A town in southern Europe has miles of golden sandy beaches, beautiful scenery and a cool, relaxed vibe that has attracted Spaniards looking for a chilled break for years
There’s no better recommendation for a holiday location than if the locals go there and one town in Andalucia has been popular with the country’s residents for years.
At the most southerly point of mainland Europe lies Tarifa, in the Cadiz province of Andalucia, Spain. The area is renowned for its huge stretches of stunning white sandy beaches which sit on the Costa de la Luz and where it’s possible to see the neighbouring country of Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Thanks to its position the town experiences unique wind conditions which coupled with the incredible shoreline and Atlantic and Mediterranean waters has made it a mecca for windsurfers and kitesurfers. This adds to the eclectic cool vibe that Tarifa enjoys and which seeps into the atmosphere of the town.
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One regular visitor who was raised in Malaga and now splits her time between Andalucia and Barcelona makes sure she visits every year for a chilled beach break or to work remotely while enjoying the “magical” place. Isabella Noble’s family came across the town in the 1990s and like many other Spanish residents, immediately fell in love with it.
She spoke to Lonely Planet about why it’s so special: “Cádiz’s Atlantic-washed Costa de la Luz has been popular with Spaniards for years, and Tarifa has a special edge thanks to its lively kitesurfing and windsurfing scene,” she said. “The entire undeveloped coast stretching northwest from Tarifa is a protected parque natural, and even when things get busy in summer, there are plenty of hidden corners.”
Her favourite things to do while visiting are strolling along the coastal walk with its natural sea pools from Bolonia’s Roman ruins to the dunes at the incredible Punta Paloma beach where you can enjoy the health benefits of a mud bath. She also likes to hike to the secluded El Cañuelo beach which she describes as, “a pine-fringed, back-to-nature paradise where there’s often no one else around”.
The town itself with its charming whitewashed buildings has a selection of bohemian boutique hotels, which Isabella often stays at. There are also plenty of restaurants serving international dishes and tapas and cosy bars. The independent shops are ideal for browsing the local crafts, clothes and jewellery for sale.
History enthusiasts should visit the recently renovated Castillo de Guzman el Bueno which dates back to the 10th century. Originally built as a Moorish fortress, it became a military stronghold up to the 16th century. Breathtaking views from the castle walls across Tarifa, its shoreline and over to Morocco can be taken in from here. Ferries to Tangiers depart daily from the port for anyone fancying a day trip to the gateway between Africa and Europe.