X-twitter Facebook Instagram Linkedin Youtube
Monumental Trail through Nueva Tabarca
Tourist guides
Maps, brochures, and apps
Public transport
Tourist offices

ROUTE:

1.57 km

DURATION:

2 hours

DIFFICULTY:

Easy

Nueva Tabarca, cultural and natural heritage

Commonly referred to as Tabarca Island, this location is a small archipelago consisting of four islets and rocks. It is situated off the coast of Cabo de Santa Pola, just three nautical miles from the nearest mainland coast and more than ten from the bay of the city of Alicante, a city to which it has administratively belonged since the end of the 18th century.

The main island, known as Isla Plana, is the largest in area with about 30 ha of land. Next to this island, where the historic population is housed, there are other islets such as La Cantera, to the West, La Galera, to the South, and La Nao, to the East, and rocks, most of them off the southern profile of Isla Plana, such as Naveta, Sabata, Cap del Moro, Escull Negre or Escull Roig.

Learn more
Trail PDF
Download PDF Trail

Trail Stops

1. Current port

2. New Tabarca Museum

3. Port cove

4. San Rafael Gate

5. Carloforte Square and fishermen's guild

6. San Miguel Gate and old pier

7. Church of San Pedro and San Pablo

8. Princess Bastion, north wall promenade

9. San Gabriel Gate

10. The Quarry

11. Main Square

12. Governor's House

13. Dels Birros Cove and Cave

14. Guardia Cove and Llop Mari Cave

15. Large Tenaza of the Count of Aranda and Baix del Forn Point

16. End of the trail. Tabarca Beach

Other trails

TRADITIONAL DOWNTOWN OF ALICANTE

LA ERETA PARK

EL CAMPO - TABARCA

WALLED CITADEL – TABARCA

TRAILS IN BENACANTIL

SIERRA DE SAN JULIAN - SERRA GROSSA

CABO DE LA HUERTA

TORRES DE LA HUERTA

LA MARJAL FLOODABLE PARK

EL TOSSAL TRAIL

Monte Orgegia

All Routes in Alicante

Download Route Brochure

Route A

Maritime facade of Alicante

Route B

Santa Barbara Castle

Route C

Old Town of Alicante

Route D

The Traditional Downtown of Alicante

Route E

Alicante Air Raid Shelters

Services that might interest you

Events calendar

All events
No event found!

Highlights

alicante-convention-bureau-logo 1
alicante-film-office-logo 1
alicante-sports-destination-logo 1
aytoalicante logo

Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Accessibility Statement

© 2024 Alicante Municipal Tourism and Beaches Board – Alicante City Council

X-twitter Facebook Instagram Linkedin Youtube

All this large number of small geographical features in the waters surrounding Nueva Tabarca makes that since ancient times it was considered very dangerous navigation in the surrounding area, and hence the ancient Greek name of “Planesia” (deceiver). Later, in Roman times, the island was renamed “Planaria”, referring to its flat surface. This is how the name “Isla Plana” has been the most used throughout history, until “Nueva Tabarca” became its official name in the last quarter of the 18th century. The specific date was 1770, which was the moment when a human contingent of about 300 people of Genoese origin arrived on the Island for its definitive colonization, ex-captives in Algerian territory, who were rescued by the Spanish crown in the time of Carlos III, and who inhabited years before the small Tunisian island of Tabarka, and hence the name given to the Alicante Island in memory of that one.

This was an ambitious project to construct a walled citadel, driven by the Count of Aranda and part of a series of new settlement initiatives inspired by the reformist Enlightenment spirit of late 18th-century Spain. However, several critical factors were underestimated and insufficiently considered, which profoundly influenced the immediate fate of its inhabitants: the natural environment, the scarcity of fresh water, and its unique physical and geographical characteristics.

Despite all these challenges, Nueva Tabarca today stands as a model of natural and cultural heritage. It was declared a Site of Cultural Interest as a Historic Ensemble in 1964 and a Marine Reserve of fishing interest in 1986—the first of its kind in Spain—primarily due to the excellent condition of its Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, an endemic Mediterranean marine plant.

1. Current port

0 meters

Current small pier of Nueva Tabarca (1945).

2. New Tabarca Museum

150 meters

Opened in 2004 in the old warehouse of the Tabarca almadraba (tuna trap), this site features two rooms: the Audiovisual Room and the Exhibition Room. Both provide comprehensive information on the multidisciplinary heritage of Nueva Tabarca.

3. Port cove

70 meters

Also known as “La Caleta”, where a small pier is located.

4. San Rafael Gate

75 meters

Also known as Puerta de Levante, this is the current main entrance to the walled citadel, which was historically accessed by crossing the moat. Flanked by the bastions of San Pedro and San Pablo, it is a Doric-style gateway, articulated with pilasters.

