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Area Attractions
Santa Pola
Santa Pola is known for its good seafood restaurants, beautiful beaches and Spanish culture. A trip to the commercial fish-market is a must in order to see the “catch of the day” from all of the local fishing boats. Restaurants and food markets from around the area come to this evening market to bid and buy fresh seafood in an electronic auction process. After the daily fish market auction, there is time to stroll along the beautiful beachfront promenade and observe the EU certified “Blue Flag” beaches before heading to one of the local restaurants to dine on the local seafood.
Whatever your interests, you will find that this small coastal town has maintained its Spanish roots as it is a popular summer holiday destination of many Spaniards from around the country. Adapting to the relaxed lifestyle, you can begin your morning with a coffee at one of the many street-side cafes, followed by a stroll up and down the many shopping streets. Be sure and stop at one of the Bodegas to buy a bottle (or barrel!) of one of the many popular Spanish red wines. Plan for a late lunch around two o’clock so that you can relax and enjoy the afternoon siesta time when all businesses and shops close. Alternatively, the local Museum of the Sea (Museo del Mar) located in the Castle Fortress presents a monographic history of Santa Pola or the local aquarium offers a variety of seawater life. In addition to the daily seafood market (for the public), Santa Pola hosts its street markets on Mondays and Saturdays. For those that are looking for a more active life style, all types of water sport activities including diving, kite/wind surfing, paragliding, etc. are avaliable in the area.
For those with a longer-term stay and wishing to learn a bit of Spanish, Spanish language instruction is offered in the town-centre only a short walk from the apartment. It is often an advantage to try and speak a little Spanish as the locals can be more receptive to those who try to communicate with them in their own language.
For an island excursion, daily boats leave from Santa Pola harbour to the Island of Tabarca. Declared a Natural Marine Reserve, the surrounding waters are teeming with spectacular marine life. On one half of the island, you will find an 18th century fortified settlement, and on the other half of the island, you will find the lighthouse and the solar station that generates the island’s electricity. The beaches here are also much quieter and tranquil than on the mainland. After enjoying a walking tour around the island, some relaxing time on the beach, you should also enjoy a meal at one of the island's restaurants before returning to Santa Pola.
Alicante
Alicante is larger city with many faces. It is the capital city of Spain’s 4th largest province (Alicante) and is home to the University of Alicante. Only a 15 minute drive from Santa Pola (approximately €20 taxi ride or €1 bus ride), you can take a stroll along the long beach promenade, sunbathe at the beaches, shop in the center’s shopping district, wander through the Old Quarter (El Barrio), visit the Castle (Castillo de Santa Barbara), or eat outside at one of the many restaurants on the yachting marina’s pier (El Puerto). There is much to do in Alicante and well worth a visit. Alicante is also an exciting city that also offers a nightlife in the same class as Benidorm.
The Alicante Town Hall Website contains useful information about history, sports, culture, festivals, etc..
www.alicante-ayto.es
The Alicante Tourism Board is also an informative website for those planning on spending time in the area.
www.alicanteturismo.com
Surrounding Area
The surrounding towns of Benidorm, Torrevieja, Altea, Elche and Murcia and are all well-worth a visit. Each has its own character with historic sights, great restaurants, local shopping, beautiful golf courses and many other attractions for those looking for a more active holiday. The Official Tourism Website of the Region of Valencia is a wealth of information on the area history, culture, activities, festivals, etc. It also includes links to Webcams in the area. Just go to the map and select Santa Pola to see the webcams that are situated in the vicinity of the apartment!
www.comunitat-valenciana.com
Some of the more popular attractions:
The Santa Pola Salt Flats (Parque Natural de las Salinas de Santa Pola) are an interesting sight to see due to the large-scale salt production, and their signature bird, The Flamingo, that has taken up residence in the area with a total population that can reach 8,000 specimens.
