Right across from Morocco, there is a place where the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea meet. A place that is famous for its constant winds and stunning sandy beaches. A place where thousands of water sports enthusiasts come every year, and many have fallen in love with it thanks to its chilled atmosphere. Welcome to Tarifa – the capital of the wind and one of the world’s most popular destinations for water sports, like kitesurfing or windsurfing. Vamos, let us show you our favorite things to do in Tarifa, Spain.
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Our travel video from Tarifa
Tarifa, Spain FAQ
Tarifa is the southernmost point of Spain and mainland Europe. The town is located in Andalusia on the Costa de la Luz, across the Strait of Gibraltar, facing Morocco. Tarifa is also a place where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
Yes, absolutely! Tarifa is one of those places where it just feels good to be. Mainly, it’s a paradise for water sports lovers, but everyone will find something for themselves there. From strolling around the charming old town and sunbathing to taking part in exciting day trips and whale/dolphin watching. Nobody will be bored here!
Yes! The distance between Morocco and Tarifa is approximately 14km. Most of the time, visibility is good, which allows admiring the African coast from beaches in Tarifa.
In the Strait of Gibraltar, the Venturi effect is formed (which happens when a fluid or gas flows through a constricted passage) which results in the constant winds – either Levante (infamous, gusty, and strong offshore wind blowing from the East) or Poniente (light or moderate wind coming from West, from the Atlantic). These two winds prevail in Tarifa for over 300 days most years. Wind gusts of 60 kph or more are not uncommon at all in the area.
Things to do in Tarifa, Spain
Practice watersports
We cannot start our things to do in Tarifa guide with anything else than practicing watersports. As you already know, due to strong and constant winds, this town is one of the world’s most popular destinations for water sports enthusiasts.
All year round, thousands of people head to Tarifa to learn or practice kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, scuba diving, etc. If you’re a beginner, you can choose one of the dozens of schools in the area and sign up for lessons. You can take private lessons, semi-private, or in a group. Don’t worry about the equipment – the school will provide it. If you already know how to kite or surf, you can easily rent or buy the equipment in one of the schools or shops.
Scuba diving
You can also try scuba diving in Tarifa, but remember that you cannot dive on your own. You have to choose one of the diving centers. Most of the diving in Tarifa takes place around Isla de las Palomas. You’ll be able to spot marine animals like moray eels, octopus, scorpion fish, wrasses, ocean sunfish, sea perch, and many more. What’s more, diving in Tarifa means diving in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean at the same time – cool, huh?
Beaches in Tarifa
Beaches in Tarifa are without a doubt one of the most beautiful ones in Southern Spain. They are stretching for miles along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and are full of soft golden sand perfect for sunbathing and watching kite surfers. So it shouldn’t be surprising that one of the best things to do in Tarifa is hitting the beach!
Among the best beaches in Tarifa are: Playa de Los Lances, Playa de Valdevaqueros, Playa Punta Paloma, Playa de Bolonia, Playa Los Alemanes, and Playa La Caleta.
Along Playa de Los Lances, you’ll find a lovely promenade, perfect for long walks.
Also, another amazing attraction in Tarifa is to watch the sunset from one of its beaches. We saw many of them and believe us – they are truly beautiful!
Isla de las Palomas
Isla de las Palomas is the southernmost point of mainland Europe. Islet was in use since Phoenician times when they established a trading settlement there, later it was a military base. Inside the walls, you’ll find a lighthouse which was constructed on the base of a watchtower and was used to alert of the arrival of Berber pirates. In the early 19th century, the tower was converted into a lighthouse.
Since 1808 causeway has connected Isla de las Palomas with the mainland. The promenade splits the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean and is currently a very popular spot for photos. There are two signs in the middle – “Oceano Atlantico” on the west side, and “Mar Mediterraneo” on the east side.
Keep in mind that it’s not always easy to walk the promenade – when the winds are very strong, it’s almost impossible! But still, it’s one of the best things to do in Tarifa with stunning views all around you.
Entrance to Isla de las Palomas cost €4 (April 2026) and have to be booked in advance via the Tarifa Tourist Office.
Castle of Santa Catalina
A few meters from the promenade is the small hill with the Castle of Santa Catalina at the top. It occupies a strategic location overlooking the surroundings. Unfortunately, Castillo de Santa Catalina is in disuse and closed to the public.
It was designed in 1928 following Renaissance canons and completed in 1933. Not long after, in 1936, the building was bombed and suffered huge damage. In 1937, it was declared useless for service, but in 1972 the building was restored. It was a control center for the passage of ships, a weather station for the Spanish Royal Navy, and a National Institute of Meteorology. In 2000, the shipping control center moved to more modern facilities, and the castle served briefly as a night-time lookout point for the Guardia Civil. In 2001, ownership returned to the Tarifa Town Council.
Castle of Guzman the Good
The Castle of Guzman the Good (es. Castillo de Guzman el Bueno) is one of Tarifa’s main attractions built in 960. The main purpose was to protect the town from attacks from the sea. The Castle is located in a strategic position, on a small hill, thanks to what guards could see both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and had plenty of time to prepare for whatever was coming. Today, visiting the castle is one of the best things to do in Tarifa, especially for history lovers.
Interesting fact. The castle was named after its governor, Alfonso Perez de Guzman, who defended the town in 1294. During a Muslim siege, he refused to surrender and sacrificed his son to keep the population safe! To honor him, in 1960 a statue was put in front of the castle.
Entrance to the Castle of Guzman the Good costs: €4 for adults, and €2.5 for children (April 2026). For current prices and opening hours, visit the castilloguzmanelbueno.com website.
