Updated November 2026. Tabarca is the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community, but very few people live there all year round. These are the key facts about its inhabitants.
How many people live on Tabarca
Around fifty people are registered as residents, but in winter far fewer actually live on the island permanently. In summer the number multiplies with holiday homes, hotel guests and restaurant staff, and the island receives thousands of day visitors.
What the inhabitants are called
People from Tabarca are called tabarquinos (in Valencian, tabarquins). The island belongs to the municipality of Alicante, although most regular boats leave from Santa Pola.
Where their families came from
In 1770 King Charles III fortified the island and settled it with families of Genoese origin who had been rescued from captivity in Algiers. They had previously lived on the Tunisian island of Tabarka, which is why the town is called Nueva Tabarca. Surnames from that origin are still common in the area, such as Parodi, Ruso, Chacopino and Luchoro. Read the full story in our history of Tabarca.
What they do for a living
- Tourism: restaurants, small hotels and shops that depend on day visitors.
- Small-scale fishing: still allowed in the marine reserve using traditional methods.
- Public services: maintenance, the museum and services run by Alicante City Council.
Life on the island
There are no cars, few shops and services depend on the boats. In winter the island is very quiet, with limited boat services between November and January. If you want to experience that calm, see where to stay on Tabarca.
