When looking for accommodation in this area, you will come across names such as Hotel Hurricane, El Palacio del Viento and Hostal El Levante. Wind conditions are obviously a thing in this region. Its epicenter, the coastal town of Tarifa, has been dubbed the “Kitesurfing Capital of Europe”.
Kitesurfing Capital of Europe
Tarifa is located at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, right at the eastern end of its Atlantic coast, on the Strait of Gibraltar. Over the years it has become a major hub for the international kitesurfing community. Its main spots, Los Lances and Valdevaqueros beaches, are served by a number of surf schools and beach bars. Well-known hotspots of the surfer community are Tangano, Tumbao and Waves Chiringuitos. If you are looking for a change from the mainstream beach tourism, these places offer an interesting contrast.
The region’s strongest wind is the infamous Levante, a hot and dry easterly known for its violent gusts. It is mainly caused by the difference in pressure between the Mediterranean and Atlantic sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. The topography also plays a part. As the wind passes through the Strait, it is deflected by the high terrain on either side, increasing its speed, a mechanism known as the Venturi effect.
