When you walk through the cobbled streets of Altea’s old town today — white houses, those unmistakable blue domes rising above the rooftops — it’s hard to imagine that this corner of the Costa Blanca has been witnessing history for thousands of years. Altea isn’t just a pretty postcard village. It’s a place where civilisations crossed paths, where legends took root, and where a distinctly Mediterranean character has survived every era. From the Iberians to modern artists, each period has left its mark on this luminous town open to the sea. This is the story of Altea — and once you know it, you’ll never look at it quite the same way.
THE FIRST SETTLERS AND ANCIENT ORIGINS
Altea’s origins go back well before its founding as a Christian settlement. The area was inhabited from the Neolithic period onwards, as confirmed by remains found in the Sierra de Bernia. Later, during the Iberian period, significant settlements developed in what is now Altea la Vella. Necropolises and ceramic fragments dating to the 6th century BC point to Iberian communities engaged in trade and agriculture.
Its strategic position — beside the Algar river and facing the Mediterranean — also attracted Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians. Historians suggest the name “Altea” may derive from the Greek Althaia (she who heals), a reference to the medicinal properties the ancients attributed to the river’s waters. Others argue it comes from the Arabic Atalaya, referring to the watchtowers that once dominated the coastline.
ROMAN ALTEA AND ITS ROLE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
During the Romanisation of Hispania, the Altea area remained significant. Remains of Roman villas, coins, and ceramics have been found, pointing to a continuous presence over centuries. The mouth of the Algar river served as a small natural harbour, supporting trade in agricultural goods and fish.
Although no major Roman city has been documented in Altea, its territory formed part of the province of Tarraconensis and functioned as an agricultural outpost complementing the larger coastal cities of the region.
THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD: CONQUEST, RESETTLEMENT AND DEFENCES
After the fall of the Roman Empire and the arrival of the Visigoths, the area entered a period of relative obscurity before the Muslim expansion. From the 8th century, Altea fell under the domain of the Taifa of Dénia. The Muslims fortified the town and developed agriculture based on sophisticated irrigation systems, some of whose traces can still be found today.
In 1244, King James I of Aragon reconquered the territory. To consolidate Christian control, a carta puebla (settlement charter) was granted in 1279, encouraging repopulation by Christian settlers. The defensive nucleus was established in the area now known as Bellaguarda, on an elevated position protected by walls.
Repeated raids by Berber pirates forced Altea to strengthen its coastal defences throughout the 14th and 15th centuries. Surveillance was organised around a series of towers, including the Torre de Bellaguarda and the Torre de la Galera.
FROM MEDIEVAL VILLAGE TO FISHING PORT
From the 17th century onwards, the town began expanding beyond its medieval walls. A new settlement charter in 1617 encouraged fresh inhabitants, gradually shifting the centre of life toward the coast.
The reason was economic: the growth of fishing and maritime trade made proximity to the sea increasingly attractive. This is where the foundations of Altea’s fishing port were laid.
At the same time, agriculture remained central to daily life, with orange groves, almond trees, and vineyards shaping the landscape in ways that are still visible today.
THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES: GROWTH AND SEAFARING LIFE
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Altea experienced significant demographic and economic growth. The population surpassed 5,000 and maritime trade flourished. Altea’s fishermen became specialists in species prized across Mediterranean markets.
Architecturally, the village was taking on its current character: whitewashed houses, narrow streets, and terraces open to the sea. This style wasn’t just aesthetic — it was a practical response to the heat of summer.
Religious festivals and popular traditions consolidated during this period, many of which are still celebrated today.
THE 20TH CENTURY: ARTISTS AND THE TOURIST BOOM
The 20th century brought decisive changes to Altea. During the 1950s and 1960s, artists began arriving in significant numbers, drawn by the light, the quiet, and the beauty of the town. Painters like Eberhard Schlotter, along with writers and musicians, found in Altea a creative refuge.
This coincided with the beginning of tourism on the Costa Blanca. Unlike other towns that embraced mass development, Altea chose a different path. Thanks to protective planning regulations, the old town has preserved its traditional character to this day.
Tourism has brought prosperity — but Altea managed to keep the balance between growth and conservation in a way that very few places on this coastline can claim.
MONUMENTS AND HERITAGE THAT TELL THE STORY
Visitors to Altea today can experience its history directly through what’s still standing:
Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo — the icon of the town, with its blue and white domes. The current structure dates from the early 20th century, built over an earlier church on the same site.
Defensive towers — the Torre de Bellaguarda and Torre de la Galera are reminders of the centuries when this coastline was exposed to pirate raids.
Altea la Vella — the original inland nucleus of the settlement, with a rural charm and visible historical remains.
Ethnographic museum — a thorough look at how life in Altea evolved across the centuries.
And then there’s the old town itself — its streets, viewpoints, and squares are a living monument. You don’t need a guided tour to feel the history; just walk.
FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS ROOTED IN HISTORY
Altea’s festivals are a direct expression of its identity:
Moros y Cristianos — re-enacting the medieval struggles between Muslims and Christians, a tradition shared across much of the Valencian Community.
Castell de l’Olla — a spectacular fireworks display over the sea, celebrating the town’s deep connection with its maritime surroundings.
Fiestas de San Blas and San Juan — tied to agricultural traditions and rituals of renewal.
Ruta de les Ermites — a religious and popular tradition that winds through the various hermitages scattered across the municipal area.
These celebrations don’t just keep historical memory alive — they hold the community together and give Altea a cultural depth that sets it apart from towns that rely purely on their scenery.
A LIVING HISTORY IN EVERY CORNER
Altea isn’t just a beautiful backdrop for tourist photographs. It’s a place with a soul, where every street, every stone, and every festival connects the past to the present.
Understanding Altea’s history lets you appreciate its present more fully — why the houses are white, why the old town remained intact, why artists kept arriving and stayed. None of it is accidental.
On your next visit, take a moment to get lost in the backstreets, listen to what the town is telling you, and discover for yourself why Altea is considered one of the true jewels of the Mediterranean.
