Tarifa is a small, traditional town on the Costa de la Luz in Cádiz Province, Andalucia, Spain. The town sits on the southernmost coast of Spain, facing Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar and at the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea.
The town tends to get a little windy, but that’s what makes Tarifa a popular spot for kitesurfers, windsurfers and surfers in general. If you haven’t tried these sports, there are several surf schools in town to help.
The narrow, winding streets feature many cafes, tapas bars and restaurants and there are plenty of shops. However, Tarifa also has glorious, white sand beaches and plenty of history to explore, with its Roman and Moorish past.
1
Playa de Los Lances, Tarifa
This expansive 7 km stretch of beach features rustic dunes and stretches from Punta de la Peña to Punta de Tarifa. The windy conditions here make it the ideal spot for kitesurfers and windsurfers alike.
2
Castle of Tarifa or Castle of Guzmán
The Castle of Tarifa, or Castle of Guzmán, dates back to the 10th century and visitors can enjoy guided tours, including beautiful Morocco, sea and city views from the castle walls. Originally built by the Moors, when Tarifa was retaken by Spain, the castle was given to Alonso Pérez de Guzmán for the defence of the country.
3
El Mirador del Estrecho (Viewpoint over the Strait)
This scenic viewpoint offers beautiful vistas over the Strait of Gibraltar to the African coast. It is located 6 km from the centre of Tarifa and stands at 300 metres above sea level. On clear days, an uninterrupted view can be enjoyed of the Spanish city and territory of Ceuta and the Moroccan port of Tanger. There is a cafe and bar for refreshments onsite.
4
Baelo Claudia – Roman town in Bolonia near Tarifa
Baelo Claudia is an ancient Roman town, around 22 km along the coast from Tarifa in the village of Bolonia. Lying directly on the beach, it was originally a Roman fishing town and a trade link around 2,000 years ago. The temples, residential area, forum and amphitheatre can be seen as well as vats for salting and producing garum (fermented fish sauce) from tuna fish. There is also a museum with interesting Roman artefacts to explore.
5
Puerta de Jerez (Jerez Gate), Tarifa
Puerta de Jerez, or Jerez Gate, is the only remaining gate giving access through the old Moorish city defence walls. This particular gate gave access to the road leading north to Jerez de la Frontera. Today it stands as a contrast to the white buildings of the surrounding town.
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