This coastal town is placed in the south of Alicante Region, just 17km away from the capital city. Santa Pola is a tourist town of 18.000 inhabitants, and an important fishing fleet.

History: The first civilizations in Santa Pola from which we have written evidence date back from the third millennium B.C. The agriculture and the strategic position that this town occupies in the Mediterranean, as well as the influence of oriental societies like the Greeks and Phoenicians resulted, since the 7th century B.C, in the Iberian culture. From the 1st century A.C, the port begins its development, becoming the maritime trade base of the Roman Empire in this area of the Mediterranean. From the end of the Empire to the High Middle Ages, the area was abandoned. By the end of the 11th century begins the creation of the first military forts of this area in the Valencian Kingdom. In the 18th century there was an economic and demographic development, which laid the foundations for the contemporary Santa Pola.

Culture and Art: The oldest archaeological remains date back from the 4th century A.C, which are called la Casa Romana del Palmeral. From the 16th century come the three watchtowers, which can be visited (Tamarit, in the Salinas, Torre Escaletes, that controlled Tabarca Island, and the Torre Atayola, where the lighthouse was built) and the Fortress Castle to protect and defend the sailors from the pirates attacks.

Gastronomy: It is based on sea products: the gazpacho de mero, blanquillo de rape, guisado de sepia and the caldero are some of the traditional dishes. As for rices, the most demanded are the arroz a banda and the arroz y costra. Among appetizers, the most traditional are the salted fish like the hueva, mojama or bonito, the grouper pastry and the sardine’s cake. As regards desserts, we can have puff pastries with cabello de angel, coca boba and all kind of ice creams, among them the blanco y negro, which is made with coffee and mantecado.

Climate: The Mediterranean climate leaves in this place an annual average temperature of 18ºC without big fluctuations, and so people can enjoy from a permanent spring.

Festivals: Santa Pola has an important sea tradition, so that its festivities are very related to the sea. The Patron Saint’s Fiestas in honour of the Loreto Virgin are celebrated from the 31st August to the 8th September. During the first weekend of March takes place the celebration of MIG Any by the Moors and Christians. By the end of June is held the Romeria del Cap in honour of the Rosario Virgin. On the 16th August is celebrated the Virgen del Carmen’s Day.

Communications: Santa Pola is 15km away form El Altet Airport, which has National and Internacional links. Moreover, the A-7 (E-15) exit is very near.

NATURAL RESERVE OF LAS SALINAS DE SANTA POLA:

Las Salinas de Santa Pola are placed in the province of Alicante. This spot is divided in two areas: salt exploitations and river marshes.

The Natural Park covers 2.496 Hectares, and has birds like flamingos, linnets, teals and shelducks, of ecological interest.

The entrance is free, and there are guided tours, as well.

BEACHES OF SANTA POLA:

Calas del Cabo de l’Aljup: Four sandy coves combined with rocky areas are located in Santa Pola Cape, with an important environmental value. The well-being that offers the fact of bathing in purified, intense-blue waters is incremented by the existence of pine forests and leisure areas.

Calas de Santa Pola del Este: Residential area declared of National Tourist Interest. They are 380 metres long and have a pedestrianized seafront where you can enjoy a walk and an attractive landscape.

Gran Playa: It is a 1km long and 120 metres wide beach, located at the western broad area of the town, where there are small palm tree islands which create an unique environment. Its thin sand and services, such as the possibility of practising a great variety of activities and nautical sports, and the facilities for the disabled, make form this spot a place to be enjoyed by everybody.

Playa El Pinet: More than 3km of thin, golden sand constitute this virgin and opened beach, placed next to the Parque Natural de las Salinas de Santa Pola, where you can still match the dunes and autochthonous vegetation. It is one of the places in the Mediterranean that has not been spoilt yet.

Playa La Gola: The access to this beach is only possible on foot, from the Pinet or the Tamarit beaches. It is placed to the Parque Natural de las Salinas de Santa Pola. It is a natural beach, of purified waters and thin sand, which is 1710 metres long and 10 metres wide.

Playa Lisa: Adjacent to Gran Playa, Playa Lisa, which is 600 metres long and 120 metres wide, offers the possibility of enjoying the nautical activities like windsurfing and jet skis.

Playa Llevant: It is located next to the central area of the town, and offers a wide range of services and infrastructures, as well as games and sports for children. Awarded with a Blue Flag and half kilometre long.

Playa Tamarit: The Blue Flag flying in a flagpole certifies the good services and infrastructures with which this quiet beach is provided, as well as its purified waters and the almost even bottom sea.

Playa Varadero: It is very visited by bathers during summer, and is a semiurban beach with thin sand and quiet waters, which turn it into an ideal spot to have a walk, sunbathe and enjoy the views of Tabarca Island. Awarded with a Blue Flag and it is half kilometre long.

Playas de Santiago Bernabéu: It is a semiurban beach, with thin sand and a spacious seafront. The breakwaters serve as a retention and are divided in three small coves. It is an appropriate place to practise nautical activities like windsurfing and jet ski.