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Tarifa

Tarifa city of wind and surf

Tarifa is the most southerly point of the peninsula and of the Costa de la Luz, facing the African coast and bathed by the waters of the Straits of Gibraltar.

This geographic location is the reason that nearly always there is a moderate to strong wind blowing. In comination with the wam climate it makes Tarifa the ideal place for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Water sports

Tarifa owes its international reputation for water sports to the unbeatable conditions it offers, especially for windsurf, and its most recent development – flysurf. Every year there are regattas and competitions in the different categories (speed, wave and slalom). The Tarifa Cup opens the season in January.

This windsurfers’paradise has lots of shops where you can obtain all the necessary equipment. And you can look the part too, as there are all the designer clothes, accessories and gifts you could want, all with the essential “made in Tarifa” label.

Leisure and bars

Several centuries after the Christians of Tarifa, during a heroic siege, refused to concede to the Moors, today’s citizens gladly welcome the many men and women who now come, each year, to enjoy the wind and freedom of its beaches.

There is no better place to see and to be seen at the start of the day than the Central Café and the bars in the street of Sancho IV le Bravo. Throughout the historic quarter and its immediate surroundings there are lots of bars and restaurants where you can meet old and new friends while trying out local drinks and dishes. Moreover, it hardly needs saying that this lively atmosphere lasts until dawn, except, of course, for the sport enthusiasts. From about 3a.m. the “street scene” tends to move out to areas like Jayma, Jungle, and Lambigu.

Map of Tarifa

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City center

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(36.01272, -5.60302)

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How to get to Tarifa
HOSTELS AND HOTELS in Tarifa, Cádiz Province - SPAIN - Click Here

Environment of Tarifa

Tarifa has a surprisingly diverse and rich environment, partly explained by the Mediterranean and Atlantic coming together at this point. On one side there is the country park of Los Alconocales – a forest and wildlife reserve of the highest regard and on the other, there is a coastline of some 25 miles, noted for its beautiful and unspoilt beaches

There are some striking dunes at Valdevaqueros and Playa de Bolonia (Note the monument of Duna de Bolonia), best seen against the beautiful and undisturbed background of the Sierra de la Plata.

While the countryside has fauna and flora typical of this kind of coastline its great attraction is the annual migration of tens of thousands of birds from Europe to Africa, and vice versa, through the Straits of Gibraltar. The authorities have built a special observation point which attracts professional and amateur birdwatchers from all over the world.