wakeupstokedTarifa is commonly known as the kitesurf mecca of Europe which has wind almost year round, a lively nightlife and lots of no-wind-activities. While it took me some time – and a second trip – to get to know Tarifa better, I would honestly say it doesn’t have the best kite conditions in the world. But the atmosphere, vibes and lifestyle it offers is very unique in Europe and attracts not only kitesurf addicts.
Pros & Cons for kitesurfing in Tarifa
+ laid-back surf vibes, nice restaurants & bars
+ variety of kitesurf spots and kitesurf conditions
+ cute town, vivid nightlife, nice lifestyle
+ lots of no-wind-activities
+ reasonable costs of living during low/mid-season
+ hotspot for digital nomadsduring low/mid-season
– need a car to get to most spots
– very crowded during high season (July – early Sept)
– you always need a wetsuit/shorty except for the hot summer months
General Infos for Tarifa, Spain (Wind, Water Temperature and Water Condition)
When to go – Best Wind in Tarifa: April – October
The best wind is from April – October but end of June – early September are veeery crowded! If you are planning to stay for longer you can basically kite year-round but will have some non-windy periods inbetween.
Water Temperature Tarifa:
long wetsuit (4/3) in spring, autumn, winter, shorty during summer (although I usually even kite most days in an 4/3). The wind direction Poniente is always colder, with Levante the wind is much warmer (the wind directions are explained below in the arrticle as well 😉 ) Some people prefer a 5/4 for the winter Poniente sessions.
Wind speed/kite sizes for Tarifa:
Anything from 0 – 40+ kts 😉 With wind direction Levante you get anything around 15 – 40+ kts, with wind direction Poniente you have lighter wind with around 10 – 25 kts, so best is to bring all the sizes you have.
Water Condition: flat, choppy, waves (depending on spot)
Beginner friendly?
How to get to Tarifa, Spain
You can fly to Malaga (AGP), which I always found the cheapest flights to, and then drive a little less than 2 hours to Tarifa. The closest airport is Gibraltar (GIB) which belongs to the UK and is just a 45 min drive to Tarifa.
How to get to and around Tarifa, Spain
Option 1: get your own rental car
I’d go for a rental car since you always need to drive to the spots. It used to be super cheap but since C hit the prices have skyrocketed so make sure to book ahead. I always book my rental car via billiger mietwagen (German Site, you can cancel up to 24 hrs before) or Rental Cars (International Site).
I made the experience that it’s sometimes significantly cheaper if you rent a car for 3 weeks, then bring it back again and rent a new one for 3 weeks. If you fly to Gibraltar (which is UK), make sure to check the rental car prices at La Linea (Spain), which is just a 5-minute walk from Gibraltar airport and sometimes cheaper.
Option 2: bus
There are a few direct buses running from Malaga to Tarifa and many other buses that run from Malaga to Algeciras, then you can catch another bus Algeciras to Tarifa or just take a taxi for the last 35 min. Schedules changed a lot during the lockdowns but I think everything picked up back to normal, in any case just check it online to make sure which buses currently run.
Option 3: use car sharing
If you don’t want to rent a car check out Tarifa Car Share for sharing rides e.g. to and from the airport. You can also check the car sharing app blablacar, usually you can find rides from Algeciras to Malaga (Tarifa – Malaga is less common but you might be lucky during the main season). A little word of warning though: on blablacar the drivers tend to cancel last-minute so it can be a bit of a bargain, I have almost lost my flight once and heard of many people who had happening the same. Also I have sent the drivers pics of my kite luggage and all the measurements, asking beforehand if they could fit it, they said yes and once I arrived they left me standing there because they couldn’t fit it. So it’s best to book for more people on the app so you make sure your kite luggage fits 😉
Option 4: use a taxi
During the C phase I mostly used taxis because there was almost no car sharing available and I couldn’t bother with the hassle of getting my blablacar canceled. Prices vary quite a lot, it is around 140 Euros (on the toll-free road, they ask you if you want to use the toll road which is 20 Euros more and a bit quicker and less roundabouts/curves). I booked it beforehand (there are multiple taxi services posting in the facebook group Tarifa Community Noticeboard) so I don’t know what they would charge you if you would just rock up at the airport and took a taxi there.
Wind directions in Tarifa, Spain
Levante
Levante is the infamous, sometimes gusty and strong offshore wind (around 20 – 40/ 50 knots) you might know from kitesurf videos, the kind of wind that can drive you crazy. Overall it’s wind quality is not as good as Poniente but it is my favorite one as the ocean is calmer, the water has this beautiful turquoise color most days 😉
Poniente
Coming from West from the Atlantic, Poniente is more light or moderate wind (and more cold as well) and is pretty steady, the kind of wind you’ll prefer for your kitesurf sessions if you’re not into strong wind (inbetween 10 – 25 knots). The water is also much more wavy and choppy.
