Tarifa

Tarifa is the southernmost city in continental Europe, located at the point where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. From its shores, the African coast is visible — on clear days, the mountains of Morocco appear close enough to seem within reach. The Strait of Gibraltar at this point is only 14 kilometers wide.The city has been strategically significant since antiquity. Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, and Umayyads all left their mark here. Its name derives from Tarif ibn Malluk, the Berber commander who led the first Muslim reconnaissance mission to the Iberian Peninsula in 710 — a year before the full conquest began.Tarifa is also known as the wind capital of Europe. The constant winds from both the Atlantic and Mediterranean make it one of the top destinations in the world for kitesurfing and windsurfing. This gives the city a distinct atmosphere — a mix of ancient history and a relaxed, outdoor-oriented culture.The old town is compact and well preserved, surrounded by its medieval walls. Outside the walls, the coastline stretches toward both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

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