DK Travel : Costa Blanca : Isla Tabarca

Isla Tabarca

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Tabarca is the only inhabited island on the Alicante coast. The western end is wild and empty, guarded by an 18th-century watchtower and a remote lighthouse; at the eastern end is the pretty walled village of Nova Tabarca. The port, with a cluster of busy seafood restaurants and cafés, backs onto the island’s only sandy beach, which can get very busy in summer, particularly at weekends. The incredibly clear waters which surround the island have been designated a marine reserve and are popular with divers and snorkellers.
Most of the smaller islands off the coast of Tabarca can be reached on foot by scrambling over the rocks – but watch the tides.

Top 10 Sights

1. Casa del Gobernador

1. Casa del Gobernador

Long since stripped of its original fittings, the 18th-century Governor’s House, now a simple hotel (see Hotel Casa del Gobernador, Isla Tabarca), remains the finest residence on the island.
2. Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo

Dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, Tabarca’s church, perched right above the sea, is built of faded, rosy stone. Its simple façade has some pretty Baroque flourishes.
3. Lighthouse

3. Lighthouse

Tabarca’s lighthouse emerges from the scrubby wilderness at the western tip of the island. It is a substantial 19th-century affair combining sturdy living quarters with a slender tower. Long mechanized, the lighthouse is closed to visitors.
4. Torre de San José

4. Torre de San José

This impressive 18th-century watchtower was built as part of the fortifications which protected the islanders from pirate raids. In the 19th century it was used as a prison.
5. Beaches

The main beach on Tabarca is a silvery arc of sand opposite the port. It attracts huge numbers of sunbathers and swimmers during summer. Thanks to their shingle beaches, the gorgeous coves which fringe the entire island are less popular, so they make great places to escape the crowds.
6. Marine Reserve

The island of Tabarca was declared a marine reserve in 1986. Its waters contain a wealth of aquatic life among the rocks and reefs. A number of companies in Santa Pola offer diving and snorkelling trips.
7. Port

7. Port

Tabarca’s little port is the island’s hub, where a few colourfully painted fishing boats are dwarfed by the incoming and outgoing ferries.
8. City Walls

8. City Walls

The 18th-century village of Nova Tabarca was fortified to withstand pirate attacks. Stretches of wall and some of the gates survive.
9. The Islands

Tabarca is the largest island of a small archipelago. The islets off its coast are perfect for swimming and picnicing.
10. Nova Tabarca

10. Nova Tabarca

The quiet streets of this simple little settlement of low, brightly painted houses offer delightful glimpses of flower-filled patios and palm-shaded squares.

Practical Information

There are dozens of cafés and restaurants in the port area, offering local specialities like caldero tabarquino, a delicious fish stew. Try the mid-range La Almadraba (see La Almadraba, Isla Tabarca). The ferry service from Santa Pola (at least four crossings a day) is faster and more frequent than the one from Alicante (one daily). A small information booth is open on the island itself during high season. The rest of the year, consult the Santa Pola tourist office. Tourist information booth: 676 48 64 27 Open July–Aug: 11am–2pm, 5–7pm daily Santa Pola tourist office: C/Astilleros 4 966 69 62 39