Known for its fishing heritage and salt flats, Santa Pola is a coastal town on the Costa Blanca with approximately 20,000 residents and has everything a visitor could need on a holiday.

It is conveniently located less than 20 minutes from Alicante, Elche and the international airport, making it an ideal tourist destination.

• What to do in Santa Pola
  • Casa de la Cultura
  • Museums
    • Esteban González Fishing Boat
    • Maritime Museum
    • The Roman Villa of Portus Illicitanus
  • Santa Pola Lighthouse
  • Tower of Escaletes
• Where to Eat in Santa Pola
• Where to Stay in Santa Pola
• The Surrounding Area
  • Alicante
  • Elche (Elx)

What to do in Santa Pola

Casa de la Cultura

The Casa de la Cultura is spread across six floors and serves as one of Santa Pola’s main cultural hubs. Alongside regular exhibitions and performances, visitors can take part in ceramics workshops or spend time in the public library.

Museums

Esteban González Fishing Boat

The Esteban González is a fishing boat that has been converted into a museum near the Plaza Constitución.

They occasionally offer free guided tours for up to 10 people, teaching visitors about the traditional fishing practices and the daily lives of fishermen at sea.

Maritime Museum

Santa Pola's Maritime Museum doubles as an ethnology museum, telling the story of the town's fishing traditions alongside archaeological discoveries.

It also houses permanent exhibitions dedicated to artists Leonor Hochschild and María Dolores Mulá, as well as having rotating temporary shows and concerts held throughout the year.

The Roman Villa of Portus Illicitanus

The Roman Villa of Portus Illicitanus was constructed in 4 A.D. when Santa Pola was an important commercial hub for the Roman empire. It has seven rooms decorated with mosaics and murals.

Nearby and older still is the archaeological site with the remains of the port itself, from 1 A.D. where there are store rooms and a salting factory.

Santa Pola Lighthouse

The lighthouse of Santa Pola sits atop a cliff that is over 100 metres above sea level, with a nearby viewpoint, all offering great views of the coast, making it popular spot for watching the sunrise and photographers.

Tower of Escaletes

The Tower of Escaletes is one of several watchtowers built in the 16th and 17th centuries to defend the coast from pirates. Today it offers panoramic views over the Mediterranean and the surrounding coastline.

Where to Eat in Santa Pola

Being a traditional fishing town, Santa Pola is known for its seafood with plenty of options for food lovers. Some popular choices include:

• Narcea – a traditional seafood restaurant specialising in local fish and shellfish.
• Callaito – offering a modern menu inspired by flavours from around the world.
• Venecia – known for its variety of tapas, with plenty more to offer.

Where to Stay in Santa Pola

Visitors will find a range of accommodation in Santa Pola, from hotels close to the beach to more central options near the town’s landmarks. A few popular choices are:

• Hotel Gran Playa – featuring a swimming pool and views over the salt flats.
• Hotel Narcea – located in the historic centre, just steps away from the castle-fortress.
• Hotel Quatre Llunes – a central hotel within a short walk of the beach.

The Surrounding Area

Alicante

Just a short drive from Santa Pola, Alicante is vibrant port city and great tourist destination with plenty to do and explore as well as being a main transport hub with connections by rail, road and air.

Elche (Elx)

Elche, or Elx in Valencian, is famous for its palm grove and their performance of Misteri d'Elx, both of which are recognised by UNESCO.