If there's one thing that stops people dead in their tracks the first time they visit Altea, it's the light. That warm, amber Mediterranean glow that floods the white-domed church, tumbles down the cobbled lanes of the old town, and sets the entire Bay of Altea on fire every single evening. After ten years living here on the Costa Blanca, I'm still not bored of it. I still take the long route home sometimes just to catch the right angle.
Altea's sunset viewpoints are genuinely among the best on the entire Spanish coast — and that's not just local pride talking. The town sits at exactly the right latitude and faces the right direction, with the Sierra Bernia mountains behind and the open sea ahead, creating a natural amphitheatre of colour every evening from about 7pm onwards in September. Here's where to position yourself.
1. The Church Square (Plaza de la Iglesia) — The Classic for a Reason
Every travel photo of Altea you've ever seen was probably taken from here or nearby. The terrace in front of the blue-and-white tiled dome of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo faces almost due west, and on clear evenings the sun drops directly into the sea on the horizon. Get here at least 30 minutes early in September — the crowds are smaller than August but this spot fills up fast. There are a couple of small bars right on the square where you can get a glass of local white wine for around €3. Sit, wait, watch. That's genuinely all you need to do.
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Find rentals →Pro tip: the very best angle for photos is from the narrow lane called Carrer Major as it opens onto the square — you get the dome, the bell tower, and the sea all in one frame.
2. The Mirador del Cap Negret
About 2km north of Altea's centre, the rocky headland of Cap Negret offers a completely different perspective. You're lower down here, almost at sea level, looking back south towards Altea's skyline with the church dome silhouetted against the sunset. It's particularly magical in September when the sea is still warm and utterly calm, and the light goes golden-pink for a full 20 minutes before disappearing. Reach it by walking north along the Paseo Marítimo from the centre — it takes about 25 minutes on foot or you can park near the Hotel Cap Negret. Bring a blanket if you're going in the evening; it gets breezy on the rocks.
3. The Hilltop Road Above the Old Town (Carretera de la Sierra)
Most tourists never find this one, which is exactly why I love it. Drive or walk up through the old town past the church and continue on the road that winds up into the hills behind Altea. After about 1.5km you'll find a small pull-off area on the left with an unobstructed view back over the entire bay — Altea in the foreground, Benidorm's skyline in the distance to the south, and the whole sweep of the coast. At sunset in September this view is genuinely jaw-dropping. There are no facilities here, just a barrier rail and the best panorama on the Costa Blanca. Take your own drinks.
4. Altea La Vella Terraces
The newer residential area of Altea La Vella sits on a hillside above the main town and is full of private villas — but the public road that runs through it offers several spots where you can pull over and look west. Less romantic than the church square, admittedly, but completely crowd-free and with a wider angle of view. Good option if you're staying in a holiday rental in this area and want a quiet evening with a bottle of wine and nobody around.
5. The Harbour Wall at Sunset
Altea's small fishing harbour (Puerto Pesquero) has a stone breakwater that you can walk to the end of. Stand on the outer wall at golden hour and you're surrounded by water on three sides with the old town rising above you to the east and the open Mediterranean to the west. It's one of those spots that feels almost impossibly cinematic. The fishermen tend to be bringing their catches in around this time too, which adds a nice layer of authenticity. September is perfect for this because the tourist boat traffic has reduced but the sea is still mirror-flat.
The Best Month for Sunsets in Altea
September is, honestly, my favourite month for sunsets here. The air has cleared after the August haze, the light is softer and more golden, and the sun sets at around 7:45pm — late enough that you've finished dinner but early enough to enjoy the full show without staying up. Temperatures on the terrace are around 25°C at sunset time, so you're comfortable without being too hot. If you're planning a holiday to catch Altea at its most beautiful, September in Altea is genuinely hard to beat.
Practical Tips for Sunset Watching in Altea
What to bring: A light layer for after sunset (it cools quickly), a fully charged phone or camera, and something to drink — supermarkets are cheap and there are several on the main road.
Getting there: The church square is easiest on foot from anywhere in the old town. For Cap Negret and the hilltop road, a car or rental bike is useful. Parking in Altea's old town is limited; try the free car park near the Mercadona on the N-332.
Best days: Sunsets after a hot clear day are spectacular. After a cloudy afternoon you often get dramatic orange-and-pink cloud formations that are arguably even better. Don't give up on a slightly overcast evening.
Cost: Completely free, other than whatever you choose to drink.
Stay in Altea and Wake Up to It Every Day
The best way to experience Altea's light — morning, golden hour, sunset, the lot — is to stay here for a week and let it become part of your rhythm. Our holiday rentals in Altea range from apartments in the old town with rooftop terraces (genuinely unbeatable for sunsets) to villas in the hills with private pools and panoramic views.
Booking direct through JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com — that's money better spent on a bottle of local Alicante wine and a front-row seat to the best free show on the Costa Blanca.
Altea has been painting the sky for thousands of years. All you have to do is show up.
