Tabarca: Coast and Heritage of an Island

If you’re looking for a hotel in Tabarca, the coastal and marine landscape, together with the architectural history of the fortified settlement of Nueva Tabarca, can shape the focus of your trip. The island’s dimensions, coastal features and historic buildings offer concrete points of reference.

Island Scale and Coastal Features

In addition to the main island, the Illa de Tabarca archipelago includes the islets of La Cantera, La Galera and La Nao. The main island is about 1,800 metres long and up to 400 metres wide. These approximate measurements give an idea of its size without glossing over the different features of the coast and settlement.

The coast consists of small, low cliffs with pebble beaches at their base. Tabarca’s only sandy beach is on the isthmus. This makes it easy to distinguish the coastal features: pebble beaches at the foot of the low cliffs and a single sandy beach on the isthmus.

Sea and Nature

The seabeds in the marine reserve range from 0 to 40 metres deep. They are home to well-preserved Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows. The Tabarquino archipelago is also designated a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA). These designations describe different aspects of the archipelago’s protection.

Tabarca also offers different options when choosing an activity. One route goes around the island and offers views of the coastal landscape. You can snorkel in the clear waters; conditions for this activity may vary. A coastal-view route and snorkelling are two distinct options to consider.

Nueva Tabarca: Fortifications and Architectural History

The walled, newly built citadel of Nueva Tabarca was designed and constructed in the last third of the 18th century, during the reign of Charles III. The fortified settlement has three entrance gates. Together, the citadel and its gates offer concrete insights into the settlement’s built form.

The Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo has a rectangular floor plan and a single-nave layout. The floor plan describes the shape of the building, while “single-nave” refers to the layout of the church interior. The Casa del Gobernador has a different layout: it consists of a two-storey main building and two attached wings, each also two storeys high.

A building’s former use is also part of its architectural history: the former Almadraba warehouse was renovated, and the Nueva Tabarca Museum opened there in May 2004.

Fiestas and Boat Connections

The fiestas in honour of San Pedro on Tabarca coincide with the patron saint’s feast day on 29 June and last no more than four days. The fiestas in honour of the Virgen del Carmen coincide with the patron saint’s feast day on 16 July and last no more than three days. If you’d like to plan your trip around either celebration, check the programme for the year in question.

Tabarca is accessible by boat from Alicante, Santa Pola or Benidorm. Sailings run more or less regularly depending on the season, so check the timetable for your preferred travel date before your trip. The boat journey from the port of Alicante to Tabarca takes about one hour. The actual duration may vary depending on sea conditions and the operator.

When looking for a hotel in Tabarca, you can weigh nature, coastal scenery and the history of Nueva Tabarca as different focuses for your trip. If you’re planning around a festival date or boat connection, the programme and departure times are additional practical points of reference.

Discover more destinations: Biar, Algorfa, Teulada, Benigembla, Banyeres De Mariola, Orito, Monóvar, El Campello

For the broader travel overview: Alicante.