Cádiz | Tarifa

THE Mecca for kitesurfers

Reaching out into the sea, the southernmost point in Europe and the closest point to Africa, Tarifa is one of the coastal towns with the greatest tourist renown, having become an authentic Mecca for kitesurfers.

Besides its numerous prehistoric remains (such as the naturalistic paintings in the Moro Cave, and the necropolis at Los Algarbes), there are not only Phoenician remains on the Island of Las Palomas but also remains from the Roman period, with the archaeologically important town of Baelo Claudia, considered the most important find in the province.

Called Al-Yazirat Tarif (Tarif Island) by the Muslims, this was an important strategic point as frontier zone, stronghold against pirate forays and military site opposite the English occupied Gibraltar It is possible to see two separate sections of the town walls from the dating from the 10th-16th centuries: the first section is from the Islamic period and surrounded a smaller area whilst the second surrounds almost the entire historic centre. This is where the Iglesia Mayor of San Mateo, that of San Francisco and Santa María Church are to be found.

Its idyllic, extensive beaches beaten by the winds from the east make Tarifa a cult centre for fans of water sports, such as paddlesurf, kite-surfing, fly-surfin or diving, to name but a few.

Beyond Playa Chica, Los Lances and Valdevaqueros, we come upon Bolonia Beach, a wild, huge dune with areas reserved for nudists. El Cañuelo is a beach with natural surroundings, spectacular vegetation, and crystal-clear water, which can be reached from the Camarinal Lighthouse. Los Alemanes beach stretches from the La Plata Cape to Gracia Cape. Finally, Atlanterra is the continuation of Zahara de los Atunes.

The borough extends across four different protected natural areas: the Los Alcornocales natural park, El Estrecho Natural Park, the Los Lances Beach Beauty Spot –an area where many birds come together going to and from the crossing at the Strait of Gibraltar- and the Natural Monument of the Bolonia Dune, which is more than 30 metres high and is situated on the Punta Camarinal isthmus, on the southern Atlantic coast of Cadiz.

BIRDS, CETACEANS AND CASTLES

BIRDS AND CETACEANS
The Campo de Gibraltar area and the Tarifa coast are one of the main European enclaves for bird and cetacean watching. This is thanks to their close proximity to Africa, and the Strait of Gibraltar: where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. A visit to the Cetacean Interpretation Centre is a must see, where you can board a guided tour to see the mammals.

GUZMAN EL BUENO´S CASTLE
Dating from the 10th-15th centuries, this is one of the local jewels, the fortress was ordered to be built by Abderramán III it is currently well preserved with a historical Interpretation Centre inside.