Tarifa Studios Getting to Tarifa Exploring Southern Spain

TarifaStudios Facebook TarifaStudios Blog

Getting There / Exploring

Getting to Tarifa

There are low cost flights into:

Gibraltar (e.g. Monarch, BA) - best to walk the 200mtrs across the ‘border’ with your luggage to avoid queues. There are a number of car rental options (e.g. CarJet) - head for Algeciras then Tarifa or take a 50 Euro taxi ride just after the border gate (44km/approx.45mins)

Malaga (e.g. EasyJet, BMIBaby) - lots of car rental options in airport (e.g. EasyCar, Avis and CarJet) and then just head South following signs for Cadiz then onto the AP-7 AutoPista heading South (140km/approx. 1hr 50mins & around 7 Euros toll).

Jerez (e.g Ryan Air) - options like Hertz and CarJet plus access to the AP-4 AutoPista (heading south towards Cadiz) then a pretty country route (N340) make this worth considering (125km/approx. 1hr 45mins & no toll)

NOTE: Car rental firms (especially the low cost ones) often charge locally for a full tank of fuel (called 'full to empty') - this isn't shown on their quote and can be twice the going rate. It is charged in advance even if you don't use the fuel)!!!

Exploring Tarifa & the Region

There is loads to do in and around Tarifa, for a start, try:

Los Lances Beach - you can walk South/East down to the gates of Isla de Tarifa (army base) and across to the tiny but sheltered Playa Chica, the harbour (see the FRS port web cam - updated every 5mins) and on to the lower end of the magnificent old town.

For a longer walk, head North/West along Los Lances, past the football ground, camping - paddling across the mouth of the Rio Jaro towards the Natural Park, Arte Vida, Dos Mares and even as far as the luxurious, world famous Hurricane Hotel.

Las Dunas is just a short drive or bike ride (approx. 10km) NW out of Tarifa along the N340 towards Cadiz. A massive set of sand dunes facing the lovely Valdevaqueros beach and backing onto a Natural Park that extends up to the Punta Paloma mountains.

Bolonia (signed left off N340 about 5km after Las Dunas) with its beautifully laid out Roman Ruins, pretty beach & famous mud is a must. Further down the N340 is Barbate (approx 40km North of Tarifa). This working Tuna fishing port, surrounded by great beaches and countryside, was the site of the battle of Trafalgar. Just round the coast is the stunning Canos de Meca beach.

In the opposite direction, North East out of Tarifa, Algeciras is the major town/city only 25km away by the N340 road over the winding hills above Tarifa. These are covered in stunning wind turbines & have great views of Morocco & the rock of Gibraltar, which is only another 20km away (but remember to park on the Spanish side and take your passport!).

Night Life - Out of Town

Tarifa is very relaxed and full of local interest but if you like to party it is VERY lively from mid July to end September - with the surf crowd packing the beaches by day and the bars & open air discos by night - often until well past dawn.

There so many bars and clubs in Tarifa, I dont think anyone knows where they all are and every year something new turns up. Here are a couple of out of the town venues to consider:

Serengueti Beach Bar - one of Tarifa's famous 'temporary' chinguitos, located in the beach of Los Lances in front of the Stadio du Footbol, right opposite La Tortuga I. Open spring and summer. Beach, music, live celebrations and concerts during the summer nights and one of the best sunset spots on the beach.

Café Del Mar - just a short walk past the new residential end of Tarifa, before the main junction with the N340 is our very latest addition - Café Del Mar, Tarifa. This world brand has brought us a touch of real class in a muge space with bar, restaurant and, of course, cool sounds (and some relatively high prices!).

Banti - a bit further out of town (you will need to get a lift / taxi), but very classy and worth a night out. Lots of space and soft furnishings and if you get too chilled, there is even aguest house, so you dont have to go home at all!!

Night Life - In the Old Town

The charming old walled town is very special. It is only a short walk from Los Lances beach at the end of Batalla del Salado - the main surf shop/boutique street. Enter via Puerta de Jerez and it runs all the way down to the harbour.

You will find dozens of shops, cafes & bars mixed in with churches, the town hall & residential properties - many with fascinating architecture dating back as far as the Moors:

Café Central - (lower end of old town on Sancho IV El Bravo, next to the beautiful San Mateo church) a traditional café/bar with excellent snacks/tapas (including veggie) and has been a great spot for people watching since 1894.

Misiana - (bottom of Calle de la Luz) quite expensive hotel / bar but very chic and lively, they do a wide range of teas & cocktails and always have great music.

La Tribu - small bar with surf videos, hot music, really good pizzas and relaxed atmosphere (Calle de la Luz)

Silos Gallery - at the top end of the old town, this is a working gallery full of great art - check out the Silos Gallery web site for opening times & special exhibitions.

Chilimosa- this veggie hideout at the top of Calle de La Luz (sharp right just after the Puerta de Jerez) is probably the worlds smallest 'cafe'. You can take away but the food is so good and the place is just so calm that it is worth squeezing in. 100% veggie, 100% karma - good, simple food with a smile.

To view maps in full size click here or on the maps below.

You can use the AA Route Planner site to get full details.

From Malaga or Gibraltar, the final 25km section, after Algeciras is a relatively steep, two way road with lots of bends, huge wind turbines and stunning views of the Straits & Africa … SO DO TAKE EXTRA CARE!!!

Valdevaqueros Beach /Las Dunas.

Puerta de Jerez - main entrance to the old town (from top end).

View along Los Lances beach, Tarifa, Andalucia, Southern Spain.

Tarifa Studios