If you've ever wandered through Altea's markets on a Tuesday morning with a paper bag of nectarines in one hand and a hand-painted ceramic tile in the other, you'll understand why so many people fall completely in love with this town. Shopping in Altea isn't a chore — it's one of the genuine pleasures of being here in June, when the stalls overflow with local peaches, first-of-season watermelons, and the kind of artisan crafts that simply don't exist in a shopping centre.
I've been living on the Costa Blanca for ten years. I know which market stalls to head for, which shops in the old town are worth your time, and where the tourist traps are lurking. Here's the honest local guide to shopping in Altea.
The Tuesday Market (Mercadillo de Altea) — Don't Miss It
The main weekly market in Altea runs every Tuesday morning on and around the Avenida del País Valencià, just below the old town. It kicks off around 8:30am and starts winding down after 2pm, so go early — both for the best produce and to avoid the worst of the June heat.
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Find rentals →This market is genuinely split into two worlds. On one side you've got the local food stalls: tomatoes grown in Callosa d'en Sarrià, fresh herbs, enormous bags of loose olives, almonds, dried figs and the incredible peaches from the valleys inland. Prices are honest and the quality is exceptional — this is where I do a big chunk of my weekly shopping in summer.
On the other side, you'll find textiles, cheap clothes, shoes, household goods and the occasional antique or vintage item if you dig around. It's not all gold, but there are genuine finds if you're patient. A few stallholders have been here for decades and know their stuff.
Practical tip: Parking near the Tuesday market fills up fast. Walk from the old town (10 minutes downhill) or use the car park on Calle Barranc de l'Olleria.
The Artisan Market in the Old Town
In June and throughout summer, the cobbled streets of Altea's old town host a regular artisan and craft market, typically running on weekend evenings. Local artists, ceramicists, jewellers and leather workers set up stalls under the whitewashed archways — it's a genuinely beautiful setting and the work is often excellent quality.
Look out for hand-painted azulejos (ceramic tiles) featuring Altea's famous blue-domed church — they make far better souvenirs than anything you'll find in a tourist shop, and most are made by artists who actually live in the area. Prices range from €5 for a small tile to €80–120 for a larger decorative piece.
The jewellery stalls are also worth stopping at. Several local designers work with silver and semi-precious stones, and you'll find things here that feel genuinely unique rather than mass-produced.
Browse our holiday rentals in Altea — staying centrally means you can walk to both markets without worrying about parking.
Shopping in the Old Town Streets
The streets climbing up through Altea's old town — particularly Calle Mayor and the lanes around Plaza de la Iglesia — are lined with small independent shops that reward slow browsing. This isn't a shopping street in any conventional sense; it's more a collection of artisan studios and galleries where artists actually work on the premises.
La Cerámica de Altea (look for the blue-tiled facade on Calle Mayor) is one of the longest-established ceramics workshops in town. The pieces are handmade and hand-painted, and you can watch the artists at work through the workshop window. Worth every cent.
For art, several small galleries on the streets leading to the church show work by local painters — mostly landscapes and seascapes of the Costa Blanca, which sounds touristy but can be genuinely impressive. Ask if the artist is local before you buy.
There are also a couple of good independent bookshops, a shop selling locally-produced olive oil and almonds (ideal gifts), and a handful of linen and homeware boutiques that have excellent summer collections.
The Mercadona and Day-to-Day Shopping
Practically speaking, the main Mercadona supermarket in Altea (on Avenida de la Marina Baixa, easy to reach by car) covers all your everyday needs. It's well-stocked, has a good fresh produce section, and sells decent local wines for €3–6 a bottle — perfect if you're self-catering in one of the holiday apartments in Altea.
There's also a Consum near the seafront and a Dia further down towards Altea la Vella. For fresh fish, the fish market (Lonja de Altea) sometimes has direct sales on the quayside — ask locally for current times, as these vary.
What to Buy in Altea: A Practical List
After ten years here, these are the things I'd actually recommend buying:
- Handmade ceramics — tiles, bowls, plates. Altea's ceramic tradition is genuine and the quality is high.
- Local almonds — from the mountains behind the town. Buy them raw or roasted with salt and take them home.
- Olive oil — look for oil from the Marina Baixa region specifically. Some of the small-batch oils sold at the market are outstanding.
- Hand-dyed linen — there are a couple of shops in the old town doing beautiful simple linens.
- Local wine — the Marina Alta DO produces underrated wines; bottles are often cheaper here than in the UK or Germany.
- Art — a small original painting is a better memento than any fridge magnet.
June Shopping Tips
June is a lovely time to explore Altea's markets and shops. The weather is warm but not yet oppressive, the artisan market is in full swing, and the Tuesday market is at its best for summer produce. A few practical points:
- Go to the Tuesday market before 10am for the best choice and cooler temperatures.
- Most shops in the old town close for siesta from roughly 2pm to 5:30pm — plan around this.
- Card payments are accepted in most shops now, but the market stalls are mostly cash-only. There's an ATM near the foot of the old town steps.
- Don't be afraid to chat to stallholders — most have interesting stories and will often point you toward other good spots.
Book Direct and Save
If you're planning a stay in Altea to enjoy the markets and the summer atmosphere, booking your accommodation directly through JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to booking through Airbnb or Booking.com. That's money better spent on ceramics, olive oil and a good lunch in the old town.
See all available Altea holiday rentals — we have properties ranging from studios perfect for couples to larger villas that work well for families or groups.
Altea in June is genuinely one of the best places on the Costa Blanca. The markets are the kind you remember for years — not because they're the biggest or flashiest, but because they're real.