www.insula.org/saltroute/html/body_santa_pola.html
Aqualandia in Benidorm is the area’s popular water park with plenty of activities and rides for those that just want to relax in the sun at the pool or for those more adventurous “thrill seekers”.
www.aqualandia.net
Mundomar Benidorm is the area’s popular marine and exotic animal park. You can see all sorts of animal life flamingos, turtles, sea lions, seals, parrots, and penguins. You can also explore the Dolphin Aquarium, Bat Cave and Aviary.
www.mundomar.es
Terra Mítica in Benidorm, is the area’s popular amusement park in the area with rides, attractions and shows for all ages. You can live the mysteries of the most ancient and legendary civilisations in the Mediterranean by visiting the five areas which make up the park: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia and The Islands.
www.terramiticapark.com
There are many possibilities for driving Go-Karts while in the area. Motor sports are generally very popular in Spain as you will find different types of motor sports throughout the country. A popular track is San Fulgencio in the area of La Marina (directly south of Santa Pola). There are different categories of Karts which race at different times. The entrance is just off the N-332 near La Marina playas as you approach La Marina from Santa Pola. The picture below is from another Go-Kart track located in Finestrat which is south of the Carrefour shopping center in Torrevieja.
Aquopolis Torrevieja is another popular water park in the area. It is located in Torrevieja and is only open during the summer season.
www.aquopolis.es
Excitement Touristic Balloon Flights offers a 40 minute hot-air balloon flight in the areas of Bajo Vinalopo and Bajo Seguar. Excitement in the Air is located in Elche and you must allow three hours for the total experience. Reservation can be made by calling +34 966 637 401.
For nightlife, the old town (El Barrio) and the marina area (El Puerto) in Alicante is well worth a visit. There are also many great places in Benidorm such as Benidorm Palace which is a popular variety, dinner show.
www.benidorm-palace.com
The Costa Blanca area hosts many of Spain’s top golf courses. e-golfplayer.com is an excellent website where you can get information on the area golf courses including layout, directions, facilities, scorecard and prices.
www.e-golfplayer.com
Santa Pola
Santa Pola is known for its good seafood restaurants, beautiful beaches and Spanish culture. A trip to the commercial fish-market is a must in order to see the “catch of the day” from all of the local fishing boats. Restaurants and food markets from around the area come to this evening market to bid and buy fresh seafood in an electronic auction process. After the daily fish market auction, there is time to stroll along the beautiful beachfront promenade and observe the EU certified “Blue Flag” beaches before heading to one of the local restaurants to dine on the local seafood.
Whatever your interests, you will find that this small coastal town has maintained its Spanish roots as it is a popular summer holiday destination of many Spaniards from around the country. Adapting to the relaxed lifestyle, you can begin your morning with a coffee at one of the many street-side cafes, followed by a stroll up and down the many shopping streets. Be sure and stop at one of the Bodegas to buy a bottle (or barrel!) of one of the many popular Spanish red wines. Plan for a late lunch around two o’clock so that you can relax and enjoy the afternoon siesta time when all businesses and shops close. Alternatively, the local Museum of the Sea (Museo del Mar) located in the Castle Fortress presents a monographic history of Santa Pola or the local aquarium offers a variety of seawater life. In addition to the daily seafood market (for the public), Santa Pola hosts its street markets on Mondays and Saturdays. For those that are looking for a more active life style, all types of water sport activities including diving, kite/wind surfing, paragliding, etc. are avaliable in the area.
For those with a longer-term stay and wishing to learn a bit of Spanish, Spanish language instruction is offered in the town-centre only a short walk from the apartment. It is often an advantage to try and speak a little Spanish as the locals can be more receptive to those who try to communicate with them in their own language.
For an island excursion, daily boats leave from Santa Pola harbour to the Island of Tabarca. Declared a Natural Marine Reserve, the surrounding waters are teeming with spectacular marine life. On one half of the island, you will find an 18th century fortified settlement, and on the other half of the island, you will find the lighthouse and the solar station that generates the island’s electricity. The beaches here are also much quieter and tranquil than on the mainland. After enjoying a walking tour around the island, some relaxing time on the beach, you should also enjoy a meal at one of the island's restaurants before returning to Santa Pola.
