Tarifa

Tarifa is the most southern city in Spain and Western Europe, 14 km from Africa, so in good weather you can see the coast and mountains with the naked eye (see photo on the left).

The name of the settlement came from the Arabic term Al Yazirat Tarif, meaning Tarif Island. In 711, General Tarik organized an expedition with 400 muslims and conquered the Andalusian coast without any problems, then successfully proceeded to the interior of the Iberian Peninsula.

The wind is almost always blowing here, which is why it is also loved by kite people, special tourism has been organized for it. A lot of people of older age can see walking on the sand on the long beach. Tarifa is not visited by tourists looking for luxury, but rather by young people and families from the area who love the hippie feeling. The prices of restaurants and beach bars (chirinquitoes) are quite high, with many already packing cooler bags to sunbathe on the beach.

Heading from Tarifa to Algeciras on the main road there is a lookout point up the hill where many wind turbines also stand. It is definitely worth stopping here because the view of Africa is unconsciously beautiful.