Santa Pola has shallow-water beaches, an aquarium, flamingos in the salt flats, boat trips to Tabarca and Pola Park. All just a few minutes apart.
And when you’re travelling with children, that makes a big difference. Less driving, less waiting and more time to enjoy yourselves.
But not every activity suits every situation. There are very hot days, rainy days and little ones who get tired sooner than expected…
In this article, we share 10 activities for children and families in Santa Pola. You’ll see which ones are free, what to do when it rains or the heat sets in, and a ready-made one-day itinerary so you don’t have to plan a thing.
| Activity | Price | Indoors or outdoors | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaches | Free | Outdoors | Morning |
| Harbour, town centre and fishing boat | Free | Outdoors and indoors | Late afternoon |
| Municipal aquarium | Free | Indoors | Hottest hours |
| Castle and Museo del Mar | Free | Indoors | Hottest hours |
| Pola Park | Paid admission | Outdoors | Afternoons and evenings |
| Salt flats and Salt Museum | Free | Outdoors and indoors | Early in the day |
| Lighthouse and viewpoint | Free | Outdoors | Sunset |
| Tabarca Island | Paid admission | Outdoors | Full day |
| Playgrounds and games | Free and paid options | Outdoors | Afternoon |
| Juega y Descubre trails | Free | Outdoors | Any time |
The best beaches in Santa Pola for children
Santa Pola has 13 beaches.
And several of them have shallow water, which is very welcome when you’re visiting with little ones.
Playa Lisa
Here, the water stays shallow for tens of metres. That makes it one of the calmest beaches for little ones to swim at.
It has a lifeguard, facilities and children’s play areas.
Playa de Levante
It’s next to the harbour, with palm trees and shallow water.
It also has three children’s play areas. A useful option for when they’ve had enough of the sand.
Gran Playa
It’s spacious and has showers and sun loungers.
If you’re planning to spend the whole day at the beach with children, you’ll be comfortable here.
Playa Varadero
It has Blue Flag status in 2026 and a children’s playground.
A walk around Santa Pola’s harbour and town centre
Santa Pola has a working fishing harbour, and it shows.
A walk past the boats and fish market is a simple outing, but children find it fascinating. And if it ends with a stop at an ice cream shop, even better.
From the harbour, you can continue towards the town centre. The pedestrian areas, small shops and ice cream shops make walking with children easy, without cars or rushing around.
The Esteban González fishing boat
It’s a real trawler that worked between 1985 and 2005.
Today, you can visit the interior, which shows what it was like to live and work on board a fishing boat.
Admission is free. However, it is not wheelchair accessible.
Before you go, check whether it’s open: it remains closed during September, October and November 2026 for restoration work on the hull.
Santa Pola Municipal Aquarium
It is the oldest aquarium in the Valencian Community.
It has 9 large tanks with species from the Mediterranean, Santa Pola Bay and Tabarca. It’s a different way for children to discover what lies beneath the water at the beaches where they swim.
Admission is free. It opens from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00, and on Sundays from 11:00 to 13:30. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
We recommend checking the opening hours on the official Museo del Mar website before you go. In October and November 2026, it is closed for work to improve its museum displays.
It’s a short visit, ideal for the hottest hours of the day.
The Castle-Fortress and Museo del Mar
This castle was built in the 16th century with a very clear aim: to protect sailors from pirate attacks.
Put it like that, and children’s faces light up.
Inside is the Museo del Mar, with rooms about fishing and the history of Santa Pola, as well as the chapel of the Virgen de Loreto.
Admission is free, and it has the same opening hours as the aquarium. There are guided tours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pola Park, the children’s amusement park in Santa Pola
Pola Park opened its doors in 1996.
It has 24 rides, live shows and places to eat within the park itself, so you can spend the whole day there as a family. You can see the full list of Pola Park attractions.
Depending on the time of year, it opens from midday or in the afternoon.
And with shows and places to eat inside, you can go from rides to a show and dinner without leaving the park.
The park opens at weekends and on public holidays, and every day in summer. As opening dates and times change with the season, it’s best to check the calendar and opening hours before you go.
Las Salinas Natural Park: flamingos and the Salt Museum
Seeing flamingos just a few minutes from the town centre is one of those outings children remember.
As well as flamingos, you can spot herons and storks from the trails and viewpoints. Access to the natural park is free.
There are two easy trails for families:
- El Pinet yellow trail: 3.8 km, with a wooden boardwalk and dunes
- Tamarit red trail: 3 km
Next to the visitor centre is the Salt Museum, housed in an old salt mill. It shows how salt used to be extracted from the salt flats. Admission is free.
It’s on Avenida de Zaragoza, the same avenue as Pola Park.
A practical tip: take binoculars and go early, especially in summer.
The lighthouse and viewpoint at Cabo de Santa Pola
From the walkway projecting over the cliff, you can see Tabarca, the whole bay and Alicante.
Along the way, you’ll come across bunkers and anti-aircraft batteries from the Spanish Civil War. These kinds of remains really spark children’s curiosity.
The lighthouse dates from 1858, and its interior is not open to visitors.
Bear in mind that the final stretch to the viewpoint is rocky. It is difficult with a pushchair and practically impossible with a wheelchair.
For a family outing, the easiest option is to do just the short stretch from the car park. The full route is around 13 km.
A boat trip to the island of Tabarca
Boats leave from Santa Pola harbour. The crossing takes around 25 minutes by catamaran and 15 by speedboat.
If you’re going with children, we think the catamaran with underwater viewing is worth it. They can see the seabed during the crossing, so the outing starts before you even reach the island.
Departure frequency changes with the season, so confirm the times at the ticket office.
For your day on Tabarca, don’t forget:
- A hat
- Water
- Sun cream
- Water shoes for the coves
- Snorkelling goggles
Playgrounds and outdoor games
Santa Pola has several public parks with children’s play areas. Two of the best known are El Palmeral, in Plaza Diputación, and Parque de las Nubes, on Avenida Canalejas.
There are also the play areas at Playa Lisa, Levante and Varadero.
On Calle Burgos, you’ll find the Parque Infantil de Tráfico, where children learn the rules of the road through play. Opening hours change with the time of year.
Mystery trails with Juega y Descubre
Juega y Descubre is a free activity with routes around Santa Pola where you solve riddles.
Along the way, you discover interesting facts about the town, as a family and at your own pace.
To take part, you need the Santa Pola Tourism app.
Where to eat in Santa Pola with children
Eating out with children isn’t always easy. But Santa Pola has options to suit every taste.
Seafront rice restaurants, pizzerias, burger restaurants and tapas bars. And many restaurants are ready to welcome families.
If you spend the afternoon at the park, you can also have lunch or dinner at the places to eat at Pola Park.
What to do in Santa Pola with kids when it rains or gets very hot
If it rains:
- Museo del Mar in the castle
- Salt Museum
- Aquarium
- Fishing boat
If it’s hot:
- The beach early in the day
- Museums and the aquarium during the middle of the day
- The amusement park or a walk around the harbour as evening falls
A one-day itinerary in Santa Pola with kids
If you only have one day, here’s a way to make the most of it without rushing:
| Time of day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | Beach or salt flats and Salt Museum |
| Midday | Castle or aquarium, followed by lunch |
| Afternoon | A rest and a walk around the harbour |
| Late afternoon and evening | Pola Park |
Finishing the day at the park is often the best ending for little ones. You can check Pola Park prices and tickets to plan ahead.
Santa Pola is a destination best enjoyed without trying to fit everything in.
Choose two or three activities a day, leave room to improvise and let the children set the pace.