If you want to discover one of the most complete destinations on the Costa Blanca, keep reading this article, which will tell you everything to see in Santa Pola, a town just a short distance from Alicante that combines beaches, natural spaces, history, and culture. A perfect place to enjoy the good weather and the sea almost all year round.
We’ll tell you which are the best beaches and coves in the area, what to do and what to see in Santa Pola and its surroundings, and we’ll give you some practical tips for an unforgettable holiday trip. If you’re looking for a destination for your next days of relaxation and enjoyment, this article is for you.
Best beaches and coves in Santa Pola
Along its several kilometers of coastline, Santa Pola offers perfect beaches for different types of travelers. These are some of our favorites and the best ones to see in Santa Pola.
Levante Beach
The main beach in Santa Pola and the most central, Levante Beach, is quite busy due to its fine sand, calm and shallow waters, and for having essential services for family vacations, such as restaurants, showers, sun loungers, and children’s areas. It’s perfect if you don’t want to go too far from the city center, similar to Postiguet Beach in Alicante.
Gran Playa
Near the port we have Gran Playa, with its kilometer-long sandy area and calm waters, ideal for swimming, paddle surfing, or simply sunbathing in a pleasant atmosphere.
Playa Lisa
A short distance from Gran Playa, this shallow-water beach is perfect for taking advantage of the easterly wind and feeling the adrenaline of kitesurfing or windsurfing.
Tamarit Beach
Following Playa Lisa, this beach offers a relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of space to walk and feel the sea breeze, and is one of the favorite spots for water sports enthusiasts, as well as an ideal space for flying kites.
Santiago Bernabéu Coves
These coves are located on the Santiago Bernabéu promenade. Small and rocky, they are ideal for those seeking tranquility and crystal-clear waters for snorkeling.
Varadero Beach
Near the marina, one of the places you must see in Santa Pola, you can find this sand and rock beach, perfect for resting and enjoying a calm and serene sea.
Carabassí Beach
This beach belongs to Elche, but it’s just a few minutes from Santa Pola; that’s why it’s worth a visit. It is a very long beach, located in a beautiful natural setting with dunes and pine forests, and stands out for its beauty.
Santa Pola Cape Coves
At the Santa Pola Cape, you’ll find small rocky coves that offer plenty of peace and privacy, as well as interesting seabeds to explore with snorkeling or diving.
Santa Pola Salt Flats Natural Park
If you’re looking for what to see in Santa Pola, the Salt Flats Natural Park is one of the best options. With 2,500 hectares, it is a wetland of enormous importance on the Mediterranean coast, a protected space that combines great ecological wealth with the practical function of being a salt extraction site. It is one of the best nature-related plans you can do in Alicante.
One of the highlights of the area is the abundance and variety of birds, making it a highly sought-after spot for observing species such as flamingos, grey herons, black-winged stilts, plovers, and avocets, among others. This park is equipped for birdwatching, with signposted trails and special areas for this purpose. If you can visit at sunset, the effect of the light on the salt flats will make you fall in love.
Castle-Fortress and local museums
Another thing to see in Santa Pola is its Castle-Fortress, located in the heart of the city’s historic center, which at the time of its construction served to defend the place from pirate attacks. It is a quadrangular structure, typical of Renaissance military architecture, which currently houses the Sea Museum. Here you can appreciate Roman archaeological remains and other elements that show the importance of fishing in this region.
Lighthouse Viewpoint and Skywalk
One of the places you must see in Santa Pola is its lighthouse, where a Skywalk has been built: a steel walkway that ends in a glass floor and offers incredible views of the Mediterranean, the Costa Blanca, and Tabarca Island. As a complement, you can take a hiking route through the lighthouse area and walk along the spectacular cliffs.
Excursion to Tabarca Island
Visiting Tabarca Island by boat is one of the best plans you can do in Santa Pola. Boats leave every day, covering the short distance between the coast and the Historic-Artistic Site of Tabarca in less than half an hour. There you will find Spain’s first Marine Reserve, with its crystal-clear waters and extremely rich seabeds that deserve to be explored. It’s a must-see in Santa Pola.
On the island, there is a small walled urban center with several buildings of great historical importance that will make you feel like you’re in another era. Additionally, the island’s beaches are fantastic: we recommend looking for one of the restaurants with sea views and ordering the “caldero tabarquino,” the island’s signature dish.
Plan your visit to Santa Pola and come enjoy the Costa Blanca
Now that you know what to see in Santa Pola, you just have to organize your trip and prepare for this unforgettable experience. The first step should be finding the ideal accommodation for you and your loved ones, and for that, there’s no better option than visiting Fidalsa Holidays, experts in holiday rentals in Alicante and other areas of our country. Choose your perfect accommodation and book online, hassle-free and at the best price.
Santa Pola has a lot to offer you and here you will find practically every experience you can imagine. Explore its 16th-century castle, observe the fauna and flora of its protected natural space, relax on its beaches, and taste the region’s traditional gastronomy in its restaurants. Furthermore, it is a privileged spot for exploring other points of the Costa Blanca, so don’t think twice. Santa Pola is your next destination.
