Tarifa - provincia de Cádiz- M3 2025

Tarifa is the southernmost town in mainland Spain, located in the province of Cádiz at the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, just across the Strait of Gibraltar from North Africa. Its vernacular architecture is characterised by whitewashed houses, narrow winding streets, and traditional Andalusian buildings reflecting its Moorish heritage. Significant landmarks include the Castle of Guzmán el Bueno, the Puerta de Jerez, and the Church of San Mateo. The surrounding countryside supports cattle grazing, cork oak forests, olive groves, and small-scale agriculture, alongside fishing and tuna fisheries. Tarifa stands out from similar coastal towns because of its unique position between two seas and two continents, its exceptional wind conditions that make it one of Europe’s premier destinations for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and its well-preserved medieval old town

Tarifa is another town that we had overlooked. We hadn’t visited for more than 20 years, but returned this year and were pleasantly surprised. Once you get past the surf shops and the bus station, and enter the old town through the Puerta de Jerez, Tarifa reveals its true character. Its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and centuries of history make it a fascinating place to explore. We found ourselves wondering why we had left it so long before returning.