Of all the towns on the Costa de la Luz, Tarifa is known as the wind city and for having within its area some of the most beautiful beaches in Cádiz and in Andalusia as a whole. Renowned among surfers, Tarifa attracts water sports lovers every year thanks to the strong levante and poniente winds, which here create the ideal setting for surfing, kite surfing and any sport that thrives on the combination of wind and sea. If you have read our article on the things to do in Tarifa, you will know that, in addition to the lovely old town with its castles and an important archaeological site overlooking the sea just a few miles away, Tarifa offers visitors a good number of beaches to choose from and miles of fine sand beside crystal-clear sea… the view of Morocco then makes it all unique.
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The beaches of Tarifa
Remember that the wind is the real star of practically all the beaches in Tarifa, so I’d recommend checking the weather conditions to choose the least windy one that day. Below you’ll find a list of all the wind-free beaches in Tarifa and those instead best suited to water sports. Enjoy reading!
Playa Chica
Playa Chica is located practically at the start of the promenade towards Isla de Palomas. Being fairly sheltered, it is considered one of the best wind-free beaches in Tarifa: I recommend you head there so you can tell your friends you sunbathed and went for a swim on the southernmost Mediterranean beach in Europe! If there is a westerly wind, this is the ideal beach for enjoying a swim in calm waters. The beach is perfect for swimming and diving and, only in winter, for windsurfing. It is not large enough for kitesurfing. The presence of several rocks does not allow for surfing.
Tips on where to stay in central Tarifa
Playa de Los Lances
Playa de Los Lances is a 0.6 miles-long beach of fine white sand. Windy like the other beaches in Tarifa, it is loved by water sports enthusiasts but also by families with children, for whom there are areas with swings and a handy wooden promenade boardwalk. The beach is easy to reach on foot from the centre of Tarifa or, if you are driving, there are several car parks along the beach. If you want to get away from the centre, which is generally more crowded, the beach stretches for several miles, reachable by car or by shