Atop a hillside with the sea as its backdrop, Altea’s old town unfolds like a white and blue poem that has withstood the passage of time without losing its soul. The architecture of Altea’s old town is a living testament to Mediterranean tradition: whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, terracotta-tiled roofs, and windows that open humbly to the horizon. Walking through its corners is not just an aesthetic experience—it’s a lesson in how architecture can be memory, landscape, and culture all at once.
The architecture of Altea’s old town has become a symbol of authenticity, a source of inspiration for travellers, artists, and of course, for architects in Altea and across the Costa Blanca. With every renovation, every restoration, or new-build carried out with sensitivity, this historic setting evolves without ever ceasing to be itself. Because good architecture, in the end, doesn’t impose—it engages in dialogue with its place.
At La Quinta Fachada Arquitectura, we understand that working in a setting like this requires respect, technical skill, and vision. That’s why, when we take on new renovation projects or design new homes in Altea, we do so with a deep understanding of its essence and a contemporary approach that honours its identity.
The White Soul of Altea’s Old Town
Known locally as el antiguo de Altea, the old town is distinguished by its visual harmony. Simple, whitewashed houses with clean lines, wooden shutters, deep blue details, and bougainvillaea climbing the façades. The palette is limited, yet rich in nuance. This uniformity is no coincidence—it reflects both tradition and the local planning regulations that protect the area's unique aesthetic.
Here, the architecture adapts to the terrain, stepping with the slope and opening onto patios and terraces oriented towards the sun or the sea. It is architecture designed to live with the climate, to harness natural ventilation and provide shade when the heat intensifies. Elements such as porches, latticework, and thick walls are examples of traditional bioclimatic solutions that remain relevant today.
Renovating in Altea’s Old Town: A Technical and Emotional Challenge
Undertaking a renovation in Altea’s old town involves more than just technical know-how. It requires an understanding of the historical value of each home, its physical and regulatory limitations, and the desire of its owners to preserve authenticity while adapting to contemporary living.
The renovation projects we develop in this setting aim to maintain the essence of the original home, improve its energy efficiency, and create more functional interiors—without compromising its character. It’s about adding value while respecting history, using traditional materials combined with modern techniques.
In many cases, for example, we restore original stone walls, refurbish exposed wooden beams, or incorporate discreet climate control systems that preserve the interior’s aesthetic. This balance between tradition and technology is a fundamental part of our work as architects in Altea.
New Builds with an Old Soul: Building with Respect
Paradoxical as it may seem, it is possible to construct new buildings in the old town—as long as strict municipal regulations are followed. In these cases, the challenge is even greater: to design a building from scratch that doesn’t clash, doesn’t impose, and feels as though it has always belonged there.
At our studio, we’ve developed new-build projects that integrate elements of traditional architectural language with contemporary solutions: central courtyards that regulate temperature, ventilated façades that mimic traditional stone walls, timber joinery treated with modern technology…
It’s about reclaiming the spirit of the place without sacrificing the comfort and functionality of a 21st-century home.
Cobbled Streets, Sea Views, and Architecture That Moves
One of the defining features of the architecture in Altea’s old town is its integration with the landscape. The cobbled streets are not just pedestrian routes—they are living elements that shape the spatial experience. The sound of footsteps, the texture underfoot, the unevenness that slows your pace… all of it invites a different way of inhabiting the village.
And at the end of nearly every street, the reward is the sea. The houses open up to the bay with terraces, balconies, or small, strategically placed windows. This relationship with the horizon is part of the architecture—and part of the soul of Altea.
Architects in Denia and Altea: A Shared Mediterranean Approach
From Denia to Altea, passing through Moraira, Benissa, and Jávea, the white towns of the Costa Blanca share a similar architectural culture: a language that is restrained, sunlit, and deeply human. As architects working in both Denia and Altea, we recognise the unique character of each municipality, while also understanding the common thread that links them: a respect for scale, for light, and for tradition.
That’s why we approach every project with a dual perspective—one that values the local context, and another that brings technical and functional innovation. Sustainability, energy efficiency, and spatial quality are the principles that guide our design process, without ever losing sight of the spirit of each place.
Preserve, Reinterpret, Inhabit
Working in Altea’s old town is always an opportunity to reconnect with the origins of Mediterranean architecture. Its gentle rhythms, honest materials, relationship with the surroundings, and human scale remind us that beauty often lies in well-considered simplicity.
At La Quinta Fachada Arquitectura, we design with that same sensitivity—integrating each new renovation or new-build project into this unique setting with the utmost care. Because we believe every street, every stone, and every shadow tells a story. And the best architecture is not the one that stands out, but the one that blends into its place and enriches it quietly.