Kitesurf spots in and around Tarifa, Spain
If you get confused by the detailed spot selection, here is a simple guideline to get you started: you’ll mainly be kiting inbetween Arte Vida (4) and Los Lances (7) with Poniente and on Valdevaqueros with Levante 🙂
At some spots you are officially forbidden to kite in summer which is from 15.06. until 15.09.
1. Bolonia
wind: Levante and Poniente
level: all levels
NOTE: forbidden to kite here in summer from 15.6. until 15.9., usually a windsurf spot, waves during winter time
2. Punta Paloma and 3. Valdevaqueros
wind: Levante and Poniente
level: all levels
NOTE: Valdevaqueros can get very crowded as also a lot of beginners/not so experienced kitesurfers go there. With Levante it can sometimes be ultra gusty close to shore depending on the direction, so you might first have to fight your way out and then kite better further outside.
4. Arte Vida
wind: Poniente
level: intermediate (for waves, there is rocks close to shore)
NOTE: forbidden to kite here in summer from 15.6. until 15.9.
5. Los Lances Norte / Agua / Waves
wind: Levante and Poniente
level: all levels
NOTE: also just called Agua or Waves after the beach bars 😉
6. Rio Jara
wind: Levante and Poniente
level: all levels
NOTE: offshore wind with Levante, get a rescue card
Currently the bridge is broken so you have to walk through the river, just keep that in mind when there is a lot of water in the lagoon.
7. Los Lances (La Jaima)
wind: Poniente
level: all levels
NOTE: forbidden to kite here in summer from 15.6. until 15.9.
8. Balneario
wind: Levante and Poniente
Level: pros only
good for: Freestyle (Levante)
NOTE: this spot is only for pro kitesurfers, no rescue boats. There has been lots of discussions in the local groups so unless you are an expert rider and catch a super early morning where there are little people, don’t go to this spot
Kitesurf spots close to Tarifa, Spain
Los Caños de Meca
wind: works with strong Levante
level: intermediate – expert
NOTE: forbidden to kite here in summer, wind is lighter than in Tarifa so you need strong Levante
Getares
wind: works with strong Levante
level: intermediate – expert
NOTE: forbidden to kite here in summer, strong current, big shore break, wind is lighter than in Tarifa
Palmones
wind: ideal when the Levante is too strong as it is a bit lighter here, a lot of kite schools go here
level: all levels
NOTE: forbidden to kite here in summer (but you will still see kiters 😉 )
Sotogrande
wind: works with strong Levante
level: intermediate – expert
good for: Freeride/Wave
NOTE: forbidden to kite here in summer
Live wind meters for kitesurfers in Tarifa, Spain
There are various live wind meters and apps around as well as cameras. One thing to keep in mind is that the live wind meters are not always accurate, depending on the wind direction and where they are positioned. The best is to check the spot on your first days with both Levante and Poniente and then work out if the wind is stronger.
In Valdevaqueros for example some days have almost no wind on shore and a lot outside. Same goes for Los Lances.
The best live wind meters for Tarifa
- K Wind App: has many wind meters around Tarifa, you can save the favorites to your app and easily compare all the wind stations, that’s the main one I personally use.
- Windguru has two live wind meters in Tarifa, Campo de Futbol and Valdevaqueros
- Spotfav: has many live video cameras installed around Tarifa, you have a short period where you can watch for free once you created an account but if you are around for longer it totally pays off to pay the subscription.
Accommodation in Tarifa, Spain
Since I’d recommend getting a car for Tarifa to visit all the spots it doesn’t matter so much where you stay, there are plenty of apartment options – we stayed in an airbnb apartment.
There are two accommodations I can really recommend because the hosts are just amazing
- Akitenesshouse by my friends Vanessa and Axel, who are such passionate hosts, kitesurfers and love to share their knowledge for Tarifa. Each room has a different interior and topic (like Greece, Vietnam etc).
- Girls Love Boards by the awesome Bianca who not only kites in the craziest conditions but is also such a warm, welcoming host who loves to connect their guests and give them all the best infos for Tarifa. Her house is right next to the Puerta de Jerez, the center of Tarifa
Long-term Accommodation in Tarifa, Spain
For finding Accommodation long-term (a month or longer) check out these Facebook groups Tarifa Room Mate and Properties for Rent & Sale Tarifa. Although these are usually only options during lower season (October – March), from April – September it is hard to find cheaper long-term deals as hosts prefer short-stay and charge accordingly.
