the town will vary depending on where you're based. The traditional townhouses in the old town are totally gorgeous, and usually feature wrought iron balconies and pretty courtyards. Looking for more space? Altea La Vella is a 10-minute drive away. The neighbourhood has a village feel thanks to a sprinkling of restaurants and shops on the main street. Altea Hills is slightly more remote and offers luxurious plots with lots of privacy.  
 

Living in Altea: essential information

Altea is a city and municipality based in the Valencian Community. According to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística, the municipality of Altea had a population of 24,020 in 2023, and 37.5% of that was foreigners.

It's a popular spot for people moving to Spain, and walking through the streets it's common to hear a variety of languages being spoken. Aside from Spanish, the most common nationalities of residents are British, South American and Romanian.

Healthcare in Altea

Both public and private healthcare have an excellent reputation in Spain, and Altea has good access to both. There are two centros de salud in the town, these health centres will be the first point of contact for any health issues.

For further treatment or emergencies, there's a public hospital called Hospital Marina Baixa around a 20-minute drive away. Hospital IMED Levante is a private hospital based in Benidorm, around an 18-minute drive away. It has over 100 beds, an intensive care unit and a fertility clinic. Altea is also home to a number of private healthcare specialists, including physiotherapists, postpartum care, sports massage and pilates instructors.  

Working in Altea

Altea has a thriving tourism industry, but it is rather compact. Moving to Altea and hoping to find a hospitality job? For a better chance of landing an interview, extend the search to the surrounding area; places like Benidorm offer an even wider selection of hotel, restaurant and bar jobs. If there's a specific hotel you have your eye on, check the website for careers pages. SH Villa Gadea and Hotel Cap Negret, for example, have application pages where job hunters can get in touch and upload their CV. Check turijobs.com for vacancies like chefs, waiters and hotel receptionists. For a broader range of industries, search infojobs.net for posts such as sales assistants, mechanics and estate agents.

Freelancers have the option of working from home or reserving a sunny desk at one of the co-working spaces around town. At Lab Altea, hot deskers can pop in for the day, book a desk for a month for €100, or hire the meeting room with a 43" smart television by the hour. Co-working Altea offers bright shared offices from €180 per month. What's more, the internet speed is fairly fast, around 140 mbps according to Fair Internet Report.

And if the dream is to set up a business in Spain, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce hosts free workshops and offers information on how to apply for government grants. 

Schools and Education in Altea

Making the move to Spain with a family in tow? There are some excellent public schools to choose from in Altea, including the well-regarded CEIP Altea La Vella de Altea. Public schools are taught in a mixture of Valencian and Spanish (with a small percentage of English). The percentages of each language vary according to the schools and the bilingual laws – these laws do fluctuate depending on the government so do keep an eye on it. At CEIP Altea La Vella de Altea, classes are 40% Valencian, 44% Spanish and 16% English.

There are two private schools nearby which follow the British curriculum and are taught largely in English. AIS International School is a private school with a Steiner and Waldorf-inspired ethos. Here, equal emphasis is placed on academia, art and emotional development. The campus is beautiful: an old manor house on a hilltop surrounded by pine trees and spectacular views of the coast.

Victorious International British School is another private school which has private access to a quiet corner of the beach, which they use for practical sessions and outdoor activities. Classes are taught in English, and extracurricular activities include ballet, cooking and art. Check out our guide to finding the right school in Spain, for more information about the Spanish education system.

Transport in Altea

Altea is very well connected thanks to a small train station to the south of the town. From here, it's a one hour journey to the centre of Alicante, where you'll find a hefty dose of cosmopolitan bars and cafes, as well as the international airport.

There's also a scenic coastal tram called Tram Alicante which runs between Benidorm and Denia. This charming route ferries passengers between the prettiest towns on the seafront, including Altea. Take the tram to Benidorm for quick train lines to cities like Valencia and Murcia. A one-way tram ticket in one zone costs €1.45. People aged 65 and over can enjoy a monthly travel card for just €9.70.

A car is best for exploring the mountain ranges and natural parks inland. If a car is the option you decide to go for, check out our guide to driving in Spain with a UK licence. 
 

Things to do in Altea

Visit art galleries

In the 1960's Altea was a hippy hub of artists and creatives. Things have changed slightly since then, but there are still pockets of creativity to be found. Visit La Imprenta Art Lab to watch silversmiths hammering jewellery, find charming paintings in the Bougainvillea-covered Estudio de Arte, or browse artwork in the rustic Fundación Eberhard Schlotter. One of the biggest dates on the town's calendar is Nit de l'Art Altea; every June it fills the streets with makers and music.

Sunbathe on quiet coves

The town of Altea has the dreamiest beaches scattered around its feet. Playa de la Roda is on the main stretch, and it's filled with restaurants, bars and chalky white pebbles. Playa de la Olla is another quiet pebbly coastline, strewn with small boats and fishing gear. Playa de Solsida is a secluded cove with romantic views of the mountains.

Feast in restaurants

Altea has an eclectic food scene to discover. Find handmade pasta and Italian wine in the cosy, candle-lit Quel Que Quieres and exquisite pastries - from pistachio macarons to fresh fruit tartlets - in De Sabors Patissiers. Rosa's Cafe is a popular spot with local expats, best known for its hefty burgers and healthy smoothies. And keen foodies needn't travel far to find Michelin stars. El Xato is a 15-minute drive away in the town of La Nucia. Here, Christine Figueira cooks traditional tapas with an inventive spark.

Swim beneath wild waterfalls

Just a 25-minute drive from Altea, Las Fuentes del Algar is a hush-hush nature reserve where locals come to cool off in the summer. They swim in emerald green water beneath stunning waterfalls, before setting off on the walking route through the lush landscape. Pack a picnic or refuel in one of the local restaurants in the adjacent village.

Hike beautiful coastal paths 

Paseo Ecológico de Benissa is a 4km family-friendly walking route which shows off the best scenery and coves. Start at Tourist Info Benissa Playa and follow the path downhill, following it as it hugs the coast. The walk is mapped out by a series of information plaques, which point out the local fauna and flora and point you in the right direction. It takes around two hours to complete the whole route, more if you bring a picnic. Sandwiches are best enjoyed overlooking the sparkling emerald water on Cala Pinets. 

Visit Spain's first Russian Orthodox Church 

Completed in 1999, Iglesia Ortodoxa del Arcángel San Miguel is a replica of a characteristic Russian Orthodox church from the 17th century, made with Russian wood flown in from the Ural Mountains. It's a stunner, and outside of church services people can visit for €3.

Watch the Ballet

Tucked away behind the old town, Palau Altea shows a well-edited selection of theatre, music and dance. Swoon at Swan lake or chuckle at Polar, a tongue-in-cheek comedy that takes aim at the ecological crisis. 

Expat Clubs and Activities in Altea

Altea has a vibrant expat community – clubs and activities around the town throw up lots of opportunities to get to know the neighbours. Altea Hills Tennis Club is a hot pot of different nationalities, all brought together over their love of tennis. The club welcomes people of all ages, and is proud to have members well into their eighties. Join the WhatsApp group to set up matches with fellow locals.

Sailing is another popular pastime for people living in Altea, and joining Club Náutico de Altea is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the local community. Members can enjoy sailing classes, join in with regattas and even sign up to the nautical-themed reading club.

Feeling crafty? Promising inner peace and creative release, the mandala art and mindfulness group at Arum Altea combines aromatherapy, music, drawing and meditation. Join in with weekly classes or pop in for a one-off wine and painting session. 

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