Capital of Kitesurfing

There aren’t that many places where the wind blows as reliably and strongly as it does around this fishing village at the southernmost tip of Spain. Well, in fact, it hasn’t been a village for long. Today, it’s more like a busy hub for surfing tourism all year round.

Tarifa is located in one of the windiest areas in Europe. Hotels in the area have names such as Hotel Hurricane or El Palacio del Viento. Some even call the place the “Kitesurfing Capital of Europe.” It certainly has a unique setting, sitting at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar with the Moroccan coast in the distance.

The beaches of Los Lances and Valdevaqueros are the central spots for surfing action. These stretches are surrounded by beach bars such as Tangano, Tumbao and Waves. The surfer hangout vibe there makes for an interesting contrast to the clichéd middle-class beach resort.

Over the last decades, surfing tourism has become an important economic factor for the region. There are plenty of surf schools, rental shops and small cafés throughout the town. Many local jobs are related to the surfing business, either directly or indirectly.

The strong winds are caused by the region’s topography. The elevated terrain on either side of the Strait of Gibraltar accelerates the wind. It creates the violent gusts that put Tarifa on the map of surfing enthusiasts.