Santa Pola Near Alicante: Everything You Need for Holidays and Buying Property
Contents
1. General Information
Santa Pola is a municipality in the Valencian Community on the Alicante provincial coast. In 2019, the population was 32,306. The town is known for historic ruins, its fortress, port, salt lakes and Blue Flag beaches.
Population growth accelerated significantly in the 20th century. Gran Alacant, a new district approximately 5 km north, comprises about a third of the municipality’s population and is located near Alicante Airport.
The geographic landscape is diverse with the Sierra de Santa Pola reaching 143 m and the Elche lagoon to the south. Salt extraction has been carried out here since ancient times.
2. Climate
Mild Mediterranean, moderately arid climate with an average annual temperature of approximately 18 C. Range typically 7-30 C. January averages 14 C; August 26 C. Rainfall under 240 mm annually. Peak sea temperature (July-September) 25-26 C.
3. How to Get to Santa Pola
Alicante-Elche Airport is just 13 km away, 12 minutes by car via the N-332. Bus approximately 30 minutes, EUR 2.45. Vectalia buses run several times daily.
4. History
Earliest settlements date to the 3rd millennium BC. In the 1st century AD, the Portus Illicitanus port was built serving Illici (Elche). The fortress was constructed in 1557 against Berber pirates. In 1877, King Alfonso XII granted Santa Pola city status.
5. Beaches
13 km of coastline divided into several sectors. City beaches: Tamarit, Lisa and Gran Playa west of the port; Coves of Santiago Bernabeu and Varadero to the east. Tabarca Island lies 5.5 km offshore.
Key beaches include Playa de Santa Pola del Este (1,270 m, Blue Flag since 2006), Varadero (475 m, Blue Flag), Levante (420 m, dark sand), Calas de Santiago Bernabeu (1,000 m, Blue Flag, named after Real Madrid’s long-time president), Gran Playa (1,100 m with excellent disabled access), Playa Lisa (600 m, calm waves, windsurfing school).
Near the Salinas natural park: Tamarit (Blue Flag), Playa del Pinet (3 km golden sand) and Bras del Port. La Gola (3.2 km, isolated, kitesurfing zone).
6. Attractions
The Santa Pola Fortress (Castillo-Fortaleza, 1557) is the main attraction - a Renaissance military architecture example now functioning as a cultural centre with the Sea Museum, Fishing Museum and Chapel of the Virgin of Loreto.
Surviving watchtowers from 1552: Torre Tamarit, Torre Escaletes (Cultural Interest Site), Torre Atalayola (now a lighthouse since 1858) and the cylindrical Torre Carabassi.
Santa Pola Port is one of the oldest in the region, active since the 4th century BC. The Club Nautico (1980) has 550 berths. Daily fish auctions (Peix de Santa Pola) run Monday-Friday, 16:00-19:00.
7. Archaeological Sites
Remains of the ancient Portus Illicitanus: trade district fragments, 1st-century BC residential walls. The Roman Villa del Palmeral (4th century) features mosaics with geometric motifs and Solomon’s knots.
8. Natural Attractions
Two natural parks surround Santa Pola: Salinas de Santa Pola (2,570 ha, RAMSAR listed) with around 8,000 flamingos during breeding, and Sierra y Cabo de Santa Pola with a unique Miocene coral reef. Tabarca Island marine reserve (since 1986) is 25 minutes by catamaran.
9. Museums
Sea Museum (Museo del Mar) in the fortress: Roman villa mosaics, coins, ceramics. EUR 3; combined with aquarium EUR 5. Fishing Museum with 8 halls. Salt Museum in an old salt mill. Municipal Aquarium (since 1996), the oldest saltwater aquarium in the Valencian Community.
10. Entertainment
Beach holidays, nature parks, museums. Pola Park for families: 30 rides on 24,000 m2. Tandem paragliding at the lighthouse from EUR 80.
11. Gastronomy
Fish and rice cuisine: arroz a banda, arroz negro, bollitori, gazpacho de mero, caldereta de langosta, caldero. Restaurants: Buenisimo Tu Taperia, Nueva Casa del Mar, Batiste, La Sidreria, El Capitan, Sapori d’Italia, Krishna Indian Restaurant.
12. Events and Festivals
Key events: March Mig-Any festival, Semana Santa, June pilgrimage, 16 July Virgin del Carmen day, 31 August-8 September Moors and Christians festival, 10 December Virgin of Loreto day.
13. Hotels and Apartments
Predominantly apartments and guesthouses. Oceanic Santa Pola (3-bed, 6 people, EUR 108-175), Alojamientos Santa Pola (from EUR 33-85), Cassaturis Apartments (pool, EUR 52-146). Tabarca: Boutique Isla Tabarca (3-star, EUR 75-150).
14. Property in Santa Pola
Santa Pola is known for affordable property. As a summer resort, winter occupancy is low. Price per m2 in lines 1-4 from sea: EUR 1,620; from 500 m: from EUR 1,315.
Seaside resort property is predominantly 1960s-1970s resale in 5-storey buildings without lifts. Small 1-2 bed apartments from EUR 70,000. New townhouses from EUR 150,000; detached villas from EUR 250,000.