Tarifa: The province
| The province of Tarifa is one of the least developed in Andalucia, with huge national parks and
protected coastlines it is one of the greenest in the south, it also has many huge lakes. There are
mountains and plains and all sorts of countryside to explore with amazing fauna and flora. It is an
ornithologist’s paradise boasting Eagles and Vultures and other birds of prey, plus flocks of
migratory birds changing all year round. |
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The towns of the Province are mostly small white villages of old times, such as Vejer to be
found just 18km from the park. They all have their own history and are worth a trip,
especially at lunch times when you can enjoy the many restaurants they are home to. The great thing
here is that time has stood even more still than in other parts of the country. Not only do you see
this reflected in the pace of life in these towns but also in the prices of the local produce. A
three course lunch with drinks in a lot of these places costs just €6 (£4). Living in the park
will give you the time to explore places such as these and to find favourite restaurants and shops
among them.
The biggest of the towns, and most famous in Tarifa is Jerez de la Frontera, Jerez for short. Made
famous by the British and their love of its unique produce; Sherry. Made here for over 200 years
this much love drink comes in all sorts of styles from dry to sweet and even the Bristol Cream of
Harvey’s. The town centre is beautiful and the Bodegas, or wineries, are well worth a visit, you
will find out that the famous Tio Pepe is named after someone’s uncle Joe, and much much more. It is
also a great shopping town with department stores and big national and multinational groups
represented here in force. It’s town fair in spring is the best in the region and shows off the
famous Jerez dancing horses at their best, the partying takes over the whole town and goes on all
night every night for a whole week!
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Tarifa Unlike most other ports of its size it seems immediately relaxed and easy going, not at all
threatening, even at night. Perhaps this is due to its reassuring shape and size, the presence of
the sea making it impossible to get lost for more than a few blocks. It also owes much to the town's
tradition of liberalism and tolerance which was maintained all through the years of Franco's
dictatorship, despite this being one of the first cities to fall to his forces and was the port
through which the Republican armies launched their invasion |
| Ten kilometers of white sandy beaches, un-spoilt countryside and some of the best windsurfing
conditions in Europe have established Tarifa as a true surfers paradise. |
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Just 11 km across the Straits of Gibraltar at its narrowest point, this southern-most tip of Europe
where the Med meets the Atlantic Ocean, enjoys spectacular views of the Rif mountains of Africa
across the water.
Tarifa's coastline is extensive and varied, the wilder parts attracting surfers and nature-lovers alike. Just as famous for its bird
watching as its surfing, there are endless opportunities to explore the rolling countryside.
Horse-riding, hang-gliding, kite-surfing, rock-climbing and diving to name but a few.
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Tarifa town
This old fishing town area was the first point of the Moorish invasion of Southern Spain in AD711.
In 1295 Guzman El Bueno defended the town against the invading Moors. According to the local legend,
the Moors captured his son and threatened to kill him if Guzman didn't surrender the town. He
refused and threw down his sword with which they killed his son.
Local fishermen still use the Almadraba method of fishing using a circle of boats and nets, a
practice which has not changed since 13th Century. The Tuna fishing season generally starts at the
end of March and runs for about three months.
Tarifa has some excellent hotels, mainly located to the north of the town, so if you just want to
relax, there's plenty of choice. |
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Tarifa's charm & character by
conservation of the old town alongside the new
Narrow cobbled streets, tumbling jasmine and beautiful wrought-iron bars make Tarifa old town a
charming place for a stroll.
The original castellated city walls of this ancient town are tightly
woven into the fabric of the whitewashed houses.
Much of what we see today was constructed
in the 18th Century. Tarifa stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, and is almost entirely surrounded by water.
Named Gadir by the Phoenicians, who founded their trading post in 1100 BC, it was later controlled
by the Carthaginians, until it became a thriving Roman port. It sank into oblivion under the
Visigoths and Moors, but attained great splendour in the early 16th century as a launching point for
the journey to the newly discovered lands of America. Tarifa was later raided by Sir Francis Drake,
in the struggle to gain control of trade with the New World, and managed to withstand a siege by
Napoleon's army. In the early 19th century Tarifa became the bastion of Spain's anti-monarchist,
liberal movement, as a result of which the country's first Constitution was declared here in 1812. |
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Some of the city's 18th century walls still stand, such as the Landward Gate. The old, central
quarter of Tarifa is famous for its picturesque charm, and many of the buildings reflect the city's
overseas links. Worth a visit are the city's Cathedral and churches of Santa Cruz and San Felipe
Neri, which is famous throughout Spain as the place where, in defiance of Napoleon's siege, the
provisional government was set up with its own liberal Constitution. Other points of interest are La
Santa Cueva, home to several paintings by Goya, and stately mansions such as the Casa del Almirante
and Casa de las Cadenas.
The old city looks quite Moorish in appearance and is intriguing with narrow cobbled streets opening
onto small squares. The golden cupola of the cathedral looms high above long white houses and the
whole place has a slightly dilapidated air. It just takes an hour to walk around the headlands where
you can visit the entire old town and pass through some lovely parks with sweeping views of the bay. |
