How Much Does a Holiday in Altea Cost? Your 2026 Budget Guide

One of the questions I get asked most often — even after ten years of living here on the Costa Blanca — is: how much does a holiday in Altea actually cost? It's a fair question, because Altea has a reputation for being one of the more upmarket towns on this stretch of coast, and that puts some people off before they've even looked properly.

Here's the honest answer: Altea can be done on a mid-range budget without feeling like you're missing out, but it can also swallow a serious amount of money if you let it. The difference lies almost entirely in where you stay and how you eat. Let me break it down properly, month by month, category by category — the way a local would.

Accommodation Costs in Altea: What You'll Really Pay

Accommodation is by far the biggest variable. In September — which is, in my opinion, the absolute sweet spot for visiting — you'll find prices have dropped noticeably from the July and August peak but the weather is still stunning. Expect to pay:

• Budget (studio/small apartment): €70–€110 per night
• Mid-range (2-bed apartment with terrace or pool): €130–€200 per night
• Premium (villa or luxury apartment with sea views): €250–€500+ per night

Here's something most people don't realise until they've already paid: booking direct with a local agency saves you up to 18% compared to booking through Airbnb or Booking.com, once you factor in their service fees. JV Properties is a direct-booking agency based right here on the Costa Blanca — their holiday rentals in Altea range from cosy apartments in the old town to villas with private pools above the bay. Worth browsing their full listings before you commit anywhere else.

Food & Drink: From Tapas to Fine Dining

This is where Altea genuinely surprises people. Yes, there are expensive restaurants up in the casco antiguo targeting tourists — and some of them are worth it — but the day-to-day eating is far more affordable than you'd expect.

Breakfast: A coffee and a tostada con tomate at a local café on the seafront will set you back €2.50–€4.50. Avoid anywhere charging more than €6 for a basic breakfast; they're banking on you not knowing better.

Lunch (menú del día): This is the secret weapon of eating in Spain. The three-course set lunch with wine or water, offered Monday to Friday in most local restaurants, runs €12–€16 in Altea. El Puerto, down near the fishing harbour, does a solid one for €13. Absolute bargain.

Dinner: Budget €25–€45 per person in a mid-range restaurant with starters, main, dessert and wine. Fine dining at places like La Costera up in the old town can reach €60–€80 per person, but it's genuinely exceptional if you're celebrating something.

Supermarket shopping: Mercadona is your friend. It's a 10-minute walk from the old town, prices are reasonable, and self-catering even a few nights per week can dramatically cut your total food spend.

Daily food budget estimate: €35–€55 per person per day covers you comfortably for meals out, with a coffee and a beer thrown in.

Getting Around: Costs for Transport in Altea

Altea itself is very walkable once you're based centrally, but you'll want to explore the region.

• TRAM (coastal tram to Benidorm or Calpe): €2.85 each way — one of the best-value rides on the whole coast
• Taxi from Alicante airport: Expect €70–€90 depending on traffic and the company
• Car hire: From around €35–€60 per day in September (cheaper than summer peak). Parking in Altea's old town is limited and often paid — budget €4–€8 per day if you're driving.
• Bus (ALSA coastal services): €3–€5 for most local routes

For most families or couples, a hire car for at least part of the trip makes sense, especially if you want to explore the Serra Gelada natural park, the Guadalest valley, or the markets in Dénia.

Beaches, Activities & Attractions: What Things Cost

Most of Altea's best experiences are free. The casco antiguo, the beach promenade, the views from the church square — all free. But if you want to add activities:

• Sunbed & parasol hire (Playa del Albir or Altea main beach): €8–€14 per day
• Kayak rental: €15–€25 for two hours
• Paddleboard session: €20–€30 per hour
• Boat trip to Calpe's Peñón or the sea caves: €25–€45 per adult
• Entry to Guadalest castle village: €2.50 per adult
• Algar waterfalls: €5 per person (seasonal)

September is particularly good value because the tourist crowds have thinned but almost everything is still open and operating. Summer activity prices often drop slightly from late August onwards.

A Realistic Weekly Budget for Altea

Let me put this together for a couple, one week in September:

| Category | Budget Week | Mid-Range Week | Comfortable Week | |---|---|---|---| | Accommodation (7 nights) | €490–€700 | €910–€1,260 | €1,750–€2,800 | | Food & drink | €490–€700 | €700–€980 | €980–€1,400 | | Activities & outings | €100–€200 | €200–€350 | €350–€600 | | Transport (incl. airport) | €180–€250 | €280–€350 | €350–€500 | | Total (2 people) | €1,260–€1,850 | €2,090–€2,940 | €3,430–€5,300 |

Note that booking accommodation direct — rather than through a platform — is the single biggest lever you have on that total. An 18% saving on a €1,260 accommodation bill is over €200 back in your pocket for food, activities and a rather good bottle of local wine.

Is Altea Worth the Money?

Absolutely, yes. After ten years here, I still think Altea offers something genuinely special: a working fishing town with real character, a hilltop old town that rewards slow exploration, beaches that aren't yet swamped with the infrastructure of Benidorm, and a food scene that punches well above its weight.

The key is knowing where to spend and where to save. Spend on a good apartment with outdoor space — you'll use it constantly in September's warm evenings. Save on lunches by taking advantage of the menú del día. Spend on one or two quality dinners up in the casco antiguo. Save on transport by walking more than you think you need to.

Ready to start planning? Take a look at the holiday rentals in Altea from JV Properties — booking direct means no platform fees, direct communication with the property manager, and savings of up to 18% versus Airbnb. Search available properties for your dates and see what September has waiting for you.