| Casa de la Luz Tarifa, Spain |
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Situated at the southern most tip of Spain, Tarifa has always been caught
between Europe and Africa. It is where the Mediterranean and Atlantic
meet, creating the constant Levante wind for which Tarifa is famous.
Standing on the city walls on a clear day you can see the houses in
Morroco, just 14 miles away. Tarifa is a mix of its Spanish and Moorish
heritage. The house is on the street going through the puerta de Jerez, a
Moorish door in the city walls. The castle of Guzman el Bueno is the
same one from where Guzman refused to give up his son in exchange for
surrendering the city; he threw down his own knife for the besiegers to
use in the killing.
Windsurfers discovered Tarifa many years ago and the original
laid-back feeling still prevails. Walking through the old walled town with
its cobbled streets and white-washed walls you will meet a mix of locals,
surfers and artists. Mass tourism has been kept at bay by catering for a
more discerning independent market with none of the mass building
typical of the Costa del Sol. Many of the locals are still fishermen and you
can see their brightly coloured boats at the small fishing port.Tarifa is
surrounded by natural parks and the beaches remain wild and unspoilt.
Typically you start off your day with a coffee at a local bar; toast with olive
oil and tomatoes being the traditional breakfast. Then wander through the
cobbled streets to go to the market to buy fresh locally produced fruit and
vegetables.
Afternoons are spent outdoors whether on the water or in the countryside.
There are many water-sport schools including windsurfing and
kitesurfing. There are many schools so whether you are beginner or an
experienced surfer, try out the sport for which Tarifa is famous. The
straits of Gibraltar have always been a strategic and historical point
offering many opportunities for diving. Well organized outdoor activity
centres cater for mountain-biking, climbing or horse-riding. Bird-watchers
will find themselves in a privileged situation, Tarifa is on the main
migratory path between Europe and Africa. Depending on the time of
year you can see Honey buzzards, kites, vultures and storks as well as
many other species in the stunning natural parks which surround Tarifa.
For those looking to learn Spanish, Tarifa has its own language school.
Evenings are for chilling out on the terrace, drinking an aperitif whilst
preparing the barbeque or before going on to eat tapas or try fresh fish
cooked according to Spanish or North African recipes.
between Europe and Africa. It is where the Mediterranean and Atlantic
meet, creating the constant Levante wind for which Tarifa is famous.
Standing on the city walls on a clear day you can see the houses in
Morroco, just 14 miles away. Tarifa is a mix of its Spanish and Moorish
heritage. The house is on the street going through the puerta de Jerez, a
Moorish door in the city walls. The castle of Guzman el Bueno is the
same one from where Guzman refused to give up his son in exchange for
surrendering the city; he threw down his own knife for the besiegers to
use in the killing.
Windsurfers discovered Tarifa many years ago and the original
laid-back feeling still prevails. Walking through the old walled town with
its cobbled streets and white-washed walls you will meet a mix of locals,
surfers and artists. Mass tourism has been kept at bay by catering for a
more discerning independent market with none of the mass building
typical of the Costa del Sol. Many of the locals are still fishermen and you
can see their brightly coloured boats at the small fishing port.Tarifa is
surrounded by natural parks and the beaches remain wild and unspoilt.
Typically you start off your day with a coffee at a local bar; toast with olive
oil and tomatoes being the traditional breakfast. Then wander through the
cobbled streets to go to the market to buy fresh locally produced fruit and
vegetables.
Afternoons are spent outdoors whether on the water or in the countryside.
There are many water-sport schools including windsurfing and
kitesurfing. There are many schools so whether you are beginner or an
experienced surfer, try out the sport for which Tarifa is famous. The
straits of Gibraltar have always been a strategic and historical point
offering many opportunities for diving. Well organized outdoor activity
centres cater for mountain-biking, climbing or horse-riding. Bird-watchers
will find themselves in a privileged situation, Tarifa is on the main
migratory path between Europe and Africa. Depending on the time of
year you can see Honey buzzards, kites, vultures and storks as well as
many other species in the stunning natural parks which surround Tarifa.
For those looking to learn Spanish, Tarifa has its own language school.
Evenings are for chilling out on the terrace, drinking an aperitif whilst
preparing the barbeque or before going on to eat tapas or try fresh fish
cooked according to Spanish or North African recipes.
Tarifa is also conveniently placed for day-trips to Cadiz, Seville and
Ronda. Vejer de la Frontera and the outdoor contemporary art center,
Montenmedio NMAC, are a 30 minute drive. From the small fishing port
you can take a ferry and be in Tangiers in 35 minutes.
When summer arrives party-goers from all over Europe arrive to make the
most of the open-air clubs on the beach and the atmosphere changes
during the months of July and August making it an ideal location for those
who want to party all night and recuperate on the golden beaches with a
view of Africa the next day. Fortunately, despite being in the centre, our
house is not situated next to any bars or clubs.
The rest of the year, Tarifa remains a forgotten corner of Andalucia
surrounded by stunning natural parks.
Ronda. Vejer de la Frontera and the outdoor contemporary art center,
Montenmedio NMAC, are a 30 minute drive. From the small fishing port
you can take a ferry and be in Tangiers in 35 minutes.
When summer arrives party-goers from all over Europe arrive to make the
most of the open-air clubs on the beach and the atmosphere changes
during the months of July and August making it an ideal location for those
who want to party all night and recuperate on the golden beaches with a
view of Africa the next day. Fortunately, despite being in the centre, our
house is not situated next to any bars or clubs.
The rest of the year, Tarifa remains a forgotten corner of Andalucia
surrounded by stunning natural parks.
