On Spain's southernmost tip and overlooking the Straights of Gibraltar is the historic,
picturesque town of Tarifa. Here, in 710 AD, the Moors began their fight for
control of Andalusia. And here, in 1294 AD, a legendary battle contributed
to the Moors being driven from what today is Spain and Europe.
Tarifa is a small, laid-back, welcoming town with a unique beauty. Its' narrow calles are
lined with white buildings housing small shops, cafes and homes. The Moorish influence
adds to the town's allure as do the flowers, citrus trees and palms found throughout.
Not being on popular tourist trails it is a get-away spot for Europeans, though it
isn't overrun. Many visitors are windsurfers who visit to face the challenges posed
by the Levante (Easterly) and Poniente (Westerly) offshore winds.
Meandering casually along Tarifa's calles, pausing for a cafe y tarta, chatting with
locals and sitting, gazing across the waters toward the mountainous African coast can
be captivating. Thoughts drift, imagining life in another culture, at another time.
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| From Tarifa's Mirador-del-Estrecho, the view across the Strait of Gibraltar to North Africa's Rif Mountains is breathtaking. Here, at the Strait's narrowest point, the distance to Morocco is 10 mi.. |
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| In Plaza de Santa Maria, pristine whitewashed buildings encircle a public garden where citrus trees, palms, an azulejo decorated fountain and benches offer a perfect spot to laze in Old World ambience. |
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| Bougainvillea, ancient entries, meandering calles ... Es Perfecto ! |
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| Small, unique shops line the narrow, cobbled lanes of Old Tarifa. |
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| The local grocer, el tendero, still serves the neighborhood. |
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| At the Mercado Publico, a huge variety of freshly caught fish are sold. |
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| For centuries colorful fishing boats docked at Tarifa where tuna is still the popular catch. |
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