Altea & Albir by kht1468
Altea old town is on a steep hill which is full of tiny stepped streets and small artisan shops, & small boutique restaurants. Its perfect for a nice romantic break, passing the hours on a terrae with a jug of sangria in the warmer months. Altea la Vieja is outside of the main town, and not ideal for staying in if you want to walk to places, similarly there is a hotel Cap Negret quite close to the town (about1km outside)but on the main N332 road with no pavement to walk on.
The lower part of the town is by the Port, where are a couple of hotels on the seafront, Altaya Hotel and the San Miguel (cheaper family run one).The seafront has lots of restaurants and a passeo which is lively in the summer months.
Albir is very flat, and more modern with no old town (the inland part of Albir is Alfaz Del Pi which has the old town. Albir is more touristy and very few spanish live there.It is possible to walk from Altea to Albir along the seafront, nice flat walk.
With the economic crisis setting in there are loads of rentals possible now as people can't sell their properties and so rent them out instead.
Check online for Costa Blanca News which is the local paper for rentals as well as agencies.Do take in the view from the old town in Altea which looks across the bay to Albir and Benidorm in the distance.
We have fond memories of turning up at our fabourite restaurant (Strombolis) and sitting ontheir roof top terrace at mid night watching the stars whilst sipping our sangria.
