Santa Pola
Santa Pola quickly takes you back to Roman times. It was here where the Portus Illicitanus, the Roman ruins, were found. The Roman House of the Palmeral which was built during the Low Imperial and the Roman factory for pickling and salting fish from the 4th century B. C. are also clear signs of this era.
It was a most prosperous fishing village on the Costa Blanca, but today all of this has been overtaken by tourism.
The town is on the southernmost stretch of the province of Alicante, lying on a calm bay. The mild climate and the hospitality of the people make this major fishing port well worth a visit.
The tourist office is in Carr. Elche, next to the Parque El Palmeral. Here you will find the most helpful, multi-lingual tourist guide in Spain. His passion for the town will enable you to see and know everything.
Whilst in this area, explore the park behind the tourist office. There is a wonderful Roman mosaic on display, as it was discovered, see above. The park is a cool place to rest under the tall palms.
In the same area you will see the remains of the Portus Illicitanus, a Roman villa and the Roman fish factory. pictured left.
In the centre of the town stands one of the most impressive castles and fortresses in the area, see below. It dates from the 16th century and is still used today. It now houses an impressive museum as well as a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Loreto. Entry to the castle is free but there is a small charge for the museum. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Opposite the entrance to the castle is the Plaza de la Glorieta, a 20th century construction that offers shade and somewhere to eat and drink. At night the palza comes alive as all the locals meet to chat.
The town also offers a marine museum, located close to the police station and the beaches, several towers and viewpoints and a boat ride to the nearby island of Tabarca, costing around 10€.
The resort has 6 beaches, all with golden sand and a fully operational fishing port and sports marina. All types of water sports can be found here and because of the fishing industry, fresh fish can be found all over the town's restaurants. Daily markets have fresh fish, straight off the boats. The Saturday market, near the park is a bargain hunters paradise.
If you tire of the beaches then take an outing to the nearby natural park of Las Salinas and discover the beauty of the salt flats where you may be lucky enough to see the resident Flamingos.
Ruin in the salt lakeSports and recreation
The well organised marina offers all manner of water based sports including sailing, fishing and regattas. The Santa Pola Nautical Club is one of the finest sites on the coast. It has a rowing, sailing and canoeing school. Diving is also popular in the clear waters. Because of the heights of the Santa Pola Cape, you can also enjoy paragliding and hang gliding.
Cuisine
Santa Pola offers a wide range of delicious foods, mainly derived from the sea. its salazones are dried fish and are tasty appetisers, as are the fresh gambas or shrimps. A local fish stew, caldero santapoler is something you have to try. Arroz negro, rice with squid ink and Arroz a la marinera or sailor's rice are both local favourites. Some of the popular local catches are Anglerfish and Cuttlefish as well as fresh octopus. Local bakeries churn out ample sweets and cakes.
Fiestas
Throughout the year Santa Pola has a number of important festivities in which locals and visitors participate. The year starts with a colourful and noisy fiesta. In March and April come the pageants of the Moors and Christians. In June there is a Romeria or pilgrimage to the hermitage on the cape and just before mid-summer, on July 16th the local sailors pay tribute to their patron saint, La Virgen del Carmen. The highlight of the year has to be between 1st and 8th September in honour of La Virgen de Loreto with street processions, parades and giant parties. The year finishes its fiesta cycle on December 10th with the arrival of the Mother of God, by sea.