If you've been searching for the perfect romantic escape on the Costa Blanca, let me save you some time: Altea for couples is simply unbeatable. I've lived on this coastline for a decade, and I still catch my breath when I round the bend on the AP-7 and that iconic blue-domed church appears above the terracotta rooftops. Altea doesn't just look romantic — it feels it, in a way that Benidorm or even Calpe simply can't replicate.
September is, without question, the finest month to visit as a couple. The summer crowds have thinned, the sea is at its warmest (around 26°C), the light turns golden earlier in the evening, and the restaurants are at their absolute best — not rushed, not overbooked, just glorious. This guide is everything you need to plan the most romantic holiday you've ever had.
Why Altea Is Perfect for a Couples' Retreat
Altea sits between the frenetic energy of Benidorm (8km south) and the quieter elegance of Calpe (12km north). It's found its own lane entirely: bohemian, artistic, unhurried, and deeply beautiful. The old town — the Casco Antiguo — climbs a hill above the bay in a cascade of whitewashed walls, bougainvillea, and hand-painted ceramic street signs. Every corner is a photo waiting to happen.
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Find rentals →What makes it specifically couple-friendly is the pace. Altea isn't a party town. It's a place for long lunches that drift into long afternoons, for getting properly lost in cobbled lanes, for watching the sun sink into the Mediterranean from a terrace with a glass of something cold. The average visitor age skews older and more discerning, which means the restaurants are excellent, the noise is minimal, and the atmosphere is genuinely intimate.
Romantic Things to Do in Altea as a Couple
Wander the Old Town at Dawn or Dusk
The Casco Antiguo is magical at any hour, but the real secret is visiting either just after sunrise or in the hour before sunset. At 8am, you'll have the lanes almost entirely to yourselves — just the sound of swifts and distant church bells. In the early evening, the light turns amber and everything glows. Start at the Plaza de la Iglesia, sit on the church steps overlooking the bay, and give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing for a while. It's one of the most romantic spots on the entire Costa Blanca.
Take a Sunset Boat Trip
Several operators run private and small-group boat excursions from Altea's marina (Club Náutico Altea). A two-hour sunset trip along the coast — past the Morro de Toix headland and into the quieter coves north of town — is genuinely spectacular in September. Hire a small motorboat independently if you're confident on the water, or book a skippered trip for something more luxurious. Watching the sun drop behind the Sierra Bernia from the sea, with a cold cava in hand, is an experience that doesn't leave you quickly.
Dinner at L'Obrer or La Costera
For a genuinely romantic dinner in Altea, I keep coming back to two places. L'Obrer, tucked into the old town, is a small, candlelit restaurant with a seasonal menu that leans heavily on local fish and produce — the kind of place where you order the tasting menu and let the evening unfold. La Costera on Calle La Costera has been a local favourite for decades; it's not flashy, but the rice dishes and the terrace overlooking the bay tick every box. Book ahead in September — both fill up fast.
Spa Day at Cap Negret
The Hotel Cap Negret, just north of Altea's main beach, has a spa that's open to non-residents for day packages. It's not the most extravagant spa on the Costa Blanca, but the sea-view pool and treatment rooms are genuinely lovely, and a couple's massage followed by a long lunch is a perfect rainy-afternoon plan (not that September gives you many of those).
Wine Tasting in the Marina Alta
The wine region immediately behind Altea — the Marina Alta — produces some of Spain's most underrated whites, particularly Moscatel-based bottles from wineries like Bodegas Xaló. Book a private tasting at the winery, roughly 25 minutes inland through the mountain villages. Combine it with lunch in Jalón (Xaló) market town and you've got a full, wonderful day out.
Morning Coffee at Café del Mar (Altea)
Not the famous Ibiza one — the local version on the Passeig de l'Esplanada, right on the seafront. Grab two seats facing the bay, order cortados and a couple of tostadas con tomate, and watch the fishing boats. September mornings here are genuinely perfect: warm, calm, and unhurried.
Where to Stay as a Couple in Altea
For a romantic holiday, a private holiday rental in Altea almost always beats a hotel. You get a terrace, a kitchen for late breakfasts, privacy, and — critically — you're not sharing a pool with 200 other guests. Browse our curated selection of Altea holiday rentals and you'll find everything from hillside villas with infinity pools overlooking the bay to chic old-town apartments with exposed stone walls.
For couples specifically, I'd recommend looking at properties in the Altea Hills area (for those sweeping sea views) or in the Casco Antiguo itself (for the atmosphere and walkability). See available properties for your dates — and remember, booking direct with JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com, with the same quality guarantee and local support.
Practical Tips for Couples Visiting Altea in September
Getting around: Altea's old town is best explored on foot. For day trips to Calpe, Guadalest, or Benidorm, hire a car for maximum flexibility. Parking in town can be tight — use the free parking area near the Mercadona on the N-332 and walk up.
Budget: September is shoulder season, so accommodation prices drop noticeably from August peaks. Expect to pay €80–150 per night for a quality rental, €60–100 for a romantic dinner for two with wine, and €30–50pp for a boat excursion.
Language: Altea is a genuinely bilingual town (Spanish and Valencian). English is spoken in most restaurants and shops. A few words of Spanish always go down well.
Best beaches for couples: Playa de l'Aigüera (quieter, local feel) and the pebbly Playa del Charco (small, intimate). The main Playa de Altea is larger and livelier but still lovely in September.
The Bottom Line
Altea is one of those rare places that seems designed for romance — not artificially, not kitschily, but in the way that genuinely beautiful places have a warmth that gets under your skin. September is its finest hour. The sea is warm, the crowds are manageable, the light is golden, and the restaurants are ready for you.
Explore holiday rentals in Altea and start planning the romantic escape you've been putting off. Booking direct with JV Properties means you'll save up to 18% on the same property vs. Airbnb — and you'll have a local team on the ground if you need anything.
Altea is waiting. And it's worth it.
