Benidorm to Altea by TRAM
Updated 12/10/2026 by the onbenidorm team · Fares checked October 2026
Altea is about 30 minutes north of Benidorm on TRAM line L9, which reopened end to end on 28 January 2025. A single costs €2 or €2.90 depending on zones. The highlights are the whitewashed old town, the blue-and-white tiled dome of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo and the Glorieta del Maño viewpoint. Buses 010 and 031 also run via Albir.
- TRAM
- Line L9 (not L1), about 30 minutes from Benidorm
- TRAM single
- €2 (1 zone) or €2.90 (2 zones) from 1 Oct 2026
- Buses
- Avanza 010 and 031 via Albir
- Must-see
- Blue-and-white dome of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo
- Old town walk
- Portal Vell, Glorieta del Maño viewpoint, Portal Nou
- Cost to explore
- Free: the old town and viewpoints have no entry fee
Getting from Benidorm to Altea by TRAM
Take TRAM line L9 north from Benidorm station on Av. Beniardà or from Benidorm Intermodal. The ride takes about 30 minutes, which makes Altea the most relaxed coastal trip in our day trips from Benidorm guide. Do not board L1, which runs south to Alicante.
L9 was closed for long stretches while its viaducts were renewed and reopened end to end on 28 January 2025. In its first full year Altea station handled about 290,000 passengers, so expect company in summer.
Check the timetable at the station, particularly for the last tram back.
| Ticket | 1 zone | 2 zones |
|---|---|---|
| Single | €2.00 | €2.90 |
| Return | €3.00 | €5.00 |
Which fare do you need?
Most likely a one-zone ticket, but confirm at the machine before you buy.
Under-14s travel free until 31 December 2026. If you plan several TRAM trips in one zone, a 10-trip bono costs €5.40 with the discount that runs until the end of 2026.
Getting to Altea by bus
Avanza lines 010 and 031 run from Benidorm and the Rincón de Loix to Altea via Albir. They are useful if you are staying at the Levante end of town and would rather not walk to the TRAM station.
The Benidorm open-top bus tour also runs a line 31 route from the Rincón de Loix to Albir and Altea, with audio guides in English, Spanish, French, German and Russian. It is covered by the tour's 24-hour, 72-hour and 7-day tourist cards.
By sea, boat operators at Benidorm port list a Benidorm–Altea route that passes the Serra Gelada cliffs. Fares were not published on the page checked.
What to see in Altea
Altea's appeal is its old walled town on the hill, with white houses, blue accents and bougainvillea. It is free to wander, so the day costs little beyond the fare and lunch.
Nuestra Señora del Consuelo
The parish church stands in the main square of the old town. Its dome is tiled in blue and white and shows up from far along the coast, which is why Altea is nicknamed the "cúpula del Mediterráneo", the dome of the Mediterranean. Visit early or late for softer light on the tiles.
The old town walk
The tourist board's suggested route enters through the Portal Vell gateway, climbs to the Glorieta del Maño viewpoint for views over the bay, and leaves through the Portal Nou. Expect steep, cobbled lanes and steps, so wear flat shoes with grip.
Torre de Bellaguarda
This old tower is listed by the regional tourist board as one of the sights of the walled town. It is easy to include on the walk between the two gateways.
Beaches and marinas
Below the old town, Altea's beaches are pebble rather than sand: La Olla, Cap Negret, Cap Blanc and Mascarat. Bring water shoes if you plan to swim. The town also has three marinas, good for a seafront stroll before the tram home.
Altea's Tuesday market
Altea has a weekly market on Tuesday mornings. That is not an official source, so check with Altea council before planning around it.
If you want a market in Benidorm itself, our Benidorm outdoor markets guide covers the regular street markets, including the Levante market in the Rincón de Loix.
Tips for your Altea day trip
Altea is easy to do in a morning or an afternoon, and it rewards an early start. A few practical points help.
- Allow for the climb. The old town is uphill from the coast and the station, and no official walking time was found, so take it slowly in summer heat.
- Go early in July and August, when average highs are 30–31°C. See Benidorm weather in August.
- Combine Altea with Calpe, about 40–50 minutes from Benidorm further up L9, for a longer coastal day.
- Carry water and sun protection, as there is little shade on the lanes at midday.
- Check the last tram back before you sit down to dinner.
Back in Benidorm for the evening
An afternoon in Altea leaves time for a night out back in Benidorm. The Old Town is a short walk from the TRAM station, and our Old Town nightlife guide covers its tapas bars and late spots. If you are staying in the Rincón, the Levante area guide has bars and shows close to the beach.
For more day trips, compare Alicante by TRAM or the inland villages of Guadalest and the Algar waterfalls.
More day trips and Benidorm areas
| Name | Area | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Day trips from Benidorm | Hub | All trips compared |
| Alicante | South on L1 | Castle and city centre |
| Old Town | Benidorm | Tapas and evening bars |
| Benidorm outdoor markets | Benidorm | Weekly street markets |
Benidorm to Altea by TRAM — FAQs
How long is the TRAM from Benidorm to Altea?
About 30 minutes on line L9, which runs north from Benidorm to Dénia. Board at Benidorm station on Av. Beniardà or at Benidorm Intermodal. Line L1 goes the other way, to Alicante, so check the line before you board.
How much is the TRAM from Benidorm to Altea?
From 1 October 2026, a single costs €2 for one zone or €2.90 for two, and a return €3 or €5. Benidorm and Altea appear to share a zone, but confirm at the ticket machine. Under-14s travel free until 31 December 2026.
Is the TRAM to Altea running again?
Yes. Line L9 reopened end to end on 28 January 2025 after the viaducts were renewed, and Altea station handled about 290,000 passengers in its first year back. No service notices for October 2026 were found when this guide was checked.
What is Altea famous for?
Its whitewashed old town on a hill and the blue-and-white tiled dome of the Nuestra Señora del Consuelo church, which has earned Altea the nickname "cúpula del Mediterráneo". Visitors also come for the Glorieta del Maño viewpoint, the pebble beaches and three marinas.
Is there a bus from Benidorm to Altea?
Yes. Avanza lines 010 and 031 run from Benidorm and the Rincón de Loix to Altea via Albir. The open-top tourist bus also runs a line 31 route to Albir and Altea, covered by its tourist cards.
Does Altea have sandy beaches?
Mostly no. Altea's beaches, including La Olla, Cap Negret, Cap Blanc and Mascarat, are pebble. Bring water shoes to swim. For golden sand, Benidorm's Levante and Poniente beaches are a short TRAM ride back.
When is Altea market?
A market directory lists Altea's market on Tuesdays from 9:00 to 14:00 on Avenida de la Nucía. It is not an official listing, so confirm with Altea council before you go.
Related guides
Sources and how we checked
Last updated 12 October 2026 by the onbenidorm team.