Santa Pola
Working fishing port, flamingo salt flats and the ferry to Tabarca island.
Costa Blanca · Alicante
Santa Pola is a real fishing town with the salt pans of the Natural Park right behind it, where flamingos feed most of the year. The port is busy with trawlers, and the ferry to the island of Tabarca leaves from here.
Tabarca is the day out to plan for — a tiny walled island with clear water and a marine reserve.
Santa Pola sits on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante.
Open the larger mapThings to do
- Ferry to Tabarca island
- Flamingo watching at the Salinas natural park hides
- Santa Pola castle-fortress and its aquarium
- The lighthouse viewpoint at Cape Santa Pola
Best beaches
- Playa Levante — long and sandy beside the town
- Playa Lisa
- Gran Playa, close to the salt flats
Family activities
- Tabarca boat trip
- The castle and small aquarium
- Flat promenade for bikes
Restaurants
- Fish straight off the boats near the port
- Caldero and arroz in town
Markets
- Monday market
- Evening summer craft market on the promenade
Hidden gems
- The bird hides at the salinas in late afternoon
- Cala del Palmeral
Walks
- Cape Santa Pola clifftop path
- The salinas circular from the visitor centre
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