What can we do or visit in Altea?

What things can we do or visit in Altea? Altea offers a variety of activities to do, some of which are:

Visit the old town: The old town of Altea is famous for its cobbled streets, white houses with blue roofs and historic churches. It is a perfect place to take a stroll and enjoy the panoramic views.

Sailing: The Mediterranean Sea surrounding Altea is generally calm, with gentle winds and crystal clear waters, making it an ideal place for sailing or motorboating. In addition, the town has several sailing clubs and sailing schools where you can rent boats and take lessons.

Beaches: Altea has several beaches of golden sand and crystal clear waters, ideal for sunbathing, swimming and water sports.

Shopping: The centre of Altea offers a wide variety of shops, from souvenir shops to fashion and craft shops.

Gastronomy: Altea has a wide variety of restaurants where you can try the typical dishes of the region, especially fresh fish and seafood dishes.

Water Sports: Altea is a perfect place to practice water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, water skiing or paddle surfing.

Hiking: Altea has several natural sites for hiking, such as the Serra de Altea Natural Park, where you can enjoy beautiful views and walk along nature trails.

Golf: Altea has several golf courses to play and enjoy a day outdoors.

Culture: Altea has several museums and art galleries to visit, and also hosts several cultural events throughout the year.

The seafaring history of the Marina Baja

The Marina Baja of Alicante is a coastal area located in the province of Alicante, in the Valencian Community, Spain. The seafaring history of this region dates back to prehistoric times, when the first inhabitants of the region engaged in fishing and shellfish gathering as a means of subsistence.

As the region developed, fishing and seafaring became important economic activities. During the Middle Ages, Alicante’s Marina Baja was an important fishing and trading centre. Local boats fished for tuna and sailed to other regions of the Mediterranean.

In the 17th century, the Alicante Marina Baja became an important naval centre, with the construction of several shipyards and the building of ships for the Spanish navy. During the Spanish War of Independence, the Alicante Marina Baja was the scene of several naval battles between French and British forces.

In the 19th century, Alicante’s Marina Baja experienced a great increase in tourism and the construction of tourist infrastructure. Fishing became a less important activity, although it was still practised. During this century, tourism became one of the main industries in the region.

Today, Alicante’s Marina Baja remains a popular tourist destination, with a wide variety of water activities such as diving, water skiing and surfing. In addition, fishing is still practised in the area, and a sustainable fishing industry has been developed to protect the species and the marine ecosystem. The seafaring history of Alicante’s Marina Baja has been an important part of its development and plays a vital role in its current economy and culture.

History of the Pirate invasions of the Alicante coastline

The coast of Alicante, Spain, has been the target of pirate invasions throughout history. During the Middle Ages, Barbary pirates were a constant threat to ships sailing in the Mediterranean, and the coasts of Alicante were no exception. These pirates came from the Maghreb coasts (currently Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) and attacked commercial ships and coastal towns, plundering and enslaving the inhabitants.

In the 16th century, Turkish corsairs also became a threat to the coast of Alicante. Turkish corsairs, who were pirates sponsored by the Ottoman Empire, attacked Spanish and Portuguese ships in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. During this century, the Spanish Navy fought against the Turkish corsairs, and several fortifications were built on the coast of Alicante to protect the region from attack.

Pirate invasions on the Alicante coastline

In the 18th century, Barbary pirates and Turkish corsairs were no longer a major threat to Alicante’s coasts, but Spanish ships still confronted English and French pirates during the wars between Spain and these powers. During the Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814), the coasts of Alicante were the scene of several clashes between Spanish ships and English and French vessels.

Today, pirate invasions are no longer a threat to the coast of Alicante, but the history of these invasions remains an important part of the region’s maritime history. Many of the fortifications built in the 16th century can still be seen today and are a reminder of the importance of maritime defence in Alicante’s history.