Updated November 2026. The Nueva Tabarca Museum is the island’s municipal museum. It is inside the walled town, in the old almadraba (tuna-fishing) warehouse, next to the main beach and a few steps from the harbour. Entry is free, and a 30–45 minute visit explains the island’s history, its founding in the 18th century and its relationship with the sea.
Opening hours, price and contact
| Where | Old almadraba warehouse, Nueva Tabarca |
| Winter hours | Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00–14:00 and 15:30–16:30 |
| Summer hours | Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00–14:00 and 16:00–18:30 |
| Price | Free entry |
| Contact | +34 965 960 175 · museotabarca@alicante.es |
Hours according to Alicante Tourism’s official guide. They may change on public holidays or during works: call ahead, especially in winter, when there are also few boats.
What you will see
- The founding of Nueva Tabarca: how Charles III had the island fortified in 1770 and settled it with families of Genoese origin rescued in Algiers, who had previously lived on the Tunisian island of Tabarka.
- The almadraba and fishing: the building itself was the almadraba warehouse, the tuna-fishing method that was for decades one of the island’s main livelihoods.
- Underwater archaeology: objects recovered from the seabed nearby; the MARQ (Alicante Archaeological Museum) gave the museum a Roman anchor stock.
- The marine reserve: why Tabarca became Spain’s first marine reserve in 1986 and which species it protects.
Other sights nearby
- Church of San Pedro y San Pablo, 18th century, inside the walls.
- Puerta de Levante (or San Rafael) and the rest of the walls.
- San José Tower, outside the walls: a state prison in the 19th century. Alicante City Council has permission to use it and is studying a museum use.
- The lighthouse, square in plan, at the other end of the island.
For the rest of your visit, see our history of Tabarca and how to get to the island.