5. Carloforte Square and fishermen's guild

40 meters

Plaza Carloforte, one of three squares designed within the urban structure of the citadel, takes its name from Carloforte, the capital of the small Sardinian island of San Pietro, which has been twinned with Nueva Tabarca since 1975. This square is home to the Tabarca Fishermen’s Guild.

6. San Miguel Gate and old pier

100 meters

Also called Puerta Norte, Puerta de Tierra, or Puerta de Alicante, this was the main entrance to the citadel in the 18th century, leading from the small dock now known as the “old port,” located in a small cove. It is flanked by the Prince’s Bastion.

7. Church of San Pedro and San Pablo

100 meters

Blessed in 1775, the church is one of the most emblematic buildings of the citadel. With a rectangular floor plan and an East-West orientation, it serves as a key component of the urban structure. The church features a single nave, with a Baroque-inspired portico and windows characterized by curves and undulating surfaces.

8. Princess Bastion, north wall promenade

150 meters

One of the best preserved bastions of the development of Nueva Tabarca walls. It runs above some large rooms in the subsoil, designed and used in the past as artillery warehouses.

9. San Gabriel Gate

90 meters

Also known as Puerta de Poniente or Trancada, this is the third of the city gates, leading to the islet called La Cantera. The name references the site’s 18th-century use as a quarry for stone used in the construction of Isla Plana. Flanked by two Tuscan pilasters, the gate bears the commemorative inscription, “CAROLVS III HISPANIARUM REX FECIT EDIFICAVIT” (Built by Carlos III, King of Spain).

10. The Quarry

100 meters

Even without a physical visit to the islet (it is not advisable as it is a sensitive area for bird breeding), it can be perfectly contemplated from Puerta de San Gabriel itself. It is one of the main islets of the tiny Tabarca archipelago.

11. Main Square

260 meters

Also known as Plaza Grande, occupies the central geographical location of the urban area and serves as the structural axis of the late 18th-century walled city project. The four corners of the square are home to old cistern wells.

12. Governor's House

70 meters

Now restored as a hotel, this is one of Nueva Tabarca’s most significant buildings. The former headquarters of the local government and lodging for authorities, it is a rectangular structure with three sections and stone arcades that lend it an open and airy appearance.

13. Dels Birros Cove and Cave

90 meters

One of the two large coves located in the inhabited area of Isla Plana on its southern profile, and one of the most important landscape landmarks of the island, combining natural beauty with the monumentality of the wall constructions.

14. Guardia Cove and Llop Mari Cave

50 meters

One of the most important landscape landmarks of the island, combining natural and constructive beauty. Its crystal-clear waters provided refuge centuries ago for ships seeking shelter from the winds. It is also home to the well-known Cova del Llop Mari, a geo-morphological formation of great interest, and one of the last refuges of the monk seal (Monachus monachus) in these Mediterranean waters.

15. Large Tenaza of the Count of Aranda and Baix del Forn Point

130 meters

Although very deteriorated, this promontory forms an important part of the defense of the walls of the citadel of San Pablo on the Island of Nueva Tabarca, known as the tenaza (wall angle) of the Count of Aranda, dedicated to this politician, ideologue of the Tabarquino construction project. The view of this place from the beach gives an idea of the solid construction of the walls made more than two centuries ago.

16. End of the trail. Tabarca Beach

100 meters

We reach the end of the tour… At the narrow isthmus in the central part of Isla Plana, between the inhabited area and the countryside. Facing south, this is the location of the small Tabarca beach, a popular gathering spot for thousands of visitors during the summer season.

All this large number of small geographical features in the waters surrounding Nueva Tabarca makes that since ancient times it was considered very dangerous navigation in the surrounding area, and hence the ancient Greek name of “Planesia” (deceiver). Later, in Roman times, the island was renamed “Planaria”, referring to its flat surface. This is how the name “Isla Plana” has been the most used throughout history, until “Nueva Tabarca” became its official name in the last quarter of the 18th century. The specific date was 1770, which was the moment when a human contingent of about 300 people of Genoese origin arrived on the Island for its definitive colonization, ex-captives in Algerian territory, who were rescued by the Spanish crown in the time of Carlos III, and who inhabited years before the small Tunisian island of Tabarka, and hence the name given to the Alicante Island in memory of that one.

This was an ambitious project to construct a walled citadel, driven by the Count of Aranda and part of a series of new settlement initiatives inspired by the reformist Enlightenment spirit of late 18th-century Spain. However, several critical factors were underestimated and insufficiently considered, which profoundly influenced the immediate fate of its inhabitants: the natural environment, the scarcity of fresh water, and its unique physical and geographical characteristics.

