Calle Belosa, 5
Alhama Springs
03599 Altea - Altea la Vella
España
Beach, Bike, Hike. Embrace The Magic
Landmarks
Casa del Cerro is located between Valencia and Alicante on a hill with a marvellous view of the bay of Altea to the south and the Serra de Bèrnia to the north. The urbanisation Alhama Springs with the Casa del Cerro is part of Altea la Vella.
With around 23,000 inhabitants, Altea is the ‘cultural city’ of the autonomous region of Valencia with the ‘Nuestra Señora del Consuelo’ church in the centre of the picturesque historical centre.
Built in 1904, the L'Albir lighthouse is located to the east of L'Alfàs del Pi at a height of 112 m. It offers spectacular views of Altea Bay.
The 1,126 m-high, strikingly jagged Serra de Bèrnia ridge lies to the north of Altea la Vella. The circular route leads past the remains of an old fortress and through and the narrow rock tunnel Forat de Bèrnia.
With around 600 inhabitants, numerous shops and well-known restaurants, the district of Altea la Vella belongs to the municipality of Altea.
The Serra Gelada creates a cooler microclimate and provides space for incredible vegetation. The highest point is the Alt del Governador at 438 m.
The 1,406 m high Puig Campana is the second highest mountain in the province of Valencia. The western of the two peaks has a striking gap, the legendary El Tall de Roldán.
Attractions
In Altea and the surrounding area there are many places worth visiting. Here are some suggestions:
Altea's historic centre
Altea is one of the towns on the Costa Blanca that has managed to retain the charm of a Mediterranean fishing village. The old town is known for its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and views of the sea.
Paya del Bol
The new Paseo Marítimo beach promenade at Playa del Bol in Altea stretches for around 3 km and invites visitors to linger and admire the modern works of art on display.
Nature reserve with waterfalls and small bathing ponds on the way to Guadalest.
Guadalest
This village is located in the mountains and is known for its impressive castle and views of the valley. Ca. 30 min by car.
Palau Altea
Attractive programme for theatre, dance, music, exhibitions and congresses.
Benidorm Palace
Concerts and entertaining "Las Vegas" style shows with dancers, artists, magicians and a high level laser performance.
VALOR chocolate museum
Pianist Gonzalo Soriano, 13
03570 Villajoyosa
Guided Tour & Shopping
Mon-Fri 10:00 & 16:00 (English)
Sat 10:00 (English)
Sport Centre La Nucia
Used internationally for many sports such as football, athletics or swimming, the training and competition centre even offers a climbing wall as well as padel (like squash) and tennis courts.
Alicante is a charming coastal city with a unique charm. An impressive castle complex, an idyllic old town, beautiful beaches, promenades and natural parks.
Valencia is a place full of contrasts awaits the visitor with a charming old town next to futuristic buildings.
Hiking
There are many beautiful places in the Altea area that are perfect for hiking tours. Here are a few suggestions:
Challenging hike to the second highest mountain of the Costa Blanca 1.406 m
Parking > Font del Molí
Biking
In the area around Altea there are challenging road biking tours as well as numerous mountain bike tracks.
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There are several bike hire shops in l'Alfàs del Pi for MTB, road bikes and e-bikes. Some of them also rent out scooters and jet skis.
Monkey Rent
Albirent
Avenida Albir 15
03581 l'Albir - l'Alfàs del Pi
+34 603 784 974
Mon-Sun 10:00-18:00
Top Bikes Rental
Cap Negret 17
03590 Altea
+34 652 656 741
info@topbikesrental.com
Golf
In Altea la Vella, the Golf Club Altea offers a challenging 9 hole golf course with beautiful views, a small driving range, a restaurant and international audience. The golf pro, Juan Carlos, is friendly and speaks many languages.
Swimming & more
Camilo Cano Sports City
La Nucía has a modern indoor swimming pool at Camilo Cano Sports City, a large sports complex that has been awarded the title of ‘European City of Sport’. The facility has a heated indoor pool (Piscina Climatizada), a gym, wellness areas such as a jacuzzi and steam bath, and other sports facilities such as tennis and padel courts, football pitches, BMX tracks and much more.
The Piscina Municipal de Altea offers swimming lessons for children, aquagym, therapeutic swimming and programmes for pregnant women. Lanes can be reserved during free swimming hours (baño libre).