Jerez Gate
Jerez Gate (es. Puerta de Jerez) is one of the most famous landmarks of Tarifa. It’s the only part of the medieval wall that surrounds the town and has survived to this day. Gates date back to the 13th century. Above the arch, you can see an inscription celebrating King Sancho IV, who conquered the city from the Moors – “Very noble, very loyal and heroic city of Tarifa won from the Moors while reigning Sancho IV El Bravo, on September 21, 1292”. Puerta de Jerez restoration works took place in 2000.
Tarifa Old Town
Tarifa Old Town has a typical Andalusian vibe and is full of charming whitewashed houses, narrow streets, corners, and squares. The streets are full of restaurants, bars, and small shops, and exploring them is definitely one of the coolest things to do in Tarifa. Enter through Puerta de Jerez, lose yourself in this charming maze, and look out for the remains from the Arab times. You should be able to spot some of the Arabic decorations or still-standing remains of the city walls.
Church of St. Matthew
The Church of St. Matthew (es. Iglesia de San Mateo Apóstol) is the main church of Tarifa, located in the old town. It was built in Gothic style on the remains of an old mosque and dates back to the early 16th century. The main facade was redesigned in the 18th century in Baroque style. The entrance to the church is free during opening hours.
Whales & dolphins watching
Looking for a unique thing to do in Tarifa? Here, you’ll have a opportunity to take a closer look at whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, in a safe way, both for you and for the animals.
The season for whale watching in Tarifa lasts between April and October. The peak season is mid-June through to early September. During this time, most tour operators can promise a high chance of seeing whales.
How much does whale watching in Tarifa cost? Expect to pay at least €45 per person for a 2-3 hour trip. You can check out prices and book your whale-watching trip on the GetYourGuide website.
Taste the local tuna fish
Tarifa is famous for its delicious tuna dishes. If you eat fish, don’t miss the opportunity to taste some of the local specialties. Bluefin tuna have been fished in Tarifa for three thousand years. Currently, this species is protected, and its fishing is controlled. Interesting fact: bluefin tuna is the world’s largest species of tuna!
If you’ll be visiting from late May to early June, you can take part in the Ruta del Atún event. It is one of the most popular gastronomic events in southern Andalusia. Various best restaurants in Tarifa are taking part, preparing special tuna dishes for visitors to try. If you can, don’t miss this delicious thing to do in Tarifa.
Day trips from Tarifa, Spain
Tarifa is also a great starting point for discovering the area. Here are some of our favorite options (click the links and learn more in our posts):
- Trip to Bolonia Beach, ruins of Baelo Claudia Roman city, and the dunes
- Day trip to Gibraltar, to see a small part of the United Kingdom, but in the sun
- Day trip to Cadiz, to see one of the oldest towns in Europe
- Day trip to Vejer de la Frontera, to see one of the most beautiful white villages in Spain
- Day trip to Tangier to see the beautiful, historic Moroccan port city, located right across the Strait of Gibraltar
How to get to Tarifa, Spain?
Tarifa is located 100km from Cadiz, 160km from Malaga, 45km from Gibraltar, and 200km from Seville. The most convenient way to get to Tarifa is by car or bus.
Where to park in Tarifa?
There are many free parking lots and places on the streets in Tarifa, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding a place. We can’t really recommend any particular one, but we saw that many drivers were leaving cars in this place.
To Tarifa by bus
You can easily get to Tarifa by bus. For example, the trip from Cadiz will take about 1.5 hours, 2.5 hours from Malaga, and 3 hours from Seville. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you, visit the rome2rio.com website.
To Tarifa by train
Unfortunately, there is no train station in Tarifa. The closest one is located in Algeciras, about 25km away, and from there you can take a bus or taxi to Tarifa. You can check out a map of available connections in Spain on acprail.com.
Campings in Tarifa
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Area de Autocaravanas de Tarifa, Parking Estadio Futbal, or this small parking lot next to the beach might interest you. They are located in Tarifa.
Explore local attractions
Things to do in Tarifa, Spain – Summing up
We hope this guide to things to do in Tarifa inspired you to visit the windy and relaxed Tarifa. It’s a truly amazing place in southern Spain, perfect for slowing down for a few days. Just spend some quality time on the beach, lose yourself in the maze of whitewashed streets, admire the views, and absorb the town’s amazing bohemian vibe. Or maybe even go windsurfing, if that’s something you’d like to try! Have a great time in Tarifa!
Our opinion about Tarifa
We lived in Tarifa for 8 weeks (January and February) during our #season1 of digital nomad life. During that time, the town wasn’t crowded, but it was still quite busy, mostly with water sports enthusiasts and also people traveling by campers. We can only imagine what it looks like in the summer months!
Overall, we really enjoyed our time in Tarifa. It was a perfect place to relax and chill. We especially loved long and lazy daily walks along the promenade, watching sunsets and windsurfers doing tricks in midair. We also think it’s an excellent starting point for discovering Costa de la Luz.
Until today, it’s one of our favorite spots in Andalusia. We remember it very fondly and will gladly come back one day.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Tarifa?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Tarifa:
Guys this was a fantastic read and I’m low-key crushing now over Tarifa! I would love the endless beaches, sand dunes and activities there. You’ve placed a seed in my head now. I would probably not rent a car and be reliant on public transport. So I was eagerly awaiting that part of your post to come up. I’m glad to read it is accessible from various points in Spain.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
Hello Carolin! We’re so happy that our post encouraged you to visit Tarifa and its surroundings. It’s such a beautiful place, so so you probably won’t regret it 🙂