Stunning city just six miles from Benidorm is like 'being on a different planet'

Altea is simply a beauteous metropolis conscionable six miles from Benidorm connected the Costa Blanca and is the implicit antithesis to the boisterous edifice - offering a unsocial consciousness of tranquillity

A stunning seaside city, conscionable a stone's propulsion distant from Benidorm, feels similar it's worlds apart.

When you deliberation of an all-inclusive, sun-drenched, boozy bundle vacation successful confederate Spain, the sanction that apt springs to caput is Benidorm. Brits constitution the bulk of visitors to this beachside haven, with galore treating it arsenic a 2nd home.

Each year, astir a cardinal UK holidaymakers flock present for a week oregon 2 of indulgence, soaking up immoderate much-needed sunshine. Many volition enactment wrong their resorts for the duration, but if they knew astir the region's breathtaking landscapes, historical towns, and stunning coastline, they mightiness task further.

While determination are countless section areas astir Benidorm worthy exploring, 1 stands retired supra the remainder - the tiny metropolis of Altea. Just six miles from Benidorm arsenic the crow flies, Altea sees astir 2,000 percent less visitors, with lone 50,000 party-goers hitting its streets each year.

Nestled connected the Costa Blanca, Altea has been a fashionable spot since the 1950s, acknowledgment to its year-round fantastic weather, maze-like streets, and whitewashed houses. Shielded by the cliffs of the Serra de Bèrnia, a lukewarm microclimate has developed astir the city, promoting the maturation of thenar trees on its seafront promenade, creating a country much akin to the Caribbean.

Perhaps owed to less visitors, Altea has managed to clasp a humanities charm that Benidorm seems to lack, reports the Express. This could beryllium attributed to the important relation the municipality played successful Spain's captivating yet tumultuous history.

Historical records uncover that Altea has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was subsequently claimed by assorted civilisations including the Phoenicians, Iberians, Greeks, and Carthaginians. The Muslim Kingdom conquered the metropolis successful the eighth century, followed by the Taifa Kingdom of Denia 3 centuries later.

Recognising its humanities importance, consequent rulers built a monolithic partition astir Altea to safeguard its identity. In 1471, it became portion of the Argonian Kingdom nether King Jaume I.

Much of this affluent past is inactive disposable today. For those funny successful spiritual sites, there's the beautifully designed Parroquia Nuestra Senora del Consuelo church, the Iglesia Ortodoxa Rosa San Miguel Arcangel, and the Nostra Senyora del Consol.

The charming aged municipality features constrictive streets starring to bars, restaurants, autarkic shops, humanities sites, and boutique hotels. A small extracurricular the city, you'll find the Fort de Bèrnia, built successful 1562, offering panoramic views of the metropolis and the Mediterranean Sea.

Reaching the fort requires a somewhat challenging hike, but online reviews suggest it's worthy the effort. Just beyond an aged fort lies a breathtaking earthy wonderment - a passageway carved done a upland that provides awe-inspiring views of the surrounding area.

This hidden gem, formed implicit millennia, has been described by 1 explorer connected TripAdvisor arsenic offering a "You tin past proceed astir the mountain, climbing backmost up toward the apical of the ridge until you scope a passageway that takes you done to the confederate slope of the upland and again opens up spectacular views implicit Altea and southbound arsenic acold arsenic El Campello successful the region - a astir spectacular circular walk."

Their testimonial read: "The aged fort is conscionable a ruin but proceed connected implicit the enarthrosis of the ridge and a full vista of the Alta Marina opens earlier you.

"You tin past proceed astir the mountain, climbing backmost up toward the apical of the ridge until you scope a passageway that takes you done to the confederate slope of the upland and again opens up spectacular views implicit Altea and southbound arsenic acold arsenic El Campello successful the region - a astir spectacular circular walk."

In the bosom of the city, Altea takes pridefulness arsenic the taste and creator hub of Costa Blanca, boasting a plethora of theatres, galleries, and venues for events. The majestic Palau Altea, accommodating up to a 1000 guests, forms portion of Spain's illustrious Theatre Network with play performances.

Outdoor events similar "Nits al truthful de l'aigua" oregon the "Route of the Hermitages" enchant the locals and tourists alike. There's besides an array of modern trade exhibitions specified arsenic "Balconadas", coupled with entree to the Library and the Music Conservatory.

The charm of Altea is limitless, a destination you tin genuinely personalise. With edifice rates akin to those successful Benidorm, it would beryllium a missed accidental not to observe this hidden treasure.