Since arriving in my apartment in Spain a week ago, I have settled in nicely in Altea (Alicante, Costa Blanca).
After exploring the nearby towns and areas, I have found my morning walk routes, my afternoon routine and the best grocery stores nearby. Furthermore, the weekly Altea food market is only a cycling distance away and the mountains around me are perfect for hiking. So, I can say, I like it here.
Altea city
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the prettiest of them all?
ALTEA of course! Sitting in the province of Alicante and at the Mediterranean Sea (Costa Blanca) it has a great charm and local feel about it. Whether you want to take a walk along the beach promenade, enjoy local tapas in one of the many restaurants or climb up the stairs to the church (Parroquia De Nuestra Señora Del Consuelo), it is a gorgeous spot to be.
People here seem to be pretty relaxed. They start the day late, and finish it late too. But who wouldn’t, especially with a siesta in the afternoon, where everybody and everything shuts down.
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Costa Blanca, Altea and surroundings
The Costa Blanca stretches over 200 kilometres of Mediterranean coastline in Alicante province, on the southeastern coast of Spain. So, no matter what direction I want to go, there is a mountain to cross. It certainly creates a stunning and dramatic background all around me.
There are plenty of hiking routes and plenty of villas embedded into the hills, fighting for the best view over the ocean. And yes, the higher the house, the better the view. But given the steep hills and narrow roads to get there, I can’t see the practicality of living so high up. Cycling up the steep hill every day? Maybe not…
That said, I am planning to hike the mountains next year, and the Sierra Helada National Park looks like a great place to start. For now, however, I am enjoying exploring the different areas with my bicycle (much easier without the luggage btw).
And it seems, I am not the only one. Altea, Alicante and the Costa Blanca Coast is definitely a spot for outdoor lovers like me. I see plenty of people cycling, hiking, walking and even rock climbing. So my stay here will be filled with lots of activities for sure.
But first, I am looking forward to a quiet Christmas in Altea, planning all my adventures for 2020.
So, until next year then! And thank you for reading my travels so far.
Sierra Helada Natural Park 
(post 123)
