Tabarca Island

Tabarca is a flat, sun-baked island about twenty kilometres off the coast near Alicante that feels like a different century. In 1760 King Charles III had a fortified town built there to resettle a community of Genoese fishermen from the Tunisian island of Tabarka, and the walled village with its church, gates and low whitewashed houses still stands, protected by a ring of watchtowers. Today it is a marine reserve with turquoise shallows and some of the clearest snorkelling water on the Costa Blanca. A day trip typically combines the boat crossing with free time on the island, giving you time to walk the lanes, swim from rocky coves, snorkel, and eat caldero, a rich fisherman's rice cooked in fish stock that is Tabarca's signature dish. Some excursions pair the island with a stop at Santa Pola and its pink salt lagoon, giving a full day that mixes sea, salt flats and village life. It is a great escape in summer when Alicante is hot, and a scenic, quiet outing in the shoulder seasons.

The island is only about a mile and a half long and a few hundred metres wide, so everything is within a short walk. Wander the walled town, climb the ramparts for sea views, and look in at the Church of San Pedro y San Pablo. Beyond the walls the paths lead to small rocky beaches, a lighthouse and the western end where fewer visitors venture.

The surrounding waters form the first marine reserve declared in Spain, so fishing is restricted and the seabed is full of life; you may see sea bream, wrasse and Posidonia seagrass meadows even in shallow water.

Practicalities matter more than usual. There is very little shade, so bring a hat and strong sunscreen, plus water and swim shoes for pebbly entries. Restaurants cluster near the port, and in July and August they fill quickly at lunchtime, so ask your operator whether a table is reserved.

The island is small enough that cars are not allowed, and rubbish is carried off the island, so take your waste back with you. In winter, ferries run less often, fewer places are open, and the wind can be cool, but you get the village almost to yourself.

If you want a mix of sights, pick one that includes Santa Pola and the pink lagoon. Wear shoes you can walk in on cobbles, and carry a small bag for a towel. Many visitors say the quiet late afternoon, when day-trippers leave, is the island's most beautiful hour.

Think about the crowd as well as the weather. Boats arrive in waves, and the village feels busiest between noon and four, when day-trippers fill the restaurants and the main beach. If you walk toward the lighthouse or the far coves you will find quieter water within ten minutes. Pack lightly, because there are few places to store bags, and bring cash for small purchases, as some stalls prefer it.

If you want to see the island at its most peaceful, overnight stays exist in small guesthouses, giving you the evening light and the early morning almost to yourself. Even on a day trip, a late swim and a slow lunch make the journey worthwhile.