TARIFA  COSTA DEL SOL

To stand on the Punta de Tarifa is to be at the southern-most point of Europe, with the coast of the African continent only 14km away. Located on the fringe of the Costa del Sol, Tarifa has a totally different flavour about it which in itself makes a visit worthwhile.

The town has played an important role in the history of the Iberian peninsula. It was named after Tarif lbn Malik, the Moorish leader who in 710 arrived here from North Africa with a small band of men and took possession of the area. This led to the larger invasion which took place the following year and the subsequent Moorish conquest of most of present-day Spain Tarifa was taken by the Christians in 1292 but the siege was maintained for the next couple of years.

Entrance to the town, which is encircled by walls, is through a Moorish gate With its dazzling white houses and maze of narrow, winding streets, Tarifa retains a distinctive Moorish look. The port offers a good view of the old Moorish castle above the town, which is in the hands of the Spanish Navy and not open to the public. Tarifa is blessed by a long expanse of sandy beach backed by pine trees. This marks the meeting point of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic and the strong winds which sweep across the sand create excellent conditions for windsurfing in the bay. The place has now become a top centre for the sport, with competitions attracting an international crowd.