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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Europe
- Spain
- Costa de la Luz
- Tarifa
Tarifa
The Spanish holiday destination of Tarifa is ideally located on
the border of the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz, near the
Strait of Gibraltar and a short ferry ride away from the exotic
Moroccan city of Tangier. The popular beach resort town is famed
for being the windsurfing capital of Europe: Atlantic winds create
ideal conditions and kite surfing is also growing in popularity
here, especially on the beaches of Playa Valdevaqueros and Playa
Los Lances.
Those who feel safer on land can try horseback riding, hiking,
dolphin and whale watching, cycling, rock climbing and some of the
region's best bird watching. The Moorish heritage of the area is
evident in the preserved Castillo de Guzman and holidaymakers
should visit the old part of the town to wander the narrow streets,
shop and enjoy one of the many great tapas restaurants. Don't
expect the madness and mayhem of places like Torremolinos, nor the
'chips with everything' style resorts; Tarifa is a charming beach
resort that offers a local Spanish flavour and plenty of
sunshine.
Information & Facts
Activities
Tarifa has ideal conditions for kite surfing, windsurfing, and
sailing, and you can try your hand at other aquatic activities like
surfing, scuba diving and whale watching. For those more
comfortable on land, there are opportunities for horseback riding,
bird watching, and visiting historic buildings and ruins. Tarifa
also has cheap and convenient ferries to Tangier for those who want
to experience the Moroccan souks.
Language
Spanish is the official language, but English is widely
understood in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and
Basque are spoken in the relevant areas.
Money
Spain's official currency is the Euro (EUR). One Euro is divided
into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at bureaux de change and
major hotels, but banks give the best rates. All major credit cards
and travellers cheques are widely accepted at most hotels,
restaurants, and shops. ATMs are widespread and are generally the
cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining money.
Negatives
Tarifa is a very windy holiday resort, perfect for kite surfing
and windsurfing, but not ideal for those looking for relaxing days
on the beach.
Night Life
Tarifa's nightlife is constantly buzzing. The city's bars are
busy with the after-dinner crowd from 9am until 3am when they are
forced to close by law. Popular options include Bar Almedina, which
is set into the historic city wall, and the stylish Cafe del Mar
Tarifa. The clubs take over where the bars leave off, carrying on
until around 8am. These include the youth-oriented house venue Club
New Rif, the historic La Ruina, and the stylish Carpe Diem. Tarifa
attracts great live music as well, including Flamenco, samba, jazz,
and its own particular brand of hip hop. Many of the hotel bars
host live music performances.
Restaurants
Eating out in Tarifa is an adventure of Andalusian food, as the
city has a mix of traditional restaurants, tapas bars, and cafes in
addition to more cosmopolitan options like Italian, Moroccan, and
French eateries. For the most authentic experience, simply wander
through the old town and enjoy the local tapas and jerez (sherry).
Cafe Azul, Cafe Mogador, Casa Juan Luis and La Trattoria are a few
of Tarifa's most recommended eateries for holiday visitors, or try
the hidden gem of Quattro Esquinas.
Shopping
When it's time for shopping in Tarifa there are a fair amount of
many options to choose from, but many of the shops lack variety.
The old town has a number of small boutiques and a multitude of
surf shops selling all the latest name brands. The old town also
has an indoor market where you can by fresh produce and other food
including the catch, or catches, of the day in the outdoor area.
The modern market on Tuesday mornings, it stocks tourist souvenirs,
artwork, handicrafts and ceramics. You'll find many Tarifa
souvenirs echo the region's Moorish heritage, with Moroccan lamps,
pillows, shoes and linens all being popular gifts.
Time
Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March
and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). The Canary
Islands: GMT (GMT +1 in summer).