Restaurants
If you like typical Valencian paella (arroz), order "paella con socarrat" (crust under the rice). The preparation needs at least 1 hour. Fish and seafood are offered in almost all restaurants. Rabbit (conejo) and chicken (pollo) are usually very good. Vegetarians will appreciate the selection of tasty vegetables. Spanish ham (jamon Iberico or pata negra from black pigs) with olives (aceitunas) or squid and octopus (calamares, pulpo) and roasted green peppers (pimientos de padrón) or anchovies (boquerones), fried or in vinegar, are delicious tapas. Typical fried potatoes are called patatas bravas.
Spaniards value stylish clothing. Men wear long trousers and closed shoes. Tables are assigned. Dinner begins between 9 and 10 p.m., lunch around 2 p.m. The bill is never split. Tips are included.
simple, typical, €
Restaurante Casa Ripoll
Calle Cura Llinares, 5
03599 Altea la Vella
+34 965848068
breakfast, menu of the day, take away
Mon-Sun 08:00-23:00
Ca. 4 min by car
beach bar, €
Chiringuito Merendero Arecife
Playa Olla de Altea
03590 Altea
+34 996 584 1563
Altea la Olla, behind Villa Gadea
Wed-Sun 10:00-17:00
the golf course of Altea, €€
Jacaranda Restaurante
Altea Club de Golf
03599 Altea la Vella
+34 965038813
Terrace overlooking the golf course
Son 13:00-18:00, Mon-Tue 13:00-21:00
belgian, €€
Restaurante Nou Valentino
Ctra. de Callosa, 75
03599 Altea la Vella
+34 96584 85 38
Lobster menu
Tue-Sun 13:00-15:30, 19:00-22:30
italian, €€€
Il Gardino Nova Bussola
Partida la Foia, 21
03599 Altea la Vella
+34 965 84 58 39
Mon, Wed-Sun 13:00-15:30,
19:00-23:00
simple, typical, €
Bar D'herme
Ctra. de Callosa, 67
03599 Altea la Vella
+34 965509013
menu of the day
Mon-Sat 06:00-16:00, Fr -23:00
Ca. 4 min by car
best rabbit with garlic, €
Bon Vent
CV 749, km 11,5 Bernia, 5,
03727 Xaló
+34 646 47 05 75
Tue-Fri 11:30-16:30
Sat 11:30-17:00, Sun 12:00-17:00
breathtaking mountain road
mediterian, swiss, €€
Restaurante D'els Artistes
Plaça de l'Església, 6
03590 Altea
+34 965841269
Parking > Carrer Benidorm, Altea
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 13:00-16:00, 18:00-22:00
belgian, €€
Nilah [ex Sabor]
Steaks €€€€
Ca Joan
Partida La Olla, 146
03590 Altea
+34 96688 3234
aged Steaks
Tue-Sun 13:30-16:00, 19:00-23:00
simple, tapas, €
Restaubar Casa del Mar
P.º del Mediterraneo 52
03590 Altea
tapas & draught beer
Mon-Sun 08:00-23:30
Parking > behind railway station
Paella, €
Ca's Pelut
Partida del Poble de Dalt, 12
03518 Tàrbena
+34 652 828 926
paella Valenciano with mountain view
Wed-Mon 10:00-18:00
spanish, traditional, €€
Crta d´ALCOI, 21
03516 Benimantell
+34 965433261
tasty tapas menu
Mon, Wed-Sun 12:45-16:30
spanish, former cooking school, €€€
Restaurante Paladar
P.º del Mediterraneo, 3
03590 Altea
+34 966880349
Promenade
Parking > C. Clot del Mingot, 14, Altea
under the arches; path to the beach
Tue-Sat 13:00-22:00, Sun 12:30-17:00
with Michelin *, €€€€
El Xato
Calle Iglesia, 3
03530 La Nucía
+34 965 870 931
one star cooking
Tue-Thu 13:30-14:30
Fri-Sat 20:00-21:00
Hotels
There are numerous hotels in Altea in various price ranges. Here are three examples that can be found on booking.com.
Partida Villa Gadea
03590 Altea
This stylish hotel is located just outside Altea and offers sea views and lagoon-style pools. It has 4 restaurants, a fitness centre and a spacious wellness area with an ice cave and whirlpools.
N332 Alicante-Valencia, km 159
03590 Altea
The Hotel Cap Negret has private access to the Cap Negret de Altea pebble beach and offers outdoor pools with water jets. All rooms have a balcony with sea views.
Partida el Pla de Castell 96
03590 Altea
The Hotel Tossal d'Altea was built on the site of a traditional oil mill. The hotel is located in a quiet area of Altea, next to the Palau Art Centre and the Faculty of Fine Arts of Miguel Hernández University.
