Altea is one of those rare places where you genuinely struggle to leave. The whitewashed lanes, the terrace coffee, the sea glittering below the blue-domed church — it has a magnetic pull. But after ten years living here, I can tell you that the best day trips from Altea are half the reason I've never wanted to move anywhere else. Within an hour in any direction, you've got medieval castles, flamingo lagoons, mountain villages, and a world-class city that somehow feels undiscovered.
Here's my personal shortlist — eight excursions that I recommend to every guest who stays in one of our holiday rentals in Altea. Most are under 45 minutes by car. None of them require a tour group.
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Find rentals →1. Guadalest: The Mountain Village in the Clouds (25 min)
No list of day trips from Altea is complete without Guadalest. This tiny medieval village — population around 200 — sits on a rocky spike above a turquoise reservoir and has been voted one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Drive up through the Serra de Aitana, park in the main lot (around €2), and walk through a tunnel carved into the rock to reach the castle ruins above.
The views are extraordinary, especially in June when the surrounding valleys are lush and the reservoir is full. Allow two to three hours. There are half a dozen good restaurants in the village — I always stop at La Posada for a cold Estrella and some locally made sobrasada toast.
Practical tip: Go on a Tuesday or Thursday morning to avoid the coach tour crowds. By 10am on weekends it gets busy fast.
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2. Benidorm: Unironically Worth a Day (15 min)
I know, I know. But hear me out. Benidorm is just 15 minutes south and if you approach it right — as a fascinating urban experiment rather than a holiday cliché — it's genuinely fun. Playa de Levante is one of the finest stretches of sand on the Mediterranean. The old town is surprisingly atmospheric. And if you're travelling with teenagers, Terra Mítica theme park is right there.
For a more local experience, head to the Rincón de Loix neighbourhood for late-night tapas, or take the glass-bottom boat trip from the beach — kids go mad for it and it's only about €12 per person.
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3. El Penyal d'Ifac (Calpe): Climb the Rock (30 min)
The Peñón de Ifach in Calpe is one of the most dramatic natural landmarks on the Costa Blanca — a 332-metre limestone monolith rising straight from the sea. The hike to the summit takes about two hours return and involves a narrow tunnel near the top (bring a torch). The views from up there stretch to Ibiza on a clear day.
Calpe itself deserves a wander — the fish market (lonja) runs most mornings and the prawn (gamba roja de Denia, technically, but caught here too) is legendary. Browse our properties if you want a base between Altea and Calpe.
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4. Denia: A Proper Spanish Town (45 min)
Denia sits at the foot of Montgó mountain, 45 minutes north of Altea, and it's one of my favourite day trips because it feels like the real Spain — not particularly touristy, with a serious food culture and a Moorish castle you can walk through for free.
The Lonja de Denia sells the famous red prawns that chefs across Spain pay a fortune for. The morning market on Calle Patricio Ferrándiz is excellent for local produce. And if you time it right, the ferry to Ibiza leaves from here — a potential adventure if you want to turn a day trip into something longer.
June bonus: Denia's Festes de Moros i Cristians run in late June — an explosion of costume, music and mock battles that is absolutely worth scheduling around.
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5. Alicante City: Culture, Food & the Castle (55 min)
Alicante is close enough for a day trip but substantial enough to feel like a proper city escape. Take the AP-7 south and you're there in under an hour. The priority is Castillo de Santa Bárbara — free to enter via the lift from the beach, with panoramic views that rival anything on the coast.
After the castle, walk the Explanada de España (the palm-lined promenade), browse the Mercado Central for local produce, and eat lunch in the Barrio de Santa Cruz where the restaurants are cheaper and better than the seafront spots. The MARQ archaeology museum is world-class and often gets overlooked.
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6. Guadalest Valley Villages: Polop & Callosa d'en Sarrià (15–25 min)
Most visitors drive straight through Polop de la Marina on the way to Guadalest, which is a shame — it's a gem of a village with a castle ruin, a famous fuente (fountain) with dozens of spouts, and a great Saturday market. Then continue up to Callosa d'en Sarrià, the nispero (loquat) capital of Spain, and from there it's a short drive to the Fonts d'Algar waterfalls — natural pools perfect for a June swim when the sea still feels slightly cool to some.
This mini-circuit takes a full day but feels worlds away from the coast.
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7. Jávea (Xàbia): The Rocky Cove Capital (35 min)
If Altea is the artists' Costa Blanca, Jávea is the sailors'. Set around the Cabo de la Nau headland, it has three distinct areas — the old town, the port, and the beach — each with its own personality. The Granadella cove is arguably the most beautiful swimming spot on the entire Costa Blanca: crystal-clear water, pine trees, no high-rises. It gets packed by July, so June is the ideal moment.
For lunch: La Perla de Jávea at the port does a remarkable arroz a banda and is worth booking ahead.
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8. Sierra de Bernia: The Forgotten Ridge (20 min)
For something different — and a little-known one even among long-term expats — drive up to the Serra de Bernia ridge just behind Altea. There's a circular hiking route that passes through a Roman arch and a ruined 16th-century fort, with views down to Altea, Calpe and the Peñón. It takes about 3.5 hours and you genuinely might not see another person.
Bring water, wear proper shoes, and go early in June — it gets hot on the exposed sections by midday.
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Practical Notes for Day Trips from Altea
Getting around: A hire car is essential for most of these. Altea has limited public transport links to the interior. Pick one up at Alicante or Valencia airport on arrival.
Best time: June is ideal — the roads and attractions are busy but not overwhelmed. By July and August, Guadalest and Granadella can feel genuinely heaving.
Where to stay: Having a comfortable base in Altea makes all the difference. View our holiday rentals in Altea — booking direct with JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to platforms like Airbnb, and you get a real local contact for advice like this.
Altea punches well above its size as a holiday base. You're not just getting a pretty village — you're getting a launchpad for some of the best day trips on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
