Along the Costa Blanca coastline, a Spanish town is causing a stir amongst tourists seeking a picturesque seaside getaway.

Dubbed the ‘Santorini of Spain’, Altea is a lesser-known coastal town just 10km down the road from Benidorm, a long-standing holiday favourite among thousands of British holidaymakers every year.

The charming Alicante town takes influence from both Grecian and Roman architecture with winding cobbled streets and sand-coloured buildings topped with sky blue domed roofs.

It is this landscape, combined with the stunning Mediterranean Sea backdrop, that has led travellers to compare Altea to the whitewashed volcanic island of Santorini.

Divided across the new and old sections of the town, Altea is a stark contrast to the party resort of Benidorm.

The old town is perched atop a hill, though the steep climb is rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the Spanish coast.

The Church Square is the heart of the community, surrounded on all sides by small bars, cosy cafes, and fine dining restaurants, the plaza offers a true taste of Spanish culture.

Bordering the Mediterranean, local gastronomy is focused on seafood, with shellfish paella and lobster arroz caldoso proving popular among visitors.

In the new town, the palm-lined promenade gives way to Espigó beach, 6km of shoreline just a stone’s throw from tapas bars and other eateries.

With most tourists flocking to neighbouring towns, the beaches of Altea are far less crowded than other Spanish hotspots and offer a serene seaside escape.

The promenade has recently undergone a significant €4 million (£3.35 million) renovation to create a modern seafront with family play areas, a cycle path, and space for trading stalls.

One tourist review published on TripAdvisor read: “This beach is stunning, clean and the sea is a wonder of gorgeous blue.”

Another wrote: “So clean, lovely promenade. Quiet, different in character from Benidorm, yet so near. Had we known we would have travelled there more often, but we only discovered it on our last day.”

Accommodation in Altea is reasonably priced, often dipping below the cost of staying in other popular Costa Blanca resorts.

Flights from the UK vary in cost, often rising to around £130 for a return fare during the summer months, although when booking in advance with budget airlines the price can fall to as little as £40 out of peak season.