SANTA POLA

Santa Pola

Santa Pola is a true paradise for beach holidays; you can choose between long sandy stretches and wilder and more secluded coves. Many of these beaches are close to the city center, so you won't need to go too far from your Santa Pola apartment if you want to spend a day at the beach.

A truly fascinating beach, which certainly deserves a visit, is Playa Levante, which has also been awarded the Blue Flag, and where you can relax while taking advantage of all the comforts one would expect from a quality beach establishment.
Another well-equipped beach is Playa de Varadero located in the more urbanized eastern part of Santa Pola. These two places are perfect for spending an unforgettable day at the beach on the Costa Blanca.

• HISTORY OF SANTA POLA
• SANTA POLA FORTRESS CASTLE
• SANTA POLA USEUMS
• PLACES OF INTEREST IN SANTA POLA
• PANORAMIC POINTS
• SANTA POLA FESTIVALS
• NEIGHBORHOOD SANTA POLA
• ON TRIP

If you prefer quieter and more isolated beaches, we recommend the beaches Playa de la Ermita, Playa de la Gola, but also Calas del Cuartel and Calas de L'Aljub.
Other beaches that are worth visiting during your stay are Gran Playa, Playa Lisa, Playa Tamarit, not to mention Playa del Pinet and Calas Santiago Bernabeu.

😎😎😎ALL SANTA POLA BEACHS (LINK) 😎😎😎

Watersports

Santa Pola is a popular resort among water sports enthusiasts. Its beaches offer ideal marine weather conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and very important events are often organized such as the world windsurfing championship. For these reasons there is a lively local sports scene, which, during your holidays on the Costa Blanca, offers the opportunity to socialize and get to know many people from all over the world.

Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in Santa Pola (Link)

The best windsurfing beaches in Santa Pola are Gran Playa, Playa Lisa, Playa Tamarit and Playa de la Gola. On their beaches, near the spots, there are also several discos, and windsurfing centers equipped for rental, which also organize courses to learn. In Santa Pola it is however also possible to practice sailing, paddle boarding and kayaking, but also scuba diving and snorkeling.

Explore the famous Santa Pola salt pans

To the west of the center, you will find the Salinas de Santa Pola ("salt flats of Santa Pola"), a large nature reserve of 2,496 hectares which is home to numerous species of protected wild birds, among other things. The exploitation of this territory for and its destination for salt processing began towards the end of the 14th century and continues today.

Here you can visit the Museo de la Sal ("Salt Museum") where you can discover the techniques used in the extraction process and its history. The huge salt "icebergs" visible almost everywhere in the salt marshes are a testimony to the peculiar economic evolution of this region.

The salt pans are a great place to relax and spend a day in contact with nature with your children. There are many paths that will lead you through the park and will allow you to explore the local flora and fauna, famous above all for the presence of a large population of pink flamingos. Don't forget to bring your binoculars and your camera, as there are many other rare bird species to observe in the salt flats.

A visit to the Castle

In the historic center of Santa Pola, in Plaza de la Glorieta, you will find the fortified castle, declared Bien de Interés Cultural ("Asset of Cultural Interest") of the province of Alicante. Built in the 16th century, it is a great example of Renaissance military architecture. The main purpose of the castle was to protect local sailors from frequent pirate attacks.
Today the castle is used as a cultural center where cultural and religious events are celebrated, and also houses the Museo del Mar (the Maritime Museum). You can access the fortress of Santa Pola through an access gate that leads to a large courtyard called Patio de Armas. Be sure to have a drink or a bite to eat in the lively Plaza de la Glorieta, then enjoy a visit to the castle.

A day at Pola Park

Santa Pola offers many opportunities to have fun, but the best choice is certainly to visit the Pola Park, a theme park of 24,000 square meters, with 30 attractions including slides, flying chairs, roller coasters, as well as a pirate ship, a kart circuit, and a mini-golf course. Pola Park offers a wide range of activities for all ages, within walking distance of the center of Santa Pola, and also has several restaurants where you can eat, so you don't need to bring your own lunch.

This is a great place to spend a fun day with your family, with prices starting at € 3 for an attraction. It is advisable to consult the Pola Park website for the opening hours.

A lesson on marine life at the Municipal Aquarium

Another interesting activity that you can do with your family is to visit the Municipal Aquarium of Santa Pola, the largest salt water aquarium in the entire Valencian Community. The aquarium has an educational purpose for research, which aims to give people the opportunity to learn about local marine life and to protect and recover protected species. The nine large aquariums present are rich in particular species, immersed in their natural habitat and which create a very interesting and engaging atmosphere, for both adults and children.

Excursions to the island of Tabarca

Santa Pola is the closest town to Isla Tabarca, and is only 9 kilometers away from it. Tabarca is the smallest inhabited island in Spain; its permanent population is about 80 people, but during the summer months it is populated with visitors. It is therefore not surprising that tourism is the main source of income for its inhabitants.

The history of the island is worthy of an adventure novel. It seems that the Barbary Corsairs took refuge here until the end of the 18th century. Around 1760, sailors from a Tunisian islet controlled by the Republic of Genoa and called precisely "Tabarca", were shipwrecked near the island. Once rescued, they settled on these lands together with the Spanish soldiers. King Charles III then decided to fortify the island of Tabarca against pirates; the remains of the walls are still visible today.

Nowadays, you no longer have to fear pirates if you want to visit Tabarca. There are several companies in Santa Pola that will allow you to easily reach the island. One of these is Tabarbus which organizes transfers on board a motorboat, the duration of which does not exceed 15 minutes!

Once you arrive on the island, you will notice that the vegetation is very sparse and the landscape is almost desert. Despite appearances, these places are considered very interesting from a naturalistic point of view, and a marine nature reserve called Reserva Marina de la Isla de Tabarca has been established, which is also a sanctuary for the protection of birds. Don't forget your snorkeling gear, as there are many pristine beaches and bays worth exploring with a dive.

Admire the view from the Santa Pola Lighthouse

Northeast of the town center, immersed in an extraordinary natural setting, is the Santa Pola Lighthouse, which offers a splendid view of the Mediterranean and Isla Tabarca. It is the perfect place to put on your hiking shoes or get on your mountain bike and set out to discover the area, enjoying a family day in contact with nature. Occasionally you will have the opportunity to spot some paragliders as they evolve over the skies of the town, famous for the practice of this psort. If you decide to explore the surroundings, we recommend that you bring food and drinks with you, as there are no restaurants or shops nearby.

Santa Pola is a destination that offers endless possibilities to make the most of your vacation. With welcoming beaches, a theme park and various opportunities to practice water sports, as well as wonderful nature and spectacular salt marshes, Santa Pola to spend a special holiday on the Costa Blanca!