The best Restaurants and Cafés in Tarifa, Spain
The best Restaurants and Cafés in Tarifa, SpainBreakfast and Cafés in Tarifa
They are sorted as if you were walking from the beach towards Tarifa town 😉 Please note there are so many amazing cafés I couldn’t fit them in here so keep exploring on your own and let me know if you found a new favorite besides the ones I mentioned
- Element café small and cozy with good vibes, great for breakfast and lunch
- Brio lots of vegan/vegetarian options, they make the best cappuccino with plant-based milk, yummy sweet vegan mains, tapas and desserts, also open in the evenings
- Surla since day one a favorite. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Bonjour the new health shack in town with yummy healthy dishes and daily specials
- Cafe Azul great breakfast/brunch place, indoor seating
- Numero C one of the best coffees in town, lost of vegan options on the menu, breakfast/brunch place)
- Cafe 10 yummy stuff as well, like the green juice, outdoor sitting space and a few seats inside
- Andrea’s cafe great for breakfast, Acai bowls, yummy healthy sweets and coffee
Cafés/Restaurants around Tarifa
Cafés/Restaurants around Tarifa(outside of Tarifa, on the way to the kite spots if driving towards Agua and Valdevaqueros)
- PowerHouse super yummy breakfast and lunch options, a must-try! just outside of town, worth driving there even if you don’t kite 😉 Now also open for dinner with a different menu
- Ozu Bar yummy healthy options, just know that the food here might take a bit of a longer wait but it is well worth it 🙂 open all day
Restaurants in Tarifa
- Bar El Frances one of my absolute favorites, we can never decide what to take so simply order a few dishes and share them all 😉
- BoccaBuena one of my absolute favorites number 2
- Silos 19 same owner as El Frances so the menu is similar, the location is super fancy and worth visiting
- Mic Moc healthy food options
- No. 6 Cocina Sencilla
- Chilimosa yummy vegetarian food
- Bendita Comida cute location, small but yummy menu, vegan options avaiable
Supermarkets and organic stores in Tarifa
Supermarkets in Tarifa
Mercadona is my favorite with a big selection but Super Sol and Lidl offer a big selection as well. Note that the only supermarket open on Sundays until 2pm is this Dia. (During lower season, in the summer months almost all supermarkets open also on Sundays). There are many more smaller supermarkets and minimarkets spread around Tarifa.
Organic/Eco stores in Tarifa
- Biomio nice selection, you can also preorder various breads, even keto bread, and if you have special desires check with them they might be able to order it for you. She usually gets fresh veggies/fruits on Tuesday and Saturday morning
- La Biobodeguita small but nice selection, I love their loose tea selection
- Tarifa Natural usually for bigger quantities but they have nice fruit and vegetable as well, if you want to buy big quantities of nuts/dried fruits/spices etc this is the place to go, they have other organic stuff as well
- El Olivo nice selection of organic cleaning products, products for the body etc, less food stuff.
- Gluten Free Bakery for those of you dealing with gluten intolerance, check out this bakery.
No wind activities in Tarifa, Spain
So many! Surfing, yoga, beach volleyball, hiking/climbing, whale watching, mountain biking, running on the beach or promenade, outdoor “gyms” on the beach promenade, go shopping in Tarifa town and get lost in all those cute little boutiques, enjoy the good food and tapas (usually happens here around 8/9pm), partying (parties start here around 11/12 pm).
Gyms and Yoga Studios in Tarifa, Spain
Gyms in Tarifa, Spain
- On Tarifa fitness (gym & group classes like Pump, Gluteboom, GAP, Yoga etc)
- New Concept Tarifa (gym, Cross fit-oriented)
- BB Studio lots of different Barre, Dance and Ballet Classes
- El Patio a bit outside of Tarifa around Rio Jara, a nice Crossfit option and chilled vibes
Yoga in Tarifa, Spain
- Yoga with Alizee in Wild House (a bit outside of Tarifa in a magical location, contact her for the schedule) and on the rooftop of Hostal Africa (a beautiful hotel in the old town)
- Hostal Africa offers a beautiful mix of yoga teachers and styles on the rooftop, nestled in the old town. You can check their schedule on Instagram, they also have meditation classes and wellness weekends. Their “sister hotel” Casa Africa also has a yoga space and in case of rain classes are often moved from Hostal Africa rooftop to Casa Africa.
- Mandalablue yoga
- Mama Tierra Spanish classes with various yoga styles and Pilates
- Asociación Holistica Respira (Spanish and English Classes, Acro Yoga available, find them on Instagram here)
- there are a lot of new studios opening so make sure to keep your eyes open while you are in Tarifa 🙂
Conscious Events in Tarifa: Breathwork, Astrology, Gatherings
- Transformative breathwork sessions with me, Miriam, the founder of this blog 😉 Find the latest instagram or check out my instagram @sparkyourfire__ for updates
- Astrology readings and moon ceremonies with the lovely Vanessa @astrohappyness
- Tarot readings and Gatherings with again, another lovely Vanessa @blossom.to.be
Day trips from Tarifa, Spain
How about a trip to Vejer de la Frontera, Sevilla, Cádiz, Gibraltar (UK) or even to Tangier, Morocco (a 30-min-ferry ride which is actually an hour from door to door) or Chefchaouen, Morocco – the blue town (ferry ride to Tangier and 2 hr drive from there, then it’s ideal to stay for a night or longer). There is plenty to see around Tarifa and depending on the drive you are willing to make in one day there is much to explore.
