Altea, A Mediterranean Gem in Alicante

Altea, a Mediterranean gem, is a town in Alicante renowned for having the finest rice dishes in Spain.With stunning sea views, this coastal town will captivate you with its culinary delights and rich culture.

Enjoying a delicious rice dish by the Mediterranean is an unbeatable experience.

Spain has numerous attributes to showcase internationally: its climate, beaches, and culture, among others. However, if there's one area where it truly excels, it's in its cuisine.

The Mediterranean diet, renowned as the best globally, is incredibly diverse, and we uniquely capitalise on this diversity. The culinary offerings vary depending on the region of the country, yet they consistently draw from our rich traditions.

Communities near the Mediterranean or any sea benefit from an abundance of fresh fish and seafood. Altea is a coastal town renowned as a Mediterranean gem in Alicante for its culinary heritage. From its early days, it has thrived on vegetables and fish, skillfully blending the finest from both sea and land in its cuisine. In Altea, you'll find no shortage of dining options: traditional cuisine, sea-view restaurants, tapas bars, and taverns. While some days might be exceptions, you'll certainly have many choices.

Altea's Identity

Strolling through El Fornet, the name given to the old town, instantly takes you back in time. This maze of cobblestone streets is adorned with balconies overflowing with bougainvillaea, jasmine, and geraniums. The narrow streets meander through this historic neighbourhood, revealing hidden treasures like viewpoints overlooking the sea. At the summit stands the Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, with its blue dome visible from any part of the town, famously known as "the dome of the Mediterranean." From its square, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the bay, the Sierra de Bèrnia, and the iconic Peñon de Ifach.

The historic center continues to uphold its maritime legacy. The streets, which once carried the scent of fresh fish, are now lined with restaurants and taverns offering the finest local cuisine, crafted with fresh ingredients delivered each morning from the port.

Other must-see sites should be on your travel itinerary. Among these is the Mirador de los Cronistas, offering the most stunning summer sunset. Don't miss a walk along Calle Mayor, lined with artisan shops and art galleries, or the Paseo Marítimo, which links the modern and traditional areas. For a day immersed in nature, the town's surroundings provide hiking trails through the Sierra de Bèrnia, hidden coves like La Solsida, and opportunities for water sports in the bay. All of this makes Altea a unique destination, where historical heritage, local life, and excellent cuisine converge.

Embrace Tradition

Valencian cuisine is renowned for its distinctiveness, often leading foreigners to mistakenly believe it's all Spaniards eat. While paella is a cornerstone of our culinary heritage, our gastronomy offers much more than just rice dishes. To simplify your dining choices during your Costa Blanca visit, we've curated a list of must-try dishes for your outings.

Among the most common rice dishes are rice with beans or rice with octopus. The rice with beans includes vegetables, while the rice with octopus, as the name indicates, features octopus. Another iconic dish from the Alicante coast is "arroz a banda." Traditionally, fishermen would prepare a broth using small, spiny fish that were not marketable. They would first create a fish stew, and then use the remaining broth to cook the rice "a banda," meaning "separately."

The "Paella D'aladroc."

A well-known paella in Altea is the "paella d'aladroc." This dish is typically enjoyed during the colder months when fresh, seasonal ingredients are readily available. It includes rice, cauliflower, anchovy, artichokes, and broad beans; although it isn't very rich, it remains quite flavorful. Tossal Roig is a must-visit restaurant in this coastal area, offering a delightful dining experience under the pine trees. This peaceful and tranquil spot provides exceptional customer service and serves mouthwatering traditional rice dishes, alongside local specialties such as cosas (things) and outrageously good croquettes.

Cocas

I could continue listing typical rice dishes until tomorrow, as the variety in Altea is truly limitless; however, there are other dishes worth highlighting. "Cocas" are also very typical in this town. They are a type of baked dough similar to pizza or empanada and can be either sweet or savory. The most renowned are "coca a la llumà," topped with ingredients like vegetables, anchovies, or cured meats, and "coca farcida," filled with a sauté of tomato, pepper, onion, garlic, and cured meats.

Conclude with a sweet treat

Altea's signature dessert is the Fabiola de Altea, a soft cake crafted with almonds, grated coconut, and sweet wine. It's renowned for its moist, dense texture and rich sweetness. In addition to this cake, the region also offers other traditional desserts like orange rolls and sweet potato pastissets.