Altea is one of those rare places where you genuinely struggle to leave. The cobbled lanes of the old town, that blue-domed church catching the morning light, the pebble beaches going golden in the afternoon — it's a strong argument for never moving from your sun lounger. But here's the thing: Altea sits at the very heart of the Costa Blanca, which means you're within striking distance of some of the most spectacular scenery, history and food in Spain. These day trips from Altea are ones I've done repeatedly over the past decade, and I still look forward to every single one.
Why Altea Is the Perfect Base for Costa Blanca Day Trips
Altea's position on the N-332 and the AP-7 motorway puts you within 45 minutes of Alicante city, 20 minutes from Benidorm and Calpe, and under two hours from Valencia. The train station (TRAM Metropolitano) is a short walk from the centre and connects you north to Denia and south to Alicante without needing a car. That said, for most of these excursions I'd recommend renting a car — it opens up the Sierra de Bernia, the inland mountain villages and the quieter coves that buses simply don't reach. June is a brilliant month for all of these: temperatures are warm but not yet brutal, the crowds are building but not overwhelming, and the light is extraordinary from about 7am right through to the long June sunsets.
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Find rentals →1. Guadalest — The Mountain Village in the Clouds (30 min)
Every visitor to the Costa Blanca should see Guadalest at least once, and from Altea it's barely half an hour up into the mountains. The village sits on a dramatic rocky outcrop above a turquoise reservoir, accessed through a tunnel carved into the cliff. Yes, it gets busy in peak summer — go early, by 9am, and you'll have the castle and the views almost to yourself. The Museo de Miniaturas is genuinely impressive, and the local almond products are worth loading up on. I've driven this road dozens of times and the views over the Embalse de Guadalest never get old.
Practical tip: Park at the main car park (€3) below the village and walk up. Takes about 10 minutes.
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2. Calpe & the Peñón de Ifach (20 min)
You can see the Peñón de Ifach — that giant limestone rock erupting from the sea — from Altea's beach on a clear day. Up close it's even more dramatic. The Natural Park walk to the summit (332m) takes about 2 hours return and goes through an actual tunnel in the rock face, emerging to views that stretch all the way to Ibiza on a clear day. Calpe's Playa de la Fossa is one of the best sandy beaches on this stretch of coast, and the fish restaurants along the harbour (try Restaurante Peix & Brases or simply walk the Lonja — the fish market) are among the best value on the Costa Blanca. June is perfect for this — the heat hasn't yet made the Peñón climb punishing.
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3. Alicante City — History, Food & a Stunning Castle (45 min)
Alicante is a proper Spanish city that happens to have a fantastic beach. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara sits on a rocky headland above the city, accessible by lift through the mountain (€4 return), and the views over the harbour and the Costa Blanca coastline are worth every cent. Down below, the Explanada de España is one of Spain's great promenades, lined with palm trees and mosaic-tiled paving. The Mercado Central is excellent for lunch — grab a beer and some jamón and soak it up. The old Barrio de Santa Cruz, directly below the castle, has fantastic tapas bars. Allow a full day.
By train: The TRAM from Altea to Alicante takes around 1 hour 20 minutes and costs about €5 each way. A genuinely lovely journey along the coast.
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4. Benidorm — Yes, Really (20 min)
I know, I know. But hear me out. Benidorm's beaches — particularly Playa de Levante — are genuinely beautiful: wide, clean, fine golden sand and calm water. The Mirador del Castillo viewpoint over the two bays is one of the best views on the entire coast. The old town has good tapas bars that the package tourists never find. And in June, before the full school-holiday surge, it's manageable. Go for the beach and the view, have a long lunch in the casco antiguo, and you'll return to Altea with a slightly revised opinion.
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5. Denia & the Montgó Natural Park (50 min)
Denia is one of those towns that rewards repeat visits. The castle overlooking the port is impressive, the beach at Las Marinas stretches for miles, and the ferry to Ibiza and Formentera leaves from here if you fancy a spontaneous island day trip. But the real highlight for me is the Montgó Natural Park — a massive limestone massif that dominates the landscape between Denia and Jávea. The walk from the Ermita del Pare Pere up to the summit is a serious 4-hour hike but rewards with 360-degree views over the Balearics and the entire Costa Blanca. Do it early in June before the heat builds.
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6. Jávea (Xàbia) — The Prettiest Bay on the Coast (45 min)
Jávea is one of those places locals go when they want to feel like they're on holiday themselves. The Granadella cove — technically between Jávea and Cumbre del Sol — is one of the most beautiful bays in Spain: crystal-clear water, pine trees right down to the water, a good beach bar, and snorkelling that'll make you feel like you're in a nature documentary. The Jávea old town is compact and charming, and the fish on the port is excellent. In June, Granadella is accessible and not yet sardine-tin packed — go on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning for best results.
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7. Polop & the Inland Villages — A Different Costa Blanca (20 min)
Just 15km inland from Altea, Polop de la Marina feels like a different world: a hillside village of narrow streets, a hilltop castle ruin, and a famous fuente with 221 water spouts. Nearby Confrides and Benimantell are equally beautiful and almost entirely tourist-free. Pack a picnic, drive the CV-70 through the Guadalest Valley (genuinely one of the most scenic roads in Spain), stop for coffee in Benimantell, and be back in Altea for sunset. It costs almost nothing and reminds you that the Costa Blanca isn't just beaches.
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8. Valencia — Spain's Most Underrated City (1h 45min)
For a longer day out, Valencia deserves at least a full day — ideally a night too. The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias is genuinely one of the most extraordinary pieces of modern architecture anywhere in Europe. The old town's Barrio del Carmen is a labyrinth of bars, galleries and street art. And the Mercado Central — a stunning modernist building — serves what many argue is the best fresh produce market in Spain. Valencia is also the home of paella, and eating it here, properly made with Valencian rice and local ingredients, is a genuine revelation. Go by car on the AP-7 or take the Alvia train from Villena or Alicante.
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Where to Stay in Altea
Altea works brilliantly as a base for all of these excursions precisely because it's central, connected, and genuinely lovely to come home to. We have a range of holiday rentals in Altea — from apartments in the old town to villas with private pools in the hills above the bay. Browse all available properties and book direct with JV Properties to save up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com. No hidden fees, no platform surcharges — just honest prices and a team that actually knows this coastline.
June is a wonderful time to base yourself here: warm enough for the beach, cool enough for the mountain excursions, and just before the absolute peak-season crowds arrive. If you're planning a trip, check availability for Altea rentals now — the best properties go fast.