Alicante
Alicante is larger city with many faces. It is the capital city of Spain’s 4th largest province (Alicante) and is home to the University of Alicante. Only a 15 minute drive from Santa Pola (approximately €20 taxi ride or €1 bus ride), you can take a stroll along the long beach promenade, sunbathe at the beaches, shop in the center’s shopping district, wander through the Old Quarter (El Barrio), visit the Castle (Castillo de Santa Barbara), or eat outside at one of the many restaurants on the yachting marina’s pier (El Puerto). There is much to do in Alicante and well worth a visit. Alicante is also an exciting city that also offers a nightlife in the same class as Benidorm.
The Alicante Town Hall Website contains useful information about history, sports, culture, festivals, etc..
www.alicante-ayto.es
The Alicante Tourism Board is also an informative website for those planning on spending time in the area.
www.alicanteturismo.com
Surrounding Area
The surrounding towns of Benidorm, Torrevieja, Altea, Elche and Murcia and are all well-worth a visit. Each has its own character with historic sights, great restaurants, local shopping, beautiful golf courses and many other attractions for those looking for a more active holiday. The Official Tourism Website of the Region of Valencia is a wealth of information on the area history, culture, activities, festivals, etc. It also includes links to Webcams in the area. Just go to the map and select Santa Pola to see the webcams that are situated in the vicinity of the apartment!
www.comunitat-valenciana.com
Some of the more popular attractions:
The Santa Pola Salt Flats (Parque Natural de las Salinas de Santa Pola) are an interesting sight to see due to the large-scale salt production, and their signature bird, The Flamingo, that has taken up residence in the area with a total population that can reach 8,000 specimens.
www.insula.org/saltroute/html/body_santa_pola.html
Aqualandia in Benidorm is the area’s popular water park with plenty of activities and rides for those that just want to relax in the sun at the pool or for those more adventurous “thrill seekers”.
www.aqualandia.net
Mundomar Benidorm is the area’s popular marine and exotic animal park. You can see all sorts of animal life flamingos, turtles, sea lions, seals, parrots, and penguins. You can also explore the Dolphin Aquarium, Bat Cave and Aviary.
www.mundomar.es
Terra Mítica in Benidorm, is the area’s popular amusement park in the area with rides, attractions and shows for all ages. You can live the mysteries of the most ancient and legendary civilisations in the Mediterranean by visiting the five areas which make up the park: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia and The Islands.
www.terramiticapark.com
There are many possibilities for driving Go-Karts while in the area. Motor sports are generally very popular in Spain as you will find different types of motor sports throughout the country. A popular track is San Fulgencio in the area of La Marina (directly south of Santa Pola). There are different categories of Karts which race at different times. The entrance is just off the N-332 near La Marina playas as you approach La Marina from Santa Pola. The picture below is from another Go-Kart track located in Finestrat which is south of the Carrefour shopping center in Torrevieja.
Aquopolis Torrevieja is another popular water park in the area. It is located in Torrevieja and is only open during the summer season.
www.aquopolis.es
Excitement Touristic Balloon Flights offers a 40 minute hot-air balloon flight in the areas of Bajo Vinalopo and Bajo Seguar. Excitement in the Air is located in Elche and you must allow three hours for the total experience. Reservation can be made by calling +34 966 637 401.
For nightlife, the old town (El Barrio) and the marina area (El Puerto) in Alicante is well worth a visit. There are also many great places in Benidorm such as Benidorm Palace which is a popular variety, dinner show.
www.benidorm-palace.com
The Costa Blanca area hosts many of Spain’s top golf courses. e-golfplayer.com is an excellent website where you can get information on the area golf courses including layout, directions, facilities, scorecard and prices.
www.e-golfplayer.com