Santorini has quickly become one of the most popular summer holiday destinations for Brits. However, the island has faced challenges recently, including a tourist tax and and earthquake evacuations, which has left many punters on the look out for alternatives.
If you’re after whitewashed buildings, clear blue skies and stunning beaches, one destination in Spain stands out. Altea, located on the Mediterranean coast, is widely known as the “Santorini of Spain” due to its hilltop old town and panoramic views.
The city lies in the Costa Blanca region on the southern coast of Spain. It’s just a stone’s throw away from Valencia and the popular seaside resort of Benidorm.
Altea boasts an old town, lined with whitewashed houses, artisan shops and small boutiques. The best way to explore the area is on foot, with a short climb offering stunning coastline views and sunsets akin to Santorini.
One popular sightseeing spot is the La Mare de Due del Consol church – “Our Lady of Solace”. The church is easily identifiable by its iconic blue and white domes tiled with glazed ceramics.
For those looking to spend their days relaxing on the beach, Playa de la Roda is the closest to the city. It has a pebbled beach with a lively promenade.
Altea also benefits from its own mild microclimate. The average daily temperature in September ranges from 22C to 28C. Meanwhile, temperatures can approach 30C during the summer months.
Altea is also popular on TripAdvisor. One visitor said: “Beautiful old town with wonderful pathways, shops, and lots of restaurants. Worth several hours and an easy walk to the beach if you like. More typical of the “white towns” that you see in and around Málaga.”
A second added: “A lovely characterful old town area – high on a hill so plenty of views available of sea and mountains. Seems to growing even more in popularity but then this place is quintessentially Spanish.
“Home to many bars and restaurants, with perhaps Oustau being the pick of the bunch. Taxis freely available to be collected from the arch (Arco).”
