The site was partially destroyed by a dynamite explosion in the 1940s intended for tourism development before being protected as an archaeological site.
The Roman remains include a sophisticated system of salt pans and tanks carved directly into the coastal rock.
Archaeological findings suggest the site was a major trading post for Mediterranean commerce for over 2,000 years.
The name 'Illeta dels Banyets' translates to 'Little Island of the Little Baths,' referring to the carved Roman fish pools.
The site contains one of the best-preserved Iberian temples in the region, featuring stone altars.
Remains of a Bronze Age settlement here date back to approximately 2000 BCE.
The location served as an agricultural 'villa rustica' during the Roman period, focusing on Mediterranean exports like garum.
Illeta dels Banyets is a unique archaeological site located on a small peninsula in El Campello that served as a strategic hub for Bronze Age, Iberian, and Roman civilizations. The site features the remains of two circular Bronze Age huts, an Iberian temple complex, and a Roman villa with an associated agricultural facility. Distinctive hydraulic structures, including carved rock fish tanks known as 'baths,' remain visible along the coastline. Excavations have revealed evidence of an advanced Roman era industrial complex dedicated to fish salting and oil production. The site is managed by the MARQ Archaeological Museum of Alicante. It functions as an outdoor museum, allowing visitors to walk between preserved stone foundation walls. The location is geologically significant due to its position on a rocky promontory jutting into the Mediterranean Sea.
The elevated walkway offering a panoramic view of the Roman fish tanks with the Mediterranean Sea in the background.
Wear sturdy walking shoes with good grip as the terrain consists of uneven stone, rock, and gravel.
Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is almost no shade across the excavated site.
Visit during the shoulder season to avoid the intense midday heat of the Spanish summer.
Do not attempt to swim in the ancient Roman fish tanks, as they are protected historical features.
Closed on Mondays; hours may be reduced during the winter season.
Stay on marked paths; do not climb on the stone ruins; protect fragile archaeological features.
