Santa Pola · Recommendations

• Gran Playa

  Fine sand and calm waters 100 m from the entrance. Blue Flag beach with a seafront promenade full of beach bars.

• The harbour and fish market

  Fishing and marina harbour, with fresh seafood and restaurants right by the water.

• The lighthouse and the Cape

  Viewpoints over the Mediterranean and hiking routes to Cabo de Santa Pola.

• Salt flats and nature park

  Flamingos, trails and birdwatching just minutes away by car.

• Tabarca Island

  Boat trip from the harbour to the Tabarca marine reserve.

• Market and old town

  Shops, tapas and atmosphere just a couple of minutes' walk from Calle Burgos.

Restaurants & Drinks

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  La Sal

  Medio

  Paella specialists

  Located on Santa Pola's new Adolfo Suárez seafront promenade with harbour views, with a set menu of starters and paella for around €20 on average. Highly recommended.

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  La Barca

  Medio

  Paella and tapas

  Right on the seafront promenade, next to Burger King and the Tabarca ticket booths, this restaurant serves everything — paella, tapas, fish, meat… something for everyone.

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  Los Curros

  Medio

  Paella specialists

  Fully renovated, this restaurant sits on Playa de Levante, right by the sand. Stunning sea views and unbeatable value for money.

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  Vintage

  Alto

  Paella and seafood

  Inside Santa Pola's yacht club, this is one of the best restaurants around. Paella, fish, seafood. If you want to treat yourself, this is the place — the harbour views are fantastic.

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  Batiste

  Alto

  Paella, fish, seafood

  A Santa Pola classic, over 50 years serving top-quality produce. Specialists in paella, fish and seafood, with private parking. Right on the seafront promenade — highly recommended.

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  El Zero

  Bajo

  Tapas specialists

  The locals' favourite in Santa Pola. This tapas bar offers surprisingly great value for money. You have to try the Russian salad and the octopus baked over potato.

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  ZBRA

  Medio

  Pizza, meat, cocktails

  This spot is especially lovely at night, with harbour views. Vermouth, cocktails, pizza, meat… a trendy place in Santa Pola for a great night out. Recommended!

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  Aires

  Medio

  Smash Burgers

  Like burgers? These are excellent — the classic smash style, with plenty of varieties. Try them!

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  St. James

  Medio

  Beer and live music

  This bar right on the seafront promenade has a large terrace and live music every weekend (every day in summer), with a great, family-friendly atmosphere.

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Tabarca Island — Sun, snorkelling and caldero

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  Tabarca Information

  Tabarca tourism page (also in English)

  Information
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  Transport · Boat

  Boat tickets to Tabarca (with underwater viewing). Departures every 30 minutes in summer, 20-minute crossing, €10 return.

  Buy tickets
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  Rte. Don Jerónimo

  Medio

  Caldero and paella

  Tabarca's signature dish is the Caldero, a fish stew later used to make the paella.

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Museums & Culture

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  Museo del Mar

  Fortress · C/ Sacramento, 11Free

  Headquartered at the Castillo-Fortaleza, the Museo del Mar preserves the memory of this seafaring town.

  Information
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  Fishing Boat Museum

  Plaza de la Constitución, next to the harbour€3 per person

  Showcases the town's most significant fishing method, trawling, and what life was like on board and ashore.

  Information
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  Aquarium

  Plaza de Fernández Ordóñez, s/nFree

  Covers 707 m² with 9 large tanks featuring a wide variety of Mediterranean species.

  Information

Map of Santa Pola

Located on the Mediterranean coast, Santa Pola is the ideal starting point for exploring the hidden gems of Alicante province. Its beaches are synonymous with relaxation, marine life and family moments — among them Playa Lisa, Playa del Tamarit, Playa del Pinet, Playa de la Gola and Playa de Ermita. Near this last beach lies one of the town's most significant sites: the Cueva de la Araña. Remains and objects from inhabitants who lived there between 2500 and 3000 BC have been found in this cave, along with a notable rock painting depicting a red horse. Just 20 minutes from Santa Pola lies Tabarca Island, the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community — a perfect spot for a family day out or to relax in the sun, enjoy its beaches and snorkel in its crystal-clear waters.