"Tarifa - the city of the wind" a Tarifa (Cadiz) Travel Page by GibJoe

Many reviews I have ‘spied’ in VT of Tarifa are based on what Tarifa is mostly known – the capital of windsurf or the most windy city in Europe. Winds of 100km/h are not uncommon. Both of these statements are correct. But also Tarifa has a bit more to offer than just windsurfing. It is not a big city it has a population of 17,200, but it attracts masses of tourists every year. Due to its geographic location the mountains of Africa can be seen, Africa is only 14km from Tarifa. Also Tarifa is where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.

Tarifa history dates back to the Roman era, with the ruins of Baelo Claudia, it was under the control of the Arabs until 1292 when it was taken back by the Catholic King Sancho el Bravo (Sancho the brave). It was two years later that the Arab troops tried to take the city again and was defended by Guzman el Bueno. There is a legend that when the Arabs tried to retake Tarifa a son of Guzman el Bueno was travelling with them, and when Guzman el Bueno was threatened to hand the city back or that his son would be killed, it was Guzman el Bueno who threw his dagger at them and told them to kill his son.

Even though you may not like windsurfing, Tarifa is well worth a visit.

There are many hostals available in Tarifa as well as camping sites in the outskirts.