Shopping
Besides grocery shops (supermercados, alimentos) in Altea la Vella, there are Aldi and Lidl in l'Alfàs del Pias well as a very large Carrefour hypermarket in Finestrat (approx. 20 min by car). Bakeries (panaderías) are rare. Many municipalities have weekly markets (mercado) or market halls (mercat).
unide
Ctra. de Callosa, 67
03590 Altea - Altea la Vella
Mon-Fri 08:30-20:00
Sat 8:30 - 14:00
SUPERCOSTABLANCA
Camí de la Mar, 30
03580 l'Alfàs del Pi
Brands from D, UK, NL, N
at McD roundabout right
Mon-Sat 09:00-20:30
Carrefour Hypermarket
Carretera Nueva de Finestrat a La Cala
03509 Finestrat
Mon-Sat 09:00-22:00
on N-332 stricly follow the speed limit
Mercat Municipal d'Altea
Market hall
Avinguda Rei en Jaume I, 4
03590 Altea
Mon-Sat 07:30-14:30
Optician
Carrer Garganes
03590 Altea
Mon-Sat 10:00-13:30
Mon-Fri 17:00-20:00
ALDI
Carrer Rambla de l'Albir, 12
03581 l'Alfàs del Pi
opp. of McDonalds
Mon-Sat 09:00-21:30
Mercadona
Calle L'estatut
03590 Altea
Mon-Sat 09:00-21:30
Centro Pepe La Sale
CashZone
Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, km 3
Benissa (Calpe towards Moraira)
Mon-Sat 08:30-21:00, Sun 09:00-14:00
Fruit & Veg Market
Weekly market
Av. de la Nucía, 1, Parking > Basseta
03590 Altea
Tue 08:00-14:00
Lidl
Avda. del Albir, 84
03580 l'Alfàs del Pi
at roundabout
Mon-Sat 09:00-21:30
Consum
Carrer San Francisco
03590 Altea
Mon-Sat 09:00-21:30
Borpe Vinos y Licores
Carretera Altea a La Nucia, 2
03590 Altea, lleft of BigMat
Mon-Fri 08:00-14:00 & 15:00-19:00
Sat 09:00-14:00
Arts and crafts
Plaza Iglesia
03590 Altea
Jul / Aug /Sep 19:00-00:30
Correos Altea la Vella
Camí Font del Garroferet
03599 Altea la Vella
2nd Floor in Delegaciò d'Altea la Vella (Bibliotheca), Mon-Fri 10:00-12:00
Correos Altea
Llavador, 4
03590 Altea
Mon-Fri 08:30-18:30
Parking > Basseta (market)
Parcel Shipping
A comparison of tariffs for sending parcels can be found at Packlink
Sustainabilty
In the Casa del Cerro, it is a particular concern of ours to keep the ecological footprint as small as possible right from the beginning. That is why we have not only modernised the premises, built in 1973, carefully, largely with natural building materials and with a lot of muscle power in 2023. We also operate the building with state-of-the-art technology in order to impact nature and environment as little as possible (net zero). The house is certified according to the Building Energy Efficiency Law RD 235/2013 and has an A rating.
Power generation
We generate our own electricity with our 10 kW peak photovoltaic system. We feed our surplus electricity into the power grid using a virtual batterie.
With around 17 MWh/a, we produce more energy than we consume ourselves.
Power consumption
Our highly efficient air-to-water heat pump generates central cooling for air conditioning, heating of rooms and hot water.
One of the most advanced Smart Home installations controls individual room temperatures, lighting scenarios and shading.
From the 26/27 season onwards, we will be using an electric car that is charged with our own electricity.
Water cycle
We source our drinking water from springs in the Serra de Bèrnia and decalcify it in our in-house facilities.
We regenerate our wastewater by treating it in the septic system of our urbanisation, allowing it to drain away hereafter.
Waste recycling
We separate more than 2/3 of our waste for recycling.
We compost raw plant residues (fruit, vegetables, cuttings) and use the humus in our own garden.
Special Thanks
We would like to express our thanks for the competent planning and professional execution of modernising our house to Vicent Alvado and his staff (site management, interior work, tiles, outdoor facilities, façade), to Juan Sevila and his team (electrical, solar), José Susmozas and his colleagues (heating, air conditioning, plumbing), Carlos (painting), Pepe (carpenter), Jacob (pool) and Miguel with his brother (gardening) as well as to the Bigmat team.
¡Una cálida bienvenida!
Kind friends are always welcome. However, Casa del Cerro is not a hotel. We are delighted if our overnight guests take care of their own room service in the guest wing themselves, for instance.
Ingo & Felicitas
