Tarifa has long been
known as a culturally-blended town, through
all its incarnations: frontier fortress,
fishing village, trendy tourist town. All
the peoples who have settled in or near
Tarifa have left a mark, from ancient Roman
soldiers to Moorish settlers, Jewish
merchants and Celto-Iberians. The Moorish
style of architecture is the most common
here, but everything else blends in with
these walls to create a singularly beautiful
place to vacation. You'll find virgin
coastline, fine hotels, and tons of water
sports to engage your interests.
Sports
Tarifa is a perfect place for surfers and
beach lovers, and has perfect windsurfing
waters and winds. More sedentary beachgoers
can lounge on the warm sands and enjoy a
spectacular view of the Rif mountains,
visible across the Mediterranean from
Africa. Virgin beaches and wild coastline
offer room for birdwatchers and hikers,
rock-climbing and surfing. Scuba diving and
horseback riding are also available for
those who are interested, and world-class
golf courses abound in the region.
Tarifa's Living History
Many parts of Tarifa have not changed in
hundreds of years. Local fishermenb stil use
the Almadraba circling method of fishing,
over seven hundred years old, and the narrow
alleys paved with cobblestones stretch
through walls cascaded over by jasmine.
Wrought iron rejas decorate homes lining the
street, and the castellated walls of the old
city are closely woven with the homes. The
eighth-century city gate of Jerez has been
restored, and the church of San Mateo and
buildings in the Calle de los Azogues date
back to the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries.
You can visit the Arab castle of Guzman
the Bueno, built in 960 AD probably on the
ruinms of an old Roman fort. Two high towers
in the east section once protected the
entrance to Tarifa. And on Calle de la
Fuente you can find a historic and unique
fountain. La Alameda is an Andalucian paved
garden decorated with flowers and old
villagers filled with stories.
Modern Tarifa
Tapas bars abound, particularly to the
east of the Alameda. On Batalla del Salado,
north of town, surf shops and trendy
clothing stores line the streets. Wind
turbines on the hills generate enormous
amounts of power, and they're certainly
something to get a picture of.
The most modern parts of Tarifa, though,
are the beaches. For families, try the Playa
Chica. If you prefer rocky beaches, check
out La Caleta, a quiet beach often missed by
tourists. The large Playa de los Lances
stretches ten kilometers down the coast, and
provides perfect surf and wind for kite
surfing. Near the Hurricane Hotel you'll
find the Playa de Valdevaqueros.
You can also take the regular daily ferry
across to Tangiers; visit the souk for a
day, or explore the unique nature of
Tangiers.
Nightlife in Tarifa is very entertaining
indeed. You'll find discos throughout the
old town and the beach, and La Casa Amarilla
features flamenco music. Continental has
live music, and there are dozens of other
music and other bars.
Where to Stay
You can stay in a number of hotels
located in the town or its outskirts, and
you also have the option of camping out in
several areas along the beach. The Hotel
Punta Sur is perfect for families, and very
convenient to the beach. The Hurricane hotel
has subtropical gardens that open to the
beaches of Playa de Valdevaqueros, and
excellent views of Morocco. This hotel is
friendly, and its restaurant serves simple
dishes with the best and freshest
ingredients they can find.
For some history, consider the Cortijo La
Hoya, over a hundred years old, or Casa
Silos, a medieval townhouse within the old
town wall.
For honeymooners or those who prefer
style and class, the over-14 hotel El
Aguilon may be ideal. Its swimming pool, set
in an orange grove, is lovely, and the
building itself is an old Andalucian Cortijo.
