Altea weather by month

When to go to Altea

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: June, July, August, September. October is the wettest month (70 mm, about 8 rainy days) and July the driest (8 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 26.4°C and coolest in February at 13.8°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC, 56 km from Altea) takes roughly 2 h 30 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Madrid.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Altea between 1991 and 2020 reached 40.7°C on 4 July 1994; the coldest fell to -1.6°C on 28 January 2005. In August one day in ten tops 33.6°C and about 63% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 4.4°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was October 2007 with 282 mm, against a October average of 70 mm.

Winter into spring: mild afternoons, cool evenings

December and February average 16°C by day, with January slightly cooler at 15°C. That makes winter reasonable for spending time outdoors, but not reliably warm enough for sitting around in light summer clothes. January and February nights average 8°C, so bring a proper evening layer and a jacket for showers. March reaches 18°C and April 20°C, making spring increasingly comfortable for active days without summer heat. The catch is the sea: it averages just 14°C in March and 16°C in April. May is the better compromise if you want warmer afternoons, reaching 23°C, though its 18°C sea will still feel cool to many swimmers. Across winter and spring, keep outdoor plans flexible rather than expecting uninterrupted dry weather.

Summer: the clearest choice for swimming and dry days

June offers the best balance if you want summer warmth without the highest temperatures: days average 28°C, the sea reaches 22°C and rain falls on an average of 2 days. July is hotter at 30°C and has just 1 rain day, making it the strongest choice when dry outdoor time matters most. August brings the greatest heat, with days around 31°C and sea temperatures of 26°C. In July and August, nights average 22°C, so accommodation with cooling is a sensible priority if you struggle to sleep in warmth. Plan active outings away from midday, pack light clothing and leave room for shade breaks rather than treating the heat as an invitation to stay outside all afternoon.

Autumn: warm water, but a greater chance of rain

September is a useful alternative to midsummer if you prefer less intense daytime heat. It averages 27°C, while the sea holds at 25°C, so swimming remains a strong reason to visit. The trade-off is wetter weather, with 7 rain days on average. October still reaches 23°C by day and its 22°C sea may suit swimmers who do not need peak summer warmth, but it has the most rain days at 8. Keep plans flexible and pack a waterproof layer. November shifts towards a mild-weather break: days average 18°C and nights 12°C. Its 19°C sea is cooler, making time outdoors on land a more comfortable focus for travellers who dislike chilly water.