Hotels in Santa Pola

Santa Pola

Santa Pola is a coastal town of about 39,700 people in the Bajo Vinalopó comarca of the province of Alicante. Its main draws are its historic remains, its port, its salt pans and its Blue Flag beaches. The town lies between two protected areas, the Salinas de Santa Pola natural park to the west and the sierra and cape of Santa Pola to the east. More than 11 km of beaches line its 13 km of coast. The Renaissance castle-fortress was built in 1557 to protect sailors from pirates and corsairs. In Roman times the Portus Illicitanus here served the city of Illici and was among the region's leading ports. Fishing remains important, with hake, red mullet, crustaceans and molluscs sold at the local fish market. The lighthouse on the cape stands on a 16th-century watchtower, on a cliff 144 metres above the sea. Tabarca island lies less than three nautical miles off the cape. It suits families, birdwatchers and travellers who want beaches and seafood close to Alicante-Elche airport.