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El Campo – Tabarca
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ROUTE:

2.8 km

DURATION:

2 hours

DIFFICULTY:

Easy

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.

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Trail PDF
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Trail Stops

1. La Purissimeta

2. La Galera Islet and rocks

3. Torre de San Jose

4. Farmhouse

5. Lighthouse

6. Punta Falcon and La Nao Islet

7. Northern Profile, La Peladilla and Los Secos

8. La Mina

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

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Highlights

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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. La Purissimeta

0 meters

The route begins at the beach, ascending towards “El Campo” along a trail that skirts the southern edge of Isla Plana, leading to Cala Menaca, where visitors can admire a stunning rocky coastal landscape.

2. La Galera Islet and rocks

150 meters

From this vantage point, looking south, you can see the islet of La Galera, an important site for birdwatching, as well as the rocky outcrops on either side, known as Escull Roig and Escull Negre. Volcanic rock formations of significant geological interest are also visible on the cliffs.

3. Torre de San Jose

70 meters

At nearly the center of Isla Plana stands a magnificent defensive military tower with a square base and a truncated pyramidal shape, built around 1791 by engineer Francisco Gilve Federichi.

4. Farmhouse

75 meters

Popularly known as “El Cortijo”, it is a silent witness to the sacrificial agricultural and livestock tasks once carried out in El Campo, despite the harsh conditions and lack of fertile soil.

5. Lighthouse

40 meters

This is the first lighthouse built in the Levantine area during the period of promotion of this type of construction around the mid-19th century. Essential to avoid the feared shipwrecks around the island, this lighthouse dates back to 1854, built according to the plans of Agustin Elcoro Berocibar.

6. Punta Falcon and La Nao Islet

100 meters

From the eastern end of Isla Plana, you can observe islets and reefs, mainly La Nao and the cliffs, apart from Naueta and Merdoseta. This area hosts a flora micro-reserve that, like other formations, is highly valuable for birdwatching.

7. Northern Profile, La Peladilla and Los Secos

100 meters

On the northern coast, facing Cabo de Santa Pola with the Bay of Alicante in the distance, you can spot numerous small rocky outcrops and significant geological formations in its coves and small cliffs.

8. La Mina

A tiny beach lies behind the current Tabarca harbor, featuring a notable rocky outcrop known as Roca de la Mina. In centuries past, this site was occasionally used to store contraband goods. This marks the end of the route.

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.

8. La Mina

A tiny beach lies behind the current Tabarca harbor, featuring a notable rocky outcrop known as Roca de la Mina. In centuries past, this site was occasionally used to store contraband goods. This marks the end of the route.

7. Northern Profile, La Peladilla and Los Secos

100 meters

On the northern coast, facing Cabo de Santa Pola with the Bay of Alicante in the distance, you can spot numerous small rocky outcrops and significant geological formations in its coves and small cliffs.

6. Punta Falcon and La Nao Islet

100 meters

From the eastern end of Isla Plana, you can observe islets and reefs, mainly La Nao and the cliffs, apart from Naueta and Merdoseta. This area hosts a flora micro-reserve that, like other formations, is highly valuable for birdwatching.

5. Lighthouse

40 meters

This is the first lighthouse built in the Levantine area during the period of promotion of this type of construction around the mid-19th century. Essential to avoid the feared shipwrecks around the island, this lighthouse dates back to 1854, built according to the plans of Agustin Elcoro Berocibar.

4. Farmhouse

75 meters

Popularly known as “El Cortijo”, it is a silent witness to the sacrificial agricultural and livestock tasks once carried out in El Campo, despite the harsh conditions and lack of fertile soil.

3. Torre de San Jose

70 meters

At nearly the center of Isla Plana stands a magnificent defensive military tower with a square base and a truncated pyramidal shape, built around 1791 by engineer Francisco Gilve Federichi.

2. La Galera Islet and rocks

150 meters

From this vantage point, looking south, you can see the islet of La Galera, an important site for birdwatching, as well as the rocky outcrops on either side, known as Escull Roig and Escull Negre. Volcanic rock formations of significant geological interest are also visible on the cliffs.

1. La Purissimeta

0 meters

The route begins at the beach, ascending towards “El Campo” along a trail that skirts the southern edge of Isla Plana, leading to Cala Menaca, where visitors can admire a stunning rocky coastal landscape.

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