# Tarifa

Tarifa is a small, historic town in the Province of Cadiz, Andalusia, Spain. Tarifa is the southernmost point of mainland Europe and Africa is just 14 km away across the Strait of Gibraltar and is exact point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea.
Tarifa's popularity as a holiday destination has markedly increased in the 2010s, mainly fuelled by its position as Europe's most significant kitesurfing destination.

## Understand

The charming walled Old Town has maintained a distinctive atmosphere and the surrounding area has avoided the worst ravages of the tourist developments which have blighted much of the Spanish coastline. Much of the surrounding coastline is still protected by law and a few kilometres to the west of the town are two of Spain's most beautiful beaches.

## Get in
### By plane

The nearest airports are Malaga a 1½-hour drive, Gibraltar, 35 minutes, Jerez de la Frontera a 1-hour drive and the airport of Tangier, Morocco. Tangier is a 1-hour ferry journey from Tarifa.

### By bus

You can get the bus to Tarifa from Algeciras (45 min), La Linea, Malaga, Jerez, and Cadiz (1½ hr). Most if not all rides are operated by Transportes Generales Comes.

### By boat

From the port a fast ferry by FRS leaves every other hour to the port of Tangier, Morocco. Cruise time varies from 35 minutes to 1 hour. One-way, €40 (includes shuttle from Tarifa to Algeciras). Round-trip, €71. There's also another company plying the route, Intershipping. Also here, there are departures every second hour, the crossing taking one hour and prices are as of June 2016 practically the same (€65.70 for a round-trip). Ticket holders can then take free shuttle buses at Tarifa onward to Algeciras, duration 45 min.

## See

A walk around the 36.016667-5.61 historic centre is a good start to exploring Tarifa. Many of the most interesting architectural sights are on a walking distance.
* 36.0117-5.60272 Castle of Tarifa (Castillo de Guzmán El Bueno). Daily 10:30-14:00, 17:00-20:00. Probably one of the best maintained medieval buildings in Spain, built in 960 by Abd ar-Rahman. From the tower you have a 360-degree view over Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar. The legend of Guzman the Good is that the Moors held his son captive at the bottom of the rampart. "Give us Andalucia or we kill your son!" they cried out. Without hesitation, Guzman threw his knife into the heart of his son. Thus ended the 800-year occupation of Spain.
* 36.0032-5.60993 La Isla de las Palomas. Off limits to the public. The road that leads to the former island "dividing the Mediterranean and the Atlantic". Beautiful views over the strait and to Africa (16.4 km). The little castle is called Castillo Santa Catalina, built in 1929. The southern tip of Isla de las Palomas - is the southernmost point of mainland Europe.
* 36.013333-5.6019444 Church San Mateo (Town centre). The Gothic church was built in the 16th century. The facade was rebuilt in 1774 by La Vega faithful to the original. The door of the church is always open.
* 36.03994-5.634535 Los Lances Beach (Playa de Los Lances). The famous surf beach. Wide and white sand. The immense beach at Los Lances is recognised as the best kite and windsurf beach in Europe and is home to a number of kitesurfing schools providing lessons for everyone from kids to experts.
* 36.01198-5.602146 Plaza de Santa Maria (Plaza de Los Ocho Ranitas/Eight Frogs Plaza). The main buildings are the La Alcazaba in neoclassical style, Tarifa city hall, and the local library.
* 36.01416-5.604387 Puerta de Jerez (Jerez Gate). Main entrance to the old town of Tarifa, part of the medieval wall, is the only gate of the original three that has survived. Above the entrance is written, Very noble, very loyal and heroic city of Tarifa, won from the Moors, reigning Sancho IV el Bravo 21 September 1292.
* 36.008511-5.6067078 Playa Chica. Nice sandy beach. (updated Jan 2021)
* 36.013515-5.6017779 Mayor de San Mateo Church (Iglesia Mayor de San Mateo). Built in 1506 on the remains of a mosque. Its current Baroque facade was designed by architect Torcuato Cayon de la Vega in 1774. (updated Jan 2021)
* 36.000278-5.61027810 Punta de Tarifa Lighthouse (Faro Punta de Tarifa). Southernmost lighthouse in Spain. (updated Jan 2021)
* 36.012785-5.60005511 Santiago Church (Iglesia de Santiago). (updated Jan 2021)
* 36.001097-5.60958712 Torre de las Palomas. 16th century watchtower. (updated Jan 2021)

