Hotel Restaurant Polamar - Places of Interest in Santa Pola

Tabarca Island is renowned for its gastronomical excellence and delicious cuisine. It takes about half and hour by boat from Santa Pola's Harbour to reach the Island. Tabarca is surrounded by stone walls and its history is truly fascinating. In medieval times, Tabarca was a favourite hideaway for pirates and their treasures. Who knows what you might find while walking along the beach!

During the winter months the Island is inhabited by thirty people only. In the summer season, however, Tabarca has over two thousand daily visitors keen to experience all the amenities this beautiful and picturesque island has to offer. Despite the large number of tourists, Tabarca manages to retain its laid-back and tranquil atmostphere.

In 1986, the Spanish Ministry of Turism declared Tabarca a Marine Reserve due to the wealth of its flora and fauna and the spectacular sea bed around the Island.

Santa Pola's Salt Flats Nature Park occupies an area of almost 2,500 hectares. The Park combines several ecosystems and contains some of the most interest plant species that can be found in the area. The large concentrations of pink flamingos in the wet marsh area are of special interest. Salt extraction remains the most important economical activity of the region.

The origins of Santa Pola's Castle date back to the Renaissance arquitecture of the XVI century. It currently houses the Sea and Fishing Museums, the Town's Exhibition Centre, the Assembly Hall of Baluarte del Duque, and the Virgin of Loreto's Chapel. The Castle is open seven days a week. Ask in reception for a discount voucher on the entry fee to the museums.

The watchtowers of Tamarit and Escaletes were built in the XV and XVI centuries respectively. These two towers, together with the towers of Atalayola, Pinet to the South of Santa Pola, and Carabassi to the North, were used to guard against the possibility of an attack from a pirate ship or an invasion from the Moorish army patrolling Alicante's coastline.

Santa Pola's lighthouse is located to the East of Santa Pola's Cape and was built in the XIX century over the ruins of the Atalayola Watchtower. Roman remains can still be appreciated in certain parts of the lighthouse. Unfortunately the lighthouse is closed to the general public. However, the views to the Bay and Tabarca Island are breathtaking and well worth the trip.

The Roman ruins of the IV century Palmeral Villa are a must-see in Santa Pola. The Villa was inhabited by a wealthy family and comprises of seven rooms paved with magnificent polychrome mosaiques displaying geometrical motifs and patterns. Palmeral has recently been restored and is currently fully open to visitors.