Let me share with you this special Tarifa beach getaway, back when I celebrated my 30th birthday surrounded by serene landscapes and people I love.

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Planning a Tarifa Beach Getaway

Where is Tarifa

There are many things I can tell you about Tarifa, as it’s one of my favorite travel destinations in Spain. Tarifa is a popular coastal town in Southern Spain, knowns for endless white sands and lots of adventurous travel experiences on the Iberian Peninsula. Tarifa makes for an easy day trip from Cadiz, or even Malaga or Seville.

While Tarifa may not have iconic historical landmarks, it is renowned for its unique geographical location on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, right at the Strait of Gibraltar. While enjoying your holiday in Spain, you can also see the African continent across the water, which is one of my favorite things about Tarifa’s landscapes. Beyond its long sandy beaches, Tarifa is famous for its winds, which attract kite surfers and windsurfers from all over the world. Although the waters in Tarifa are quite chilly (compared to the Balearic Islands), it remains a popular destination for beach holidays in Spain.

How to get to Tarifa

Although the best way to get to Tarifa is by car, and I often recommend including it on any Southern Spain road trip itinerary, this small beach town is also connected by bus to Cadiz, Malaga, and Seville.

beautiful tarifa
Bolonia beach

Is Tarifa Beach Getaway worth it?

The photos in this article are from my third Tarifa beach getaway. I first visited this small Spanish beach town when I was 16, learning Spanish at one of the language schools in Marbella. The trip was organized, so I couldn’t explore Tarifa independently. But it definitely left a mark on me, and I secretly dreamed of returning one day. My second visit to Tarifa happened only a few years ago, while traveling to the Algarve in Portugal. My most recent visit was around my 30th birthday, so Tarifa was one of the places I considered for celebrating it (along with my favorite spot in the Spanish Pyrenees).

Tarifa is definitely worth visiting, even though it wouldn’t be my first pick for a lazy beach holiday. Tarifa is more about unique nature, morning walks along endless white sand beaches with Africa in the backdrop, hiking at Parque Natural Los Alcornocales, a pretty whitewashed small town with hipster vibes, surf shops, trendy cafes, and, of course, adventurous activities like kite surfing and whale watching. Also, Tarifa is very popular for its ferry connection to Morocco, where you can visit North Africa for just a day. This was also one of the day trips I had planned, but unfortunately, one of my kids got sick, so we decided not to leave Spain just in case.

tarifa views spain
Views from the Castle of Tarifa
tarifa castle spain
Castle of Tarifa
tarifa church
Church of San Mateo

Best time to visit Tarifa

Tarifa in the summer is bursting with life, but in the off-season, this small town offers the perfect atmosphere to slow down and reconnect with your inner self. While most cafes and shops open only during the summer months, the stunning natural surroundings remain beautiful year-round.

During my first visit to Tarifa in the summer, I loved the energy, but on this recent beach getaway, I focused on experiencing the off-season charm and walking around almost entirely on my own. In the summer, temperatures typically reach around 30°C (86°F), while in the off-season, they are milder, ranging from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). My last trip to Tarifa was in February; although it wasn’t ideal beach weather and it was quite windy, Tarifa still felt like a perfect winter sun destination.

Top Things To See and Do in Tarifa

Wander around Tarifa’s Old Town

We started our day in Tarifa from the city center. You can stop by the Tarifa Tourist Office at Paseo de la Alameda to pick up a free map. Tarifa’s fortified walls, cobblestone streets, and picturesque buildings create a relaxing atmosphere that truly gets under your skin. It’s like a unique and fascinating blend of Europe and Africa. If you visit Tarifa in the summer, you’ll find plenty of hidden hipster cafes and surfer shops, while in the off-season, the town is quieter and more charming.

Don’t miss the Castle of Guzmán el Bueno. Originally a Moorish fortress built in 960 AD, it was later conquered by the Christians. After our walk, we had lunch at a local restaurant, La Pescadería, where I tried what was probably the best tuna I’ve ever had in my life.

