The Sunny Tarifa
Tarifa used to be until the 1980s just a quiet village that became famous in Spain for something very unusual: a very high suicide rate thought to be provoked by the unremitting winds that sometimes seem to take the control over the entire Tarifa. Nowadays, what spreads between the old Moorish walls is a very prosperous and popular tourist resort that became the first option for those who want to practice windsurfing in Europe.
All year round dozens of windsurfing competitions are held here and the main street is packed with shops that offer rental equipment for all types of pockets; this is the reason why so many of Tarifa’s visitors are people who love windsurfing.
Tarifa and its attractions
If the reason why you decide to visit Tarifa is not windsurfing, don’t worry about getting bored, because it is definitely not the case. Many of those who visit Tarifa love to wander along the appealing, crumbling ramparts and to enjoy the wonderful views over the sea. The beautiful network of lanes surrounding the outstanding San Mateo Church is another big attraction of Tarifa; the Church displays a beautiful Baroque architectural style dating back to the 15th century and it occupies one of the main spots on the sightseeing list in Tarifa.
If sightseeing is something that attracts you, also visit the Guzman Castle, the place where many fights were given for the power over Tarifa, especially during the Moors. A very popular entertainment option in Tarifa is quite new, but extremely interesting: the dolphin and whale spotting. Tourists can choose a beautiful excursion that takes them to the amazing Strait of Gibraltar, as many ships leave daily form the picturesque harbor. However, you should know that this is a very popular entertainment opportunity, so you have to book places much in advance in order to make sure that you don’t miss the excursion.
Useful information
Paseo la Alameda is the avenue where you will find the tourism office; visitors can be helped with maps of the town and its main attractions, as well as with information regarding the accommodation possibilities and the best places for trying the local cuisine. For example, you can try the Cadiz sea bream (known by Spaniards as urta) at the Hostal Villanueva or the Platos combinados serves at the Restaurante Alameda. Visit Tarifa during one of your Spanish holidays; I am sure that you will have a few memorable days there!