Where it is
Santa Pola is a fishing and resort town on the coast between Elche and Guardamar; the municipality includes the Gran Alacant development by the N-332. For healthcare, Santa Pola belongs to the Elche Health Department, not Torrevieja. It is the closest point on the mainland to Tabarca island.
Beaches
Five Santa Pola beaches hold the Blue Flag for 2026–2027 (ADEAC): Calas del Este, Calas de Santiago Bernabéu, La Ermita, Tamarit (regained in 2026) and Varador. Gran Playa and Playa de Levante are adapted for people with reduced mobility, with wide walkways to the water, support staff and lifeguards; the assisted bathing service runs from June to the second week of September by booking (tel. 966 393 798).
Dog beach
Caleta dels Gossets is the third Cala del Cuartel cove on Cape Santa Pola, in a specially protected natural area; dogs are allowed. In high season there is a beach bar with a public toilet.
- Your dog must be microchipped and dewormed; bring the up-to-date vaccination booklet. Sick dogs, females in heat and puppies without all their vaccinations are not allowed.
- No more than two dogs per person; pick up droppings; potentially dangerous breeds must wear a muzzle and collar and stay on the lead; professional training is not allowed.
Markets and fresh fish
- Fish auction (Lonja): Monday to Friday, roughly 16:00–18:00, you can watch the bidding. Afterwards fish is sold at the fishermen’s guild shop (C/ Muelle, 36; Tue–Sat 9:15–13:30 and from 17:00 in the evening), and stalls by the fishing port open on weekdays from 17:30.
- In summer (1 July–31 August) an evening craft market runs on the promenade, 19:30–01:00.
| Where | When | What |
|---|---|---|
| Mercado Central, Plaza Maestro Quislant | Mon–Fri 7:00–14:00, Sat 7:00–14:30 | fruit, vegetables, meat, fish; tel. 965 997 811 |
| Viguetas market, Elche–Santa Pola road (opposite the bus station) | Mon 7:00–13:30, Sat 7:00–14:00 | over 300 stalls: food, clothes, shoes, household goods |
| Outside the Mercado Central | Sat 7:00–14:30 | food and flowers |
| Gran Alacant, C/ Antoñita Sanchís Buades (by Aldi) | Thu 8:00–14:00 | almost 100 stalls |
| Gran Alacant second-hand market, Av. Escandinavia | Sun 9:00–14:00 | second-hand goods from local associations |
Healthcare
- In a life-threatening emergency call 112. If your SIP card is assigned to a centre in Torrevieja, note that Santa Pola is in a different health department.
| Centre | Address and phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Pola Health Centre (has an urgent care service) | Av. Albacete, s/n (by the municipal pool); 966 915 300, urgent care 966 915 303 | weekdays 8–21, Sat 8–15; summer 8–15 |
| Gran Alacant clinic and urgent care point (PAC) | Av. Escandinavia, 31; 966 912 360 | 8–21 (1 July–30 September 8–15). PAC: in winter 21:00–8:00; 24 hours at weekends and in summer |
Tabarca and the Salinas Natural Park
Tabarca is the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community; it belongs to the city of Alicante and lies about 3 miles from Cape Santa Pola. Boats leave Santa Pola’s port all year round. The island was declared a historic site in 1964, and in 1986 Spain’s first marine reserve was created here. Nueva Tabarca Museum: tel. 965 960 175. Boat timetables and fares are published by the operators — the tourist office lists them; we do not quote prices.
- The Salinas de Santa Pola Natural Park covers 2,470 hectares of salt pans by the bay. It is a wetland of international importance (Ramsar) and a special protection area for birds; flamingos and black-winged stilts are always present.
Getting there and useful addresses
- Bus Santa Pola – Guardamar – Torrevieja – Pilar de la Horadada: Avanza (Autocares Costa Azul), tel. 965 710 449. Santa Pola – Elche and Santa Pola – airport – university – San Vicente: Vectalia. Santa Pola bus station: 966 696 011.
- Tourist offices: Tourist Info Santa Pola Centro — Plaza del Castillo Fortaleza, s/n, tel. 966 696 052; Tourist Info — Plaza Silvia Martínez, 6, tel. 966 692 276; touristinfo@santapola.es.
- Town hall: Plaza Constitución, 1, tel. 965 411 100. Gran Alacant municipal information office: Av. Escandinavia, 31, tel. 966 697 749. Gran Alacant International Library: Av. Escandinavia, 35, tel. 966 697 110. SUMA in Santa Pola: C/ García Braceli, 4.