Locals claim the best tuna season is between May and June. Usually, in mid-June, there’s a local celebration called the Tuna Route, where bars and restaurants compete to create the best tuna-based tapas. Hopefully, next time my travel dates will overlap with this event so I can share my impressions with you.

tarifa vacation
Tarifa Town Hall
tarifa streets
visiting tarifa
holidays tarifa

Explore Tarifa Beaches

Tarifa’s wide, white sand beaches are some of the most otherworldly and beautiful landscapes in Spain. I simply can’t get enough. The white sand dunes reminded me of Formentera (which I visited during my 5 days in Lanzarote), and the crystal-clear waters could easily rival those of Ibiza, Formentera, and Mallorca (even though not as calm). The water at Tarifa’s beaches is definitely refreshing, even in the summer months, with temperatures around 64°F (18°C). So, I made sure to enjoy a few revitalizing dips during my first visit in the summer.

  • Las Lances
  • Valdevaqueros
  • Bolonia (here you´ll also find Baelo Claudia, one of the top Roman Ruins in Spain)
  • Zahara de los Atunes

Since this Tarifa beach getaway took place in winter, we almost had the local beaches completely to ourselves. Plus, the views of Africa in the background have always given Tarifa an unmatched charm (especially since only 14 km separate this small beach town from Morocco). I’d even say I enjoyed the landscape in winter more. The endless, solitary white-sand beaches of Tarifa felt surreal.

morning in tarifa
Tarifa beach getaway – Los Lances beach
tarifa spain travel
Tarifa beach getaway – Los Lances beach
tarifa beach getaway spain
Tarifa beach getaway – Los Lances beach

Nature and hiking in Tarifa

Since our travel plans were made last minute, we only had one day for this Tarifa beach getaway. We mostly enjoyed a lovely walk at Los Lances and Duna de Bolonia. But next time, I’ll definitely plan to do some oceanside hikes as well.

If you want to combine beaches, views, and nature during your Tarifa getaway, there are plenty of trails you’ll love: Faro Camarinal, Duna de Bolonia, Colada de la Reginosa, La Peña, Los Lances, and Colada de la Costa. If you don’t mind leaving the Tarifa beaches for a while, there are even more options in the nearby Los Alcornocales National Park.

For those into active sports, Tarifa offers a lot. Some of the most adventurous activities in Spain can be found here: mountain biking, climbing, scuba diving, wingfoil, kitesurfing, SUP, and windsurfing.

Adventurous experiences to book in Tarifa

andalusia beach tarifa

Best Tarifa Views

After leaving the small town of Tarifa, we made a final stop at the spectacular Mirador del Estrecho lookout. But there are even more breathtaking viewpoints near Tarifa, such as Betijuelo, Pulido, and Cabo de Gracia.

I hope the pictures from my brief Tarifa beach getaway have inspired you to visit this charming Spanish town. I certainly plan to return soon and stay longer to explore the entire region, as well as try the day trip to Morocco. Spending my 30th birthday in such a stunning and unique natural setting was truly unforgettable. This Tarifa beach getaway made turning 30 extra special.

tarifa day trip spain
Mirador del Estrecho

Read more about Southern Spain:

  • An Epic 7-day Southern Spain Road Trip with Kids (read it)
  • One Day in Seville with Seville City Pass (read it)
  • Best time to visit Seville: My Perfect Seville Weekend (read it)
  • The Most Stunning Seville Gifts For All Occasions (read it)
  • 16 Best Places to visit in Andalusia (read it)
  • Top Things to see in Cadiz (read it)
  • Prettiest of Andalusia´s White Villages – Mojacar (read it)
  • Wild West Town experience in Almeria (read it)
  • The Ultimate Almeria Holiday Guide (read it)
  • Blue Smurfs Village of Juzcar in Andalusia (read it)
  • The Ultimate Itinerary for One Day in Cadiz (read it)

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tarifa beach getaway

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