Altea, every season of the year suits you well!
We’re now in the newly inaugurated month of December, and fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, the rains in the last weeks of November and the early days of December have been the real protagonists of the Levantine territory, as well as in other parts of Spain. It’s logical to think that winter brings with it such climatic phenomena more frequently than at other times of the year, but the reality is that in this area, the rains are insufficient each year, and this year’s extra rainfall doesn’t always bring the same consequences for everyone. On one hand, the tourism sector is wringing its hands, bewildered and anxious because, unfortunately, there is a widespread belief that this area is only for enjoying sun 365 days a year, and that’s how most people view the Levant, as a place of sun and beach (and nothing more). I emphasize the word unfortunate and go further by explaining... We cannot deny that any Mediterranean coastal area, and particularly ours, enjoys an enviable climate for most of the year, especially when compared to other regions within our country, and it’s even less comparable with other countries. Viewed this way, that’s where the widespread and proclaimed cliché of the sun being here every day of the year comes from... but that’s not entirely true. The truth is that this year is somewhat more unusual than typical, but there is always some rain, as necessary as it is, that visits us each year.
However, the Levant is so much more! And while we are aware that the main attraction is the climate, I make an appeal to anyone who only visits this area to go to the beach, sunbathe, and enjoy a cold beer on a terrace...
Altea is more! It is much more!
The sensations experienced while strolling through the old town are almost more intense on a day when dark clouds hover over every corner of the whitewashed houses, where a distant horizon appears, fading with the fog and threatening to wet each of the cobblestones that carpet every meter of steep Altea... the white is whiter and the color of the carnations peeking from the balconies more intense on a day where the protagonist is you, or you and the person or people you hold hands with... and not the rain or the sun, not even the magnificent setting! And let’s not forget... getting lost in magical corners anywhere in the world should never be marred by a few raindrops.
On winter days when the sea is stormy and every wave crashes with force as if it were the last, enjoying a hot cup of coffee on a terrace by the promenade and watching that spectacle might be one of the winter pleasures that best defines how little we need to enjoy our surroundings.
In addition to what you can find with a few clicks about what to see or do in Altea at any time of the year, such as attending an open-air concert or in our fantastic auditorium, enjoying a play or an exhibition, there is also the possibility of visiting nearby towns with other attractive landscapes, cultural or gastronomic offerings, such as some mountain villages like Castell de Guadalest (a must-visit), Benimantell, Confrides, among others, just half an hour away from us, where you can enjoy traditional cuisine with locally grown ingredients, all next to a large fire after a hike (for all tastes) or simply strolling through the area.
Remember that it’s not always about feeding the stomach; sometimes feeding the soul, the senses, and emotions, and letting yourself go is equally or even more satisfying and pleasurable.
Do you like history and archaeology? Each town in this coastal area has ancient Iberian, Roman, Phoenician settlements, or living remnants of one of the most significant cultural legacies for us, the Arab. Many of them can be visited for free, and others with a small contribution that often goes towards the conservation or restoration of the heritage. More and more, evidence is coming to light of how important this area was on the peninsula, due to the number of settlements built in strategic locations, which today teach us so much about how and why our ancestors left their legacy. The most notable evidence of this is Vila Museu, a museum located in the nearby town of La Vila Joiosa (20 km from Altea), which contains numerous tangible proofs of the above. Probably one of the most important museums in its category nationally, where millions of pieces found in this town with a rich archaeological heritage have led to significant historical studies and research. I also want to mention that it’s well worth taking a walk through the old town and promenade of La Vila Joiosa, with its characteristic colored houses, the town's emblem. And if you’re a fan of chocolate, here’s a tip: there are three factories! Yes, you read that right... three chocolate factories! The most famous is Chocolates Valor, followed by Chocolates Pérez and Chocolates Clavileño. They can be visited, and Valor even has a chocolate museum. In the others, you’ll always find very friendly staff who, although in a more modest manner, will show you the factory and explain the most noteworthy details of the processes. There’s also a shop within the factories, and it’s always a good idea to take home some delicious chocolates as a souvenir for yourself or for the family.
I could spend hours writing about what to do or visit in the area and particularly in Altea. Maybe my bias is showing; yes, I am from Altea, and that’s why you might not have received the most objective version of describing an alternative or complementary winter offer to that of summer...
Altea is gastronomy, art, culture... and of course, it’s sunshine, but it’s also rain, and it’s always just as beautiful!