Valencia, Alicante, Altea, Spain

Fantastic apartment in the Piteres area of Altea, close to the old town, the beach, schools, the university, and all local amenities. Ideal for moving into! Opportunity!

The picturesque tourist town of Altea is located in the Marina BaJa region, on the Mediterranean coast of the Gulf of Altea, south of Calpe and north of Alfaz del Pi. The long mountain range of the Sierra Bernia separates Calpe from Altea.

The town is part of Douzelage, the association of twin towns of the European Union, and is the official cultural capital of the Valencian Community.

Very peaceful and welcoming, Altea has always attracted brilliant and creative people, and in the mid-20th century, there was a whole colony of artists, authors, and musicians who turned the town into a bohemian place.

There are a large number of art galleries and craft workshops featuring ceramics and jewellery. And, in its cultural centre, the Palau de Altea, where Montserrat Caballé and Rostropovich performed, concerts by major orchestras and opera and pop stars from around the world, as well as exhibitions and theatre productions, are programmed.

Altea has a Faculty of Fine Arts of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche.

Interestingly, in honour of the town, Seat named one of its sports MPV models the Seat Altea.

The town's name probably comes from the Greek Althaia, meaning "I cure," or from the Arabic word a aláya (watchtower).

During Muslim rule, Altea belonged to the taifa of Denia until it was reconquered by Christian troops in 1244, under the command of James I of Aragon.

The 18th century in Altea was marked by agricultural, fishing, commercial, and demographic growth. And during the 19th century, official and commercial life moved to the urban centre by the sea.

Altea differs from the rest of the towns on the Costa Blanca with its pebble beaches and narrow streets with white houses covered by tiled roofs, so reminiscent of a snow-white Andalusian village.

Cobblestone paths, located on the slopes of the Old Town, lead to the Catholic church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, which has become a symbol of Altea. Its blue and white dome is often called the "Dome of the Mediterranean."

The ruins of the 16th-century Fort of Bernia and the Bellaguarda and La Galera watchtowers (from the 16th-17th centuries) have survived to this day.

In Altea is the first Orthodox church built in Spain, the Temple of the Archangel Saint Michael. It was built with money from parishioners living in Altea Hills, one of the most affluent residential areas in Altea. A third of the foreigners here are Russian.

Furthermore, real estate in the town is mainly bought by British, German, and Scandinavian people.

Their choice is not surprising; quiet and serene, Altea appeals to lovers of peace and privacy.