Isla de las Palomas is a small island linked to the town of Tarifa by a causeway, which extends south into the Atlantic Ocean from the town. The island is the southernmost point of mainland Spain and the European continent, and only 11 km from the Moroccan coast.
While the historic port town of Tarifa offers hotels and apartments to rent, its narrow medieval streets don't hide any villas. However in the surrounding countryside you will find some of the most picturesque villas on the Costa de la Luz. The vast majority of villas in the Tarifa area have swimming pools, gardens and private parking. They are ideal for family holidays with their child-friendly facilities.
A wonderful opportunity to get close to whales, dolphins and other sea mammals, in their natural habitat in the Straits of Gibraltar. This is the area of sea where where the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea meet, in the narrow space between the southermost point of Spain, and the African continent.
This vast park covers 167,767ha from Tarifa in the south to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in the north. It is named after its handsome and beautifully kept cork tree grove, the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most important ones in the world.
The origin of the town's name is from an early Moorish invader, Tarif Ibn Malik, who led a raid in 710. Tarifa's African heritage can also be seen in its impressive walled fort, Castillo de Guzman, which was built over an alcazar constructed under orders from the Caliph of Cordoba.
There are a number options for types of hotels in Tarifa, to suit all budgets and tastes. For those in search of a hotel, there's everything from affordable, friendly hostels to hip boutique hotels and more luxurious establishments. As a host for the alternative culture that comes hand-in-hand with surf dudes - it's one of Europe’s top wind-powered watersports venues, and is known as the kitesurf capital of Europe.
Tarifa sits at the southern-most point of mainland Europe, where the Med meets the Atlantic. Just 14km across the Straits of Gibraltar at its narrowest point, the town enjoys spectacular views of the Rif mountains of North Africa, just across the water.
The 5th GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, event was held between 1st and 4th of May 2024 on Valdevaqueras beach opposite Bibo Beach House in Tarifa the wind capital of Andalucia.
The 4th GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, event was held between 11th and 15th of October 2023 at Bebo Beach House, Valdevaqueros Beach in Tarifa the wind capital of Andalucia.
The GKA Big Air World Championships took place from Fri 2nd to Tue 6th within the long event window of 26th of May to 16th June 2023 on Playa Lances Sur opposite Balneario.
The 3rd GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, event was held between 12th and 15th of October 2022 at Bebo Beach House, Valdevaqueros Beach in Tarifa the wind capital of Andalucia.
The GKA Big Air World Championships take place within the event window of 20th of June to the 6th of July on Playa Lances Sur opposite Balneario. In addition competitors and fans will be able to enjoy the Kite Expo that will be from the 21st to the 26th of June at BIBO Beach House, at Playa Valdevaqueros.
The 2nd Tarifa Wing Pro 2021 focus is on the Surf-Freestyle discipline as the main format with a total prize money of 10.000€. There is also Surf-Race format an exhibition discipline to develop the format for an additional discipline to be official in 2021.
Wing Foiling is the latest-born board sport : it consists in managing a wing not attached to the board and carried with two hands while standing on a hydrofoil mounted on a short stand up paddle board. This a cross-over discipline between Windfoiling, Kite Foiling and SUP Foiling.
This contemporary restaurant at Valdevaqueros beach by three-Michelin-starred chef Dani Garcia, who is based in Marbella, opened on eve of San Juan; 23rd June 2019. The relaxed dining room has upbeat and chill/out music, while attentive waiting staff are dressed in Hawaiian-style beach shirts featuring red and pink hibiscus, palm leaves and frangipani.
This super cool, laid back coastal resort boasts fascinating Moorish ruins, crystal clear waters, ample sporting opportunities and spectacular views across to Africa. Strong winds, coupled with vast, flat stretches of beach have given the town its' reputation for wind related sports, making wind, kite and land surfing popular among visitors and locals.
The Duna de Bolonia, covering around 131m², is protected for its geological interest. It is located at the village of Bolonia, on the headland of Punta Camarinal, exposed to the ferocious easterly levante winds. At its highest point, the dune measures around 30m.
Just west of Tarifa is this magnificent 3km-long beach, the Playa de los Lances, 226ha of which is protected. The fine white sands are backed by a low ridge of dunes and the marshlands of the Jara and Vega rivers. These rivers run parallel to the beach and have created two lagoons, the Jeli and Montellano.
Tarifa is a great place for birdwatching, being situated on the edge of Los Alcornocales National Park, and also on the migration route for more than 400 species of birds which fly in flocks towards the Straits of Gibraltar and across to Africa to spend the winter, and then return again in spring.
Thanks to its ideal situation on the Straits of Gibraltar opposite Africa, where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, with constant winds, Tarifa is already known as the European capital of windsurfing. The expansive golden beaches to the north of the town (Playa de los Lances and Playa Valdevaqueros are ideal for these sports). For more information see our windsurf page.
