Tips for your holidays in Tarifa
This beautiful little town in the southern tip of the Spanish mainland is a real hotspot for ocean lovers. In Tarifa, the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, and this means that you get to see A LOT of dolphins and whales. In fact, even orcas can be found off the coast of Tarifa! The special geography also makes it the perfect spot for kitesurfing thanks to the good winds that blow here during summer. The waves for surfing in Tarifa are also great!
The dolphin and orca watching boat tours in Tarifa are the absolute highlight though because it’s suitable for the whole family. The cute little old town invites for a delicious lunch in one of the hip cafés afterwards. Come and let the mix of European and North African charm enchant you in this amazing little Spanish town!
Getting to Tarifa
Getting to Tarifa is not as easy as getting to
Valencia or
Barcelona.
Tarifa does not have an airport, so you have to arrive by land or water. But don't let that stop you! There is always a friendly option for the budget backpacker or any other kind of traveller. The best way to get to Tarifa is to
fly to Málaga, Sevilla or Jerez de la Frontera first. From there, you can take a bus to Tarifa.
Regretfully, the
bus supply to get to Tarifa is not great. The schedules are a bit limited and they change according to the day of the week. For example, if you travel on a Sunday, the schedules are much more restrictive. Many travellers recommend looking at different
carpooling platforms to see if someone else is heading to Tarifa! Carpooling is almost always cheaper. In the worst-case scenario, it will be the same price as a bus or train, but at least you'll be in a car full of minded-like travelers.
Best things to do during your holidays in Tarifa
Watch the sunset at Playa de Los Lances
Playa de Los Lances is the closest beach to the old town of Tarifa and can be reached by foot from the historic center in 15-20 minutes. The beach is wide, with clear sand and turquoise water. While you can visit Playa de Los Lances at any time of the day, we definitely recommend watching the sunset from this beach. You can watch the sunset from one of the cosy bars facing the sea. Be ready for one of the best sunsets of your life!
Go kitesurfing in Tarifa
Did you know that Tarifa is the
biggest spot for kitesurfing in all of Europe? Tarifa is one of the most famous places to practice kitesurfing because of the wind and consequent perfect waves at the beaches that surround the town. There are more than 20 points where you can kite surf (and windsurf) in Tarifa! Some of these spots are near town, while others are a few miles away.
If you never tried kitesurfing before, then
Tarifa is the best place to learn this amazing water sport. Many people go to Tarifa because they can do kitesurfing all day, every day. If you are interested in kitesurfing or already love this sport, you simply cannot leave Tarifa out of your bucket list. It is also possible to take a
private kite surf lesson.
Enjoy some spectacular views from Mirador Estrecho
Once on top of the Mirador El Estrecho, located about 6 kilometres from the city centre, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view. From here you have a unique view of the African coast and the 851 meter high Jebel Musa, one of the classic columns of Hercules.
In ancient times it was thought that the Pillars of Hercules, Jebel Musa and Gibraltar marked the end of the world, by now we know better but from this special vantage point, you can easily imagine how people came up with this idea. Sounds exciting, right?
Search for whales and dolphin in Tarifa
While joining us for a
dolphin and whale watching tour in Tarifa you’ll have the opportunity to encounter 7 different cetacean species around the Strait of Gibraltar. You will be amazed by how many dolphins and whales you will see along the way. Come on board of our Jackelin or Pirata de Sálvora and enjoy whales and dolphins approaching the boat. Do you happen to be in Tarifa in July or August? During this special time of the year, it is possible to
see some killer whales during our whale-watching trips.
Whatever you decide to do during your trip to Tarifa, we promise you will love this part of Andalusia! Sunshine and a lot of fun are guaranteed! For any further tips or requests, feel free to contact us anytime.