Santa Pola

Santa Pola is in the province of Alicante, around 20 km south of the city. The main attractions of Santa Pola are its historical remains, its port, its salt flats and its beaches with the blue flag, a symbol of environmental quality awarded by the European Foundation for Environmental Education.

Understand

Fortress Castle of Santa Pola

Santa Pola is on the Costa Blanca, in the southeast of Spain in the Valencian Community, about 20 km south of Alicante. It is primarily a tourist and fishing town, popular with tourists from other parts of Spain during the summer.

Get in

By bus

If you are coming from Alicante, Pilar de la Horadada, Torrevieja or Guardamar, check the Autocares Costazul timetable.

If you come from Elche, check the Vectalia timetables.

By plane

Santa Pola is a 15-minute car journey from Alicante-Elche Airport ( ALC ^IATA). The official taxi operator is Radio Taxi Elche (cars marked with "ELX") who have a taxi rank outside. The fare to Santa Pola is about €25 (early 2023).

Get around

Santa Pola is a small town, everywhere can be reached within an hour by walking.

By taxi

Taxi Santa Pola are a taxi firm based in the town, offering return journeys to the airport for around €25 (early 2023).

See

• 1 Castillo Fortaleza De Santa Pola. A 16th-century castle in the centre of the town built in 1557 to protect sailors against attacks by pirates and corsairs. Inside are the Sea Museum, the Fishing Museum, the Virgen de Loreto Chapel and the Municipal Exhibition Hall. 
• 2 Roman Villa of the Palm Grove (Villa romana del Palmeral). Roman villa from the 4th century, which contains polychrome mosaics in a geometric style. This mansion was the residence of a wealthy family, which carried out its activity in the Portus Illicitanus. 
• 3 Portus Illicitanus. Remains of a Roman port, called by ancient geographers Portus Illicitanus (4th century AD). 
• 4 Saltworks of Santa Pola (Salinas de Santa Pola). Wetland declared of international importance. The Salinas de Santa Pola Natural Park has an area of ​​2,470 hectares. To enjoy them you will have to have a car, since they are outside the municipality. 
• 5 Tamarit Tower (Torre de Tamarit). Coastal watchtower built in 1552. It is located in Las Salinas de Santa, so it is necessary to have a car to get there. Free. 
• 6 Escaletes Tower (Torre de Escaletes). Also known as Torre del Pep. It is a watchtower from the 16th century. It has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. 
• 7 Salt Museum (Museo de la Sal), ☏ +34 965 938 590, parque_santapola@gva.es. Daily 09:00-14:00. Located in an old salt factory, the museum allows us to discover the salt extraction process and its history, as well as information about the Salinas Natural Park. Free. 
• 8 Santa Pola Aquarium (Acuario). The aquarium shows marine species from the bay of Santa Pola and the island of Tabarca. Check the price and schedules on the website. 
• 9 Esteban González Museum Ship (Barco Museo Esteban González), ☏ +34 965 416 916, barcomuseo@santapola.es. The Esteban González is a ship-museum where you can see what life was like on board the fishermen of Santa Pola. The museum can be seen with a guided tour and can be reserved at the Santa Pola aquarium or by phone or email. The entrance costs €3, but combined with the entrance to the aquarium it costs €5. 

Do

• 1 Tabarca Island (a ferry and various boats leave from the promenade of the port of Santa Pola). Tabarca is the only inhabited island in the entire community. It is perfect for spending a day at the beach in summer. A 15-minute boat journey from the harbour, with tickets from about €10 (early 2023). 

Buy

• 1 Food market (Mercado de abastos). M-Sa 08:00-14:00. It has different shops where you can buy fresh products from the area. It was built in 1935 on top of a church from the early 19th century that was demolished as a result of an earthquake. 

Eat

Santa Pola is a fishing town, consequently excellent seafood is easy to find. Opening times for restaurants can be inconsistent during the off season/winter.