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Long since stripped of its original fittings, the 18th-century Governor’s House, now a simple hotel (see Hotel Casa del Gobernador, Isla Tabarca), remains the finest residence on the island.

Dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, Tabarca’s church, perched right above the sea, is built of faded, rosy stone. Its simple façade has some pretty Baroque flourishes.

Tabarca’s lighthouse emerges from the scrubby wilderness at the western tip of the island. It is a substantial 19th-century affair combining sturdy living quarters with a slender tower. Long mechanized, the lighthouse is closed to visitors.

This impressive 18th-century watchtower was built as part of the fortifications which protected the islanders from pirate raids. In the 19th century it was used as a prison.

The main beach on Tabarca is a silvery arc of sand opposite the port. It attracts huge numbers of sunbathers and swimmers during summer. Thanks to their shingle beaches, the gorgeous coves which fringe the entire island are less popular, so they make great places to escape the crowds.

The island of Tabarca was declared a marine reserve in 1986. Its waters contain a wealth of aquatic life among the rocks and reefs. A number of companies in Santa Pola offer diving and snorkelling trips.

Tabarca’s little port is the island’s hub, where a few colourfully painted fishing boats are dwarfed by the incoming and outgoing ferries.

The 18th-century village of Nova Tabarca was fortified to withstand pirate attacks. Stretches of wall and some of the gates survive.

Tabarca is the largest island of a small archipelago. The islets off its coast are perfect for swimming and picnicing.

The quiet streets of this simple little settlement of low, brightly painted houses offer delightful glimpses of flower-filled patios and palm-shaded squares.