Tabarca Island Day Trip, Valencia

Enjoy a day trip to the beautiful and unique Tabarca Island from Valencia. Set in Alicante Province, this is the largest island in the Valencia Community and Spain's smallest permanently inhabited island (with only about 50 residents). Though just a 25-minute ferry ride from the mainland, you'll feel like you're in the middle of the Mediterranean. Enjoy time to explore the historic village, swim in the crystal-clear waters, relax at the beach, and visit some of the sites, such as the island's churches, lighthouses, and museums.

Just off the coast of Alicante is a lesser-known island oasis, Tabarca Island. Though small and only inhabited by about 50 residents, you can enjoy an entire island day. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Valencia and transport you to Alicante Province (a 45-minute drive), where you'll catch a ferry from Santa Pola. The ferry takes just about 25 minutes and offers exceptional vistas of the Valencian coastline. Upon arrival, you'll enjoy a mix of guided tours and free time to explore and enjoy the island.

This tour is entirely adaptable to your group's interests, but there are some quintessential activities that you may want to include. Spend some time wandering through the island's Old Town, surrounded by a walled enclosure and rich cultural heritage. Your guide is happy to dive into Tabarca's unique history as you stroll through the streets and pop into shops. You might also want to save some free time for the beach. The water off Tabarca Island is entirely transparent and has an idyllic shade of turquoise—perfect for swimming. You can also snorkel, as the island's coast includes a marine reserve. 

Some of the historical sites on the island include its main church, Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo, the Tabarca Lighthouse, and the stone gate, Puerta de la Trancada (de San Gabriel). If you'd like to learn more about the island's history and view several archaeological pieces, you can visit the Nueva Tabarca Museum, which is free to enter. 

Before heading back to the ferry, you can't leave Tabarca without trying some of its traditional food. You'll find several eateries serving dishes like seafood paella and grilled fish. Your guide is happy to offer recommendations. In the afternoon, you'll return by ferry, arriving back in Santa Pola and transferring by car to your hotel in Valencia.