Journal

Stories from
Tarifa

Is Tarifa Worth Visiting? An Honest Answer.

It's windy. It's remote. The nearest airport is ninety minutes away. So why do people who come once keep coming back? Here is an honest assessment of what Tarifa is, and what it isn't.

The Alchemist and Tarifa: The Town That Inspired Paulo Coelho

Millions have read The Alchemist without knowing that its opening pages are set in a real town at the tip of Spain. Tarifa is where Santiago the shepherd begins his journey — and where many readers eventually come to find what drew him here.

Things to Do in Tarifa: A Local's Guide

Europe's southernmost town is far more than a kitesurfing destination. Here is what to do, eat, explore and experience in one of Spain's most singular places.

Kitesurfing in Tarifa: Everything You Need to Know

Why does every serious kitesurfer eventually end up in Tarifa? The wind, the water, the infrastructure — and something harder to name. A complete guide for first-timers and returning riders.

Whale Watching in Tarifa: What to Expect

The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the best places in Europe to see whales and dolphins in the wild. Here is when to go, what you will see, and how to make the most of it.

Getting to Tarifa: Airports, Transfers and Travel Tips

Tarifa has no train station and no airport of its own. But it is easier to reach than you might think. Here is how to get here from the UK and beyond.

The Almadraba: Tarifa's Ancient Bluefin Hunt

Every spring, tens of thousands of Atlantic bluefin tuna funnel through the Strait of Gibraltar on their ancient migration. For over three thousand years, the people of Tarifa have been waiting for them.

Castillo de Santa Catalina: The Castle That Isn't

It looks like a medieval castle from the beach. Look closer and the story gets stranger — and more interesting. Perched on the hill between Tarifa's old town and the sea, the Castillo de Santa Catalina is not quite what it appears.

Stories fromTarifa