### Nearby

* 36.089861-5.77461113 Baelo Claudia (in Bolonia, 20 km from the old town). Roman ruins right on the beach. Remains of temples, baths, houses, and a Roman theatre.
* 36.100564-5.79333514 Cueva del Moro. Cave with prehistoric wall paintings. (updated Jan 2021)
* 36.121147-5.6470515 Torre del Rayo. Fortified medieval tower. (updated Jan 2021)
* 36.056944-5.65916716 Torre de la Peña. 24/7. Ruins of an ancient watchtower. Free. (updated Jan 2021)
* 36.036594-5.5218617 Torre del río Guadalmedina. (updated Jan 2021)

## Do
### Sealife watching

Seven species of marine mammals can be found in the Strait of Gibraltar. In addition to the year-round local bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and pilot whales, you can occasionally see orcas, fin whales and sperm whales. In Tarifa, various providers offer observation trips from the end of March to the beginning of November. Such trips only take place when the sea is calm.

### Windsurfing

Tarifa owes its fame to windsurfing. The bay is ideal, with fresh winds from the Atlantic, the so-called Poniente wind, and the warm strong Levante wind from the Mediterranean. The best spots are Valdevaqueros, Los Lances, Balneario, Playa Chica, and Bolonia. Windsurfing schools are open all year around and offer the best and latest equipment.

### Kitesurfing

Tarifa is also a great place to kitesurf, with huge beaches, steady winds and sun all year round.
* 36.04269-5.624481 Graykite, Ctra Comarcal 9210 KM 2, Zona Pedro Valiente (the usual meeting point for lessons is at Chiringuito Agua on Playa Los Lances), ☏ +34 600 76 62 33, tarifa@graykite.surf. 08:00-20:00. Graykite is a kitesurfing school offering lessons for beginners, advanced kiteboarders and children. All instructors are IKO qualified and have between 4 and 14 years of teaching experience. Most beginners can kitesurf independently after a 3-day course. Help with travel arrangements and accommodation can be provided if required. €70-160. (updated Oct 2016)
* 36.01981-5.599292 Alex Pastor Kite Club, Calle Algeciras, 58, ☏ +34 956 62 72 71, info@alexpastorkiteclub.com. 10:30-20:30. kitesurf school & kite shop. Airush kite shop & test centre, with kite gear from Airush Kiteboarding. €20-55/hr. (updated Jun 2018)

## Eat

* 36.01385-5.601321 Mandragora, Calle Independencia, 3 (On Independencia, a small alleyway between the city wall and the Church of San Mateo). A nice restaurant in the old city. It is not cheap, but the food is the best.

## Drink

* 36.00992-5.60841 Balneario Beach Club Tarifa, Playa de los Lances s/n, ☏ +34 666 000 111. Probably the best spot in Tarifa to enjoy the impressive famous views over the strait and sunset.

## Sleep

* 36.01188-5.604161 Hostal Alameda, Paseo Alameda 4 (City centre), ☏ +34 659 127 472, info@hostalalameda.com. Comfortable, cosy hostal.
* 36.05198-5.648022 Hotel Arte Vida, Ctra N340 km 79.3 (Los Lances Beach), ☏ +34 956685246, reservas@hotelartevidatarifa.com. Great views over the Strait of Gibraltar. The restaurant is well known for fresh fish and ambiance. Don't miss the sunset celebration parties at the beach club. Great mojitos.
* 36.01633-5.608283 Hotel La Mirada, Calle San Sebastian 41. Nice English-speaking staff, decent location. Good en suite bath and flat-screen TV. €40.
* 36.01657-5.606924 Pension Facundo, C. Batalla del Salado, 47, ☏ +34 956 684 298, facundotarifa@gmail.es. Great hostel accommodating backpackers and travellers on a budget. The hostel cares for hygiene and maintains cooking facilities and free Internet. Staff has problems speaking English. €20/night for a bed in the dorm or more for a nice private room.

## Connect

As of Dec 2024, Tarifa and its approach highways have 5G from all Spanish carriers.

## Go next

* Tangier — Africa is just a short boat ride away
* Cadiz — the capital of the province offers 3,000 years of history and a huge Carnival.
* Gibraltar
* Ceuta
* Granada
* Jerez de la Frontera
* Seville
* Ronda