Day Trips from Altea by Rental Car

Altea as a Base for Day Trips

Altea's old town is built for walking, not driving. The steep, pedestrian streets climb toward the Nuestra Senora del Consuelo church, easy to spot by its blue-and-white tiled dome, and entry is free. Below the old town, the pebble beaches of La Roda and Cap Negret and the Port d'Altea marina are all within a short stroll of most central accommodation.

That changes once you leave the historic center. Altea la Vella and the Altea Hills urbanisation spread out along the hillsides above town, with villas, restaurants, and viewpoints spaced too far apart for walking. A rental car picked up near your accommodation removes the need to plan around bus timetables for these areas, and it becomes essential for anything inland.

• Old town and the Consuelo church: walkable, free entry
• La Roda and Cap Negret beaches: walkable from most central stays
• Port d'Altea marina: walkable, good for an evening stroll
• Altea la Vella and Altea Hills: car recommended, distances are spread out
• Inland villages and waterfalls: car required, no direct rail link

Along the Coast: Calpe, Benidorm, Javea, Denia

Calpe

Calpe is about 12-15 km away, an 18-22 minute drive. Its landmark is the Penon de Ifach, a 332 m limestone rock with a natural park that is free to enter. Climbing to the summit, however, requires a mandatory, free advance online permit, limited to roughly 300 visitors a day and bookable up to 10 days ahead, so this is not a spontaneous add-on. Calpe also has salt flats where flamingos are sometimes visible, plus sandy beaches that suit a shorter, lower-effort stop.

Benidorm

Benidorm sits around 11 km from Altea, about 15-20 minutes by car. Beyond the high-rise skyline, the Levante and Poniente beaches are sandy and popular, and two theme parks, Terra Mitica (about EUR 41-49) and Aqualandia (about EUR 35-41), draw families in summer. Large free park-and-ride lots sit on the edge of town, which is worth using since central parking gets difficult in high season. Central Benidorm also has a low-emission zone (ZBE) that requires a permit for non-resident cars, so check this before driving into the center. Taking the TRAM into Benidorm avoids both issues entirely.

Javea and Cap de la Nau

Javea, also written Xabia, is about 40 km away, a 35-45 minute drive. Beyond the Arenal beach, Cala Granadella is frequently rated among Spain's most beautiful coves, but access is limited: the car park has only about 130 spaces at roughly EUR 9 per day, fills very early in the morning, and closes access once full. A summer shuttle train serves as a backup when the lot is closed.

Denia

Denia is around 40-55 km from Altea, roughly 40 minutes by car. Its hilltop castle costs about EUR 3 to visit, and the town borders the Montgo natural park. Denia is also a ferry port, with Baleria sailings to Ibiza and the wider Balearic Islands, useful if a multi-day side trip is on the table.

Planning Your Day Trips

Not every destination needs a car. The TRAM Line 9 covers the coastal towns, including Benidorm, Calpe, and Denia, and is often the easier choice in peak summer when parking gets stressful. Inland sights, however, have no direct rail link: Guadalest, the Algar Waterfalls, Sierra de Bernia, and the Javea coves all require a rental car.

Timing Tips for Summer

In July and August, aim to arrive before 11:00 at Guadalest, the Algar Waterfalls, and the Javea coves, since parking at all three fills early. Book the Penon de Ifach permit and the Algar summer time slot in advance rather than assuming a spot will be available. Midday heat on the narrow mountain roads around Bernia and Guadalest is also worth avoiding when possible, so an early departure tends to make the whole day easier.

• Fill up or check charge before heading into the mountains; fuel stops are sparser inland
• Pack water for the Bernia hike; there are no facilities on the trail
• Book the Penon de Ifach permit online up to 10 days ahead
• Consider the TRAM for Benidorm and Calpe in peak summer to skip parking altogether

Picking up the right vehicle before any of these routes matters, particularly for the narrow lanes near Bernia and Guadalest. Compare options through the Altea car rental guide or head straight to Compare rental cars to see what's available for your dates. Travelers flying in can also arrange pickup directly through Alicante airport car rental, which cuts out a taxi transfer before the trip even starts. If budget is the main concern, the cheap car rental Altea options are worth checking first.