With it’s natural park, is a favorite tourist destination for visitors from all over the world. It has a beautiful fascinating spanish culture influenced by the Arabs. This small Spanish fishing village in the southest point of Europe, is an ideal kitesurf location with perfect wind and wave conditions as in Gibraltar Strait. You won’t find a better place in Europe for learning and practicing many sports as kitesurf, windsurf, stand up paddle surf, surf, climbing, mountain bike and many more…!

Known for its permanent winds and the special beaches of Los Lances, Valdevaqueros or Punta Paloma, it has become a premier spot. In winter, the wave season arrives, with pleasant temperatures for water sports, and challenges for the more experienced riders.

The African continent is just 14 km away. You will remember forever the view from Tarifa’s beaches of Marocco! Tarifa is also the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. There is so much to see and to do in Tarifa and across Andalusia.

Whether you’re looking to try some of the Tarifa’s sports or you would like to take a trip, we have loads of activity ideas for you. To be sure to have sun, sea, fun and adventure on your holidays, come to Tarifa and to our center Pata Nefra Surf!

BEACHES

Los Lances

Tarifa’s best beach for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Stunning white sandy beach with clear water, Andalucia mountains in background and amazing sunsets. Official kite spot from 16.6. till 15.9. It has the best wind conditions for sailing with the west winds. Apart from beach bars Agua and Waves there are no other buildings on the beach, no hotels, just cows and horses along the beachside.

Valdevaqueros

Just 8 km from Tarifa direction Cadiz. Wonderful beach with white sand next to the sand dune with clear water and rocks of San Bartolo in background. It forms part of the Natural Park called Gibraltar Strait. If you climb to the top of the dune, you get a wonderful view of the coastline until Tarifa and the coast of Morocco. Walk along the beach brings you to little hiden beahces and amazing surf spot. There is a path all the way along the beach to Bolonia. Official kite and windsurf spot from 16.6. till 15.9. Because of the sand dune you can sail here with all directions of wind. Apart of beach bars Tangana, Tabla and Volare only the nature surrounds you. Respect the kitesurf, windsurf and swimmer zones.

Playa Chica

The wery last gold sand beach of the Mediterranean Sea. A tiny beach in front of the Isla de las Palomas – the southernmost point of European continent. Families like to go there when west winds and waves in the sea as the water here is calm and the bay protects you from the wind. The favorite beach for the local people in summer. A nice place for stand up paddle, diving and snorkelling.

THINGS TO SEE

Island Las Palomas

Or called also Punta Marroquí, is the meeting point of Mediterranean sea and Atlantic Ocean. Here is the extreme southern limit of Spain and Europe and also the nearest place of Gibraltar Strait. At the end of the island you’ll find a 43m high lighthouse. You can take a nice walk between two seas to the island. For surfers, Balneario beach is a perfect surf spot where you get nice waves. Tarifa is the only place, where you can take a swim in either the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea.

Castle Guzmán el Bueno

Tarifa’s castle was built from Caliph Abderramán III as a strategic point of the Strait of Gibraltar. King Guzmán “The Good” became famous for his fight against Muslims in 1294. His son was captured by his enemies and as exchange they asked to have the village of Tarifa. He decided in favour of Tarifa, but his son was executed. A statue of Sancho IV is outside the castle looking out over Gibraltar Strait to the coast of Tanger in Morocco. You will find the castle in the old town of Tarife, near the sea. The opening time is: Tue-Sat 11am – 2pm and 6pm – 8pm. Sun 11am – 2pm. Mon closed.

St. Matthew’s Church

The town’s main church located in old town, near the castle, surrounded with lots of lovely restaurants. It was built in the 16th century and is largely of late Gothic style with a neo-classic facade. When the Spain’s Catholic Kings were driving the Moors back to Africa, Tarifa was a dengerous place. To encourage people to live here, the church offered a huge amount of forgiveness to anyone who stuck it out for a year. 1 year and 1 day after moving to Tarifa, they would have the privilege of passing through this special “door of pardons” and  Mass of thanksgiving would be held in that person’s honor.

Mini castle Santa Catalina

In front of Tarifa’s harbour you can see the castle from town beach Balneario. Santa Catalina was built in 1929 as a center for shipping. It changed during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. General Francisco Franco took it over for military purposes, converted it for ammunition storage and outfitted it with concrete bunkers for defens. It’s an area under construction at the moment.

Sand dune

About 8 km from Tarifa direction Cadiz, you’ll find a fantastic unspoilt beach Valdevaqueros. Turn to Punta Paloma and then take the next left to park. Head right on the beach where you see the sand dune. Follow the beach round to some very private rocky inlets on this natural reserve. The views of Africa from the sand dune are some of the best of all.

Roman ruins Baleo Claudia

In Bolonia, just 15 km  from Tarifa, direction Cadiz, are 2000 year old ruins of the Roman town of Baleo Claudia, which supplied the popular roman delicacy, fish paste, to the wholw Roman Empire. Emperor Claudius gave the town his name. Main attraction to be seen include the Theater, Temple of Isis, Basilica, Thermal baths, Aqueducts and Salting factory. Opening time: Tue – Sat: Jun-Sep 9am – 7pm, Nov-Feb 9am – 6pm. Sun all year round: 9am – 2pm. Mon closed.

Whales and dolphins

Take an excursion to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitats. In Strait of Gibraltar you can see killer whales, striped dolphins, common dolphins, sperm whale etc. Dolphins and pilot whales you can see any time, sperm whales May to July and killer whales season is from June till September.

Tanger, Morocco

Only 14 km with fast ferry, half an hour crossing the Gibraltar Strait you will discover another world, the African continent. We recommend one day trip with guide and tipical Moroccan food and local tee. You can see the market, historical city center and cultural things as dancing cobra. Make a reservation with us and than just walk into the ferry.

Snorkeling, horse riding, golf, yoga, scuba diving, fishing, Almadraba, bird watching, trekking …