Despite all these challenges, Nueva Tabarca today stands as a model of natural and cultural heritage. It was declared a Site of Cultural Interest as a Historic Ensemble in 1964 and a Marine Reserve of fishing interest in 1986—the first of its kind in Spain—primarily due to the excellent condition of its Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, an endemic Mediterranean marine plant.

16. End of the trail. Tabarca Beach

100 meters

We reach the end of the tour… At the narrow isthmus in the central part of Isla Plana, between the inhabited area and the countryside. Facing south, this is the location of the small Tabarca beach, a popular gathering spot for thousands of visitors during the summer season.

15. Large Tenaza of the Count of Aranda and Baix del Forn Point

130 meters

Although very deteriorated, this promontory forms an important part of the defense of the walls of the citadel of San Pablo on the Island of Nueva Tabarca, known as the tenaza (wall angle) of the Count of Aranda, dedicated to this politician, ideologue of the Tabarquino construction project. The view of this place from the beach gives an idea of the solid construction of the walls made more than two centuries ago.

14. Guardia Cove and Llop Mari Cave

50 meters

One of the most important landscape landmarks of the island, combining natural and constructive beauty. Its crystal-clear waters provided refuge centuries ago for ships seeking shelter from the winds. It is also home to the well-known Cova del Llop Mari, a geo-morphological formation of great interest, and one of the last refuges of the monk seal (Monachus monachus) in these Mediterranean waters.

13. Dels Birros Cove and Cave

90 meters

One of the two large coves located in the inhabited area of Isla Plana on its southern profile, and one of the most important landscape landmarks of the island, combining natural beauty with the monumentality of the wall constructions.

12. Governor's House

70 meters

Now restored as a hotel, this is one of Nueva Tabarca’s most significant buildings. The former headquarters of the local government and lodging for authorities, it is a rectangular structure with three sections and stone arcades that lend it an open and airy appearance.

11. Main Square

260 meters

Also known as Plaza Grande, occupies the central geographical location of the urban area and serves as the structural axis of the late 18th-century walled city project. The four corners of the square are home to old cistern wells.

10. The Quarry

100 meters

Even without a physical visit to the islet (it is not advisable as it is a sensitive area for bird breeding), it can be perfectly contemplated from Puerta de San Gabriel itself. It is one of the main islets of the tiny Tabarca archipelago.

9. San Gabriel Gate

90 meters

Also known as Puerta de Poniente or Trancada, this is the third of the city gates, leading to the islet called La Cantera. The name references the site’s 18th-century use as a quarry for stone used in the construction of Isla Plana. Flanked by two Tuscan pilasters, the gate bears the commemorative inscription, “CAROLVS III HISPANIARUM REX FECIT EDIFICAVIT” (Built by Carlos III, King of Spain).

8. Princess Bastion, north wall promenade

150 meters

One of the best preserved bastions of the development of Nueva Tabarca walls. It runs above some large rooms in the subsoil, designed and used in the past as artillery warehouses.

7. Church of San Pedro and San Pablo

100 meters

Blessed in 1775, the church is one of the most emblematic buildings of the citadel. With a rectangular floor plan and an East-West orientation, it serves as a key component of the urban structure. The church features a single nave, with a Baroque-inspired portico and windows characterized by curves and undulating surfaces.

6. San Miguel Gate and old pier

100 meters

Also called Puerta Norte, Puerta de Tierra, or Puerta de Alicante, this was the main entrance to the citadel in the 18th century, leading from the small dock now known as the “old port,” located in a small cove. It is flanked by the Prince’s Bastion.

5. Carloforte Square and fishermen's guild

40 meters

Plaza Carloforte, one of three squares designed within the urban structure of the citadel, takes its name from Carloforte, the capital of the small Sardinian island of San Pietro, which has been twinned with Nueva Tabarca since 1975. This square is home to the Tabarca Fishermen’s Guild.

4. San Rafael Gate

75 meters

Also known as Puerta de Levante, this is the current main entrance to the walled citadel, which was historically accessed by crossing the moat. Flanked by the bastions of San Pedro and San Pablo, it is a Doric-style gateway, articulated with pilasters.

3. Port cove

70 meters

Also known as “La Caleta”, where a small pier is located.

2. New Tabarca Museum

150 meters

Opened in 2004 in the old warehouse of the Tabarca almadraba (tuna trap), this site features two rooms: the Audiovisual Room and the Exhibition Room. Both provide comprehensive information on the multidisciplinary heritage of Nueva Tabarca.

1. Current port

0 meters

Current small pier of Nueva Tabarca (1945).

This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.