Digital Nomad guide for Tarifa, Spain
While it wasn’t the best kite conditions I ever had, it definitely had the perfect combination of Digital Nomad lifestyle paired with kitesurfing, a healthy lifestyle while also having a good nightlife – so an ideal spot if you’re staying longer and don’t mind if you don’t kite every day. So the overall package Tarifa offers is pretty unique. I loved Tarifa’s vibe, it’s one of the towns where you feel at home instantly.
Since this was my very first trip as a kitesurfing Digital Nomad, the connections I made in Tarifa connected my to other kitesurfing Digital Nomads all over the world which I still keep meeting know wherever the wind blows. So it’s definitely a good starting point if you want to get in touch with the whole scene. Now I love coming back and seeing the scene grow and grow, both with kitesurfing and non-kitesurfing Digital Nomads.
Coworking Spaces in Tarifa, Spain
- bsharing half way from the old town to the industrial zone and to be honest my favorite one 🙂 Opened in 2023, the interior is super nice, you have call booths you can book yourself in so unlike other Coworking spaces you don’t have people the whole time on the phone next to you 😉 Booking the spaces works super flexibly with their website. You can pick your table, book a minimum of 4 hours and done. If you need a call booth you simply first book your space, then the call booth.
- TAF Coworking close to the industrial zone, parking spaces close by available. I haven’t been there yet, they are a bit pricier then the other Coworkings but also look nice.
- Tarifa Garage Coworking (in the poligono/industrial zone, parking around is available)
- La Cocotera Coworking Hostel (in the old town, no parking close by)
Coworking Cafes in Tarifa, Spain
There are many cafes that you could potentially work from if you don’t need suuuper fast wifi but be aware that many cafes are small and don’t have many seats so it is a given that you consume appropriately if you do work there and don’t come in the rush hour 😉 I liked Pueblo Nomada, Brio, Element Cafe, Café Del Mar in Tarifa, Tangana is a Cafe/restaurant right at the kitesurf spot in Valdevaqueros (around 7 km outside of town).
One note on Coworking in Cafes: some spaces are quite small and some people spend their whole day with one coffee in a cafe blocking the table 😉 Please have the decency to move if you feel like the cafe is getting super full or at least order a meal.
Mobile Internet (Sim Card)
I got a Vodafone Sim Card in Spain as I wanted the one with the biggest data package but I guess Orange and Movistar are just as fine, you can find it in Tarifa town itself. Providers have new packages and offers every year so when I arrive I just check who has the best package, this year (2022) Vodafone again had a nice deal with 120GB for 20 Euro.
Tip: Depending on where you move around in Tarifa your network might switch to Moroccan network which can become veeeery costly if your phone is switched to roaming. Make sure that if you use your European Sim Card in Tarifa with Roaming you either talk to your provider first to change your roaming to Europe only or you manually change it in the settings so that it only connects e.g. to Vodafone ES or Movistar. [For iPhone go to Settings > Cellular Network > Switch Automatic off and manually pick your network provider]
Further useful links for Digital Nomads in Tarifa
- Facebook Group Tarifa Digital Nomads (they have started also various whatsapp groups for digital nomads e.g. a general group, kitesurf group, hiking group etc which I am not sharing here as loads of spammers enter 😉 but you can simply ask in that facebook group for the link)
- Facebook Group Tarifa Community Noticeboard for general questions on Tarifa, where to find certain things/activities etc, very active
- For finding Accommodation long-term check out the Facebook groups Tarifa Room Mate and Properties for Rent & Sale Tarifa. You can also try to get a better deal on airbnb, some hosts are open to it during lower season which is usually from October to March.
- Tarifa Car Share for sharing rides e.g. to the airport. You can also check blablacar, usually you can find rides from Algeciras to Malaga (Tarifa – Malaga is less common but you might be lucky during main season).
- Tarifa Guide for Digital Nomads by WebWorkTravel
- Tarifa Guide by UK Digital Nomad James (not a kitesurfer but good infos about Tarifa for Digital Nomads)
Digital Nomad Events in Tarifa
Join the Facebook Group Tarifa Digital Nomads and the whatsapp groups for spontaneous meetups and events. once you join the Facebook group above you can ask for the Whatsapp groups, there is one for kitesurfing digital nomads in tarifa, a general one for digital nomads and then also other groups for coworking, hiking, yoga etc.
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