Journal
Altea Hills and Sierra de Altea: What Buyers Should Know About These Gated Hillside Urbanisations
By Elia Living ·
The Hillside Above Altea That Foreign Buyers Keep Choosing
Altea is well known for its whitewashed old town and the artistic community that has gathered there for decades. Less discussed — yet consistently commanding the area's highest property prices — are the two gated hillside urbanisations that sit above the town on the southern flanks of the Sierra Bernia: Altea Hills and Sierra de Altea.
These are not beach-strip developments. They occupy elevated terrain between Altea and Calpe, offering panoramic views over the Altea Bay, the Benidorm skyline and, on clear days, as far south as Alicante. For international buyers seeking privacy, security and scale that the old town's cobbled lanes cannot accommodate, they represent the most sought-after residential addresses in the southern half of Costa Blanca North.
Two Urbanisations, One Hillside — How They Differ
Altea Hills is a fully gated residential community covering roughly 200 hectares and around 500 residential units. Entry is through a manned security barrier; there is no passing traffic. A satellite surveillance system monitors every road within the development simultaneously, tracking vehicle number plates, with CCTV operating around the clock. Private streets — including their lighting — are maintained by the community itself, not the Altea town hall. Fees are charged to each owner in proportion to the size of their property.
Sierra de Altea sits between Altea La Vella and Altea Hills, adjacent to the golf course. It has a different character: wider streets, larger individual plots, abundant pine trees and an atmosphere that visitors often liken to the French Riviera. It is not enclosed by a single perimeter barrier in the same way as Altea Hills, but it remains a prestige area with a premium price tier and very little through traffic. Almost every villa has an uninterrupted view across Altea Bay.
The choice between them often comes down to one preference: Altea Hills for buyers who want the most controlled and monitored environment; Sierra de Altea for buyers who want generous plots and a more open, park-like setting at a somewhat lower entry price.
What Buyers Pay
Altea Hills is almost entirely contemporary villas and upscale apartments, with modern minimalist architecture having largely displaced the terracotta-and-arch style of the development's late-1990s origins.
Current price ranges (mid-2026):
| Property type | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Apartments and townhouses | €400,000–€1,500,000 |
| Penthouses | €700,000–€1,800,000+ |
| Resale villas | €850,000–€3,000,000 |
| New-build contemporary villas | €2,000,000–€8,000,000+ |
Price per square metre for premium Altea Hills properties typically runs between €4,000 and €5,100 — meaningfully above the Altea municipal average of €3,174/m² for houses recorded by Engel & Völkers in August 2026. The premium reflects security infrastructure, unobstructed views and the low-density planning that protects those views long-term.
Sierra de Altea offers a lower entry point. Villas here typically range from around €400,000 for a well-located three-bedroom property to €995,000+ for contemporary builds with premium views. The proximity to Altea La Vella — with supermarkets, a pharmacy, bars and restaurants — is an added practical bonus.
Who Lives Here
Both urbanisations attract a strongly Northern and Central European buyer profile. Dutch, Belgian, German, French and Swiss buyers make up a large share of transactions; British and Scandinavian purchasers are also well represented. The typical buyer is a high-net-worth professional, entrepreneur or semi-retired couple seeking a primary or secondary residence that combines privacy with proximity to Altea's cultural life.
Year-round occupation is notably high for a Costa Blanca resort area — these are not properties that sit empty for ten months. Post-pandemic, digital nomads and families relocating permanently have added a younger element to both communities.
Getting Around
Both urbanisations are car-dependent — walking to the beach or supermarket is not practical. The logistics are excellent, however:
- Mascarat Beach: 3–5 minutes
- Marina Greenwich, Altea: 4–5 minutes
- Altea Old Town: 5–10 minutes
- Altea Golf Club (9-hole layout, par 72, playing as 18 from double tees; designed 1974, refurbished 2006): 10–15 minutes
- Calpe: 10–15 minutes
- Alicante Airport: ~65 km, approximately 45–50 minutes via the AP-7
The AP-7 junction for Altea is very close; the motorway connection is among the best of any hillside urbanisation in the region.
Practical Buying Considerations
Community fees: In Altea Hills, owners pay towards private road maintenance, 24/7 security, communal gardens and shared infrastructure. The fees are described by community sources as "relatively modest given the facilities," though they vary by property size. Always request a copy of the current comunidad budget before making an offer.
Planning: Both urbanisations fall under Altea municipality's planning rules, which include density and building-height controls designed to preserve views and low-density character. Any extension or new build requires a municipal licence. A specialist lawyer should review the planning status of the plot and any existing structures before you commit.
Infrastructure: Altea Hills has been upgraded with fibre-optic broadband, making it fully viable for remote workers and permanent residents alike.
Frequently asked questions
Is Altea Hills the same development as Sierra de Altea? No. They are two separate urbanisations on the same hillside. Altea Hills is a fully enclosed gated community with a single controlled entry barrier. Sierra de Altea is an adjacent, more open development with larger plots, primarily accessed from the Altea La Vella area near the golf course.
What is the minimum budget needed to buy in Altea Hills? Apartments start from around €400,000–€450,000. Standalone villas begin from approximately €850,000 for a resale property, rising to €2,000,000+ for new-build contemporary homes.
Are the community fees high in Altea Hills? Fees cover 24/7 security, private road and lighting maintenance and communal green areas. They are proportional to property size and generally considered reasonable for the infrastructure provided. Request the annual comunidad statement before exchanging contracts.
Who typically buys here? Predominantly Dutch, Belgian, German, French, Swiss, Scandinavian and British buyers — high-net-worth professionals, entrepreneurs and semi-retirees seeking privacy, security and year-round community in a highly accessible location.
How far is Altea Hills from Alicante Airport? Approximately 65 kilometres via the AP-7 motorway, around 45–50 minutes in normal traffic. Valencia Airport is roughly 90 minutes in the opposite direction.
Are there planning restrictions on what I can build? Yes. Altea Hills and Sierra de Altea are both subject to Altea municipal planning rules, with controls on density and height. A local architect and an independent property lawyer should be consulted before any extension or new-build project.