Villa Tranquilo - Places to Visit on the Costa Blanca near Albatera

Our aim Is to help you to completely relax and enjoy the tropical climate here in the real Spain
Here are a few places to visit during your stay with us (tranquility ratings are our opinion only).
(the times in brackets are approximate travelling times by car but if you don't want to drive ask about day trips)

The beach at Guardamar
The Beaches
(25 minutes)

If you just want to relax on quiet sandy BLUE FLAG beaches they are only a short drive away. The shallow Mediterranean Sea (safe for bathing) laps the golden sands.

The beach at Pinet

Clean local beaches

Tranquil ratings ****

The beach at Pinet

Santa Pola
(30 minutes)

The small commercial fishing port of Santa Pola is about 25 minutes away together with its lovely broad sandy beaches.

If you are there at the right time the kiosks will be open where you can buy fresh fish that has been landed that day.

Also, if you are there early enough you can park right next to the beach (no parking charges here) and have a wonderful day.

Santa Pola harbour

Fishing boats at Santa Pola

Just some of the attractions available in Santa Pola:

Museum of the sea
In the southern wing of the Castle you will find the Museum of the Sea (Museo del Mar) with modern facilities. In the archeology and ethnography sections there are differing displays which take you on a ride through the history of Santa Pola. The sea is the central theme around which the exhibition is built.

Archeological Museum
Find out something about the culture of the ancient Iberian population of the town as well as the development of the Portus Illicitanus of Roman times.

The Aquarium
The prime objective of the aquarium is to make visitors aware of the mediterranean environment and the various species, both flora and fauna, which live in it. The aquarium provides an important tool for teaching and informing by allowing the observation of these ecosystems by broad sectors of the public for whom such habitats normally would be inaccessible. Some research work is also carried out.

The new municipal aquarium replaces the older one, which was to be found in one of the rooms within the walls of the Castle. The new location is much better situated and allows the exposure of certain activities to the public which, previously, it was impossible to do. The equipment and facilities have also been improved.

The total area of the facility is 707 square metres and consists of a central hall in which are installed 9 large aquarium tanks, situated round the perimeter, except for one located in the centre. They contain a total volume of 200 cubic metres of sea water, where visitors may observe many representative samples of the fauna and flora of our coastline. There is an Audio-visual room which can hold 40 people, which is used for displaying videos and holding talks and lectures. Finally, there is a small shop where visitors may buy various items (guides, posters, videos, books ...).

The design of the grand central Hall (decoration, illumination etc.) and its arrangement allows the visitor, besides being able to wander freely, to feel himself immersed in a submarine environment and observe about one hundred different species which have been acclimatised to the Municipal Aquarium of Santa Pola. Amongst them we can pick out the "musolas" (sharks which are very common around our coasts), "meros" (groupers), "congrios" (conger eels), "doradas", "sargos" (sea bream), "seriolas" , "peces-ballesta" (crossbow fish), etc. And we mustn't forget the amusing turtles and a great variety of marine invertebrates.

Santa Pola Salt Lakes
Travelling South out of Santa Pola on the N332 you will drive through the salt lakes which are preceded by the "salt mountains". The lakes are spectacular especially if it is when the Pink Flamingoes are around.

Pink Flamingoes at Santa Pola salt Lakes

Pink Flamingoes at the Salt Lakes at Santa Pola

Tranquil rating ***

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Tabarca Island:
A short 30 minute boat ride from Santa Pola will take you to the island of Tabarca which has been designated a Marine Nature Reserve and is an excellent place for snorkelling.

Tabarca Island

In season you can catch one of the glass bottomed boats which leave every half hour and cost around €13 (summer 2007). It's well worth going down on to the observation deck as the sea life is plentiful and varied, due to Tabarca being a protected Nature and Marine Reserve since the 1980s. The ride is pleasant as the sea in this part of the Costa Blanca coast is almost always calm.

Out of season there are 2 small "taxi boats" (1 yellow & 1 grey) with 2 friendly drivers". The one on the grey boat (15Euros for the roundtrip - winter 208) does speak some English and they will take you over to the island. Just tell them what time you want collecting and they will be there.


Approaching Tabarca		Saint Josephs Tower

Stress free
Once you have arrived you can take a walk around the tiny island; just under 2 kilometres by 400 metres. On the way round you will see a Fortress, a Church, a few Fishermen's houses, a couple of Restaurants and La Trancada Hotel, where the speciality is seafood. There are no cars and no stress.

Snorkelling
After lunch you will probably stumble upon one of the many secluded beaches, and go for a snorkel in the transparent Mediterranean waters or simply relax with a glass of Sangria and a good book.

Pirates
In the past, Tabarca was occupied by Pirates and during the 18th Century colonised by Genoese Prisoners. Italian surnames are still to be found in the churchyard as proof of this.

Advice
We suggest you take plenty of soft drinks and water and we also suggest a packed lunch. If you decide to buy anything take note of the advertised price and double check the price by asking before purchasing anything.
This is a fantastic island with great snorkelling. Don't forget the sunshade and suncream as there is little natural shade from the sun where the snorkelling is at it's best!
Tranquil rating ***** (out of season)

Archena - Spa Baths: (30 Minutes)
Archena is the oldest Spa in Spain, dating back to the Roman times. The Romans discovered the curing properties of these waters, and built a Spa for the soldiers. In the Middle Ages, the baths belonged to the Knights of Santiago and later on to the holy order of Saint John who used the mineral waters to cure certain types of wounds.

The natural waters found at the spa have minerals in them which are believed to relief and "cure" certain health and skin problems. No matter why you visit the spa; the area and the settings alone are worth the visit.

		Even if you don't go in to the spa it is quite pleasant to have a snack and it is possible to eat outside the "Casino" building for a very reasonable price.
The Casino Building

Once you reach the town of Archena (worth a visit in itself) just follow the brown signs to Balneario de Archena which will take you just a couple of kilometres outside of the town.
Tranquil rating ***(some excavation happening at the moment so could be quieter!)

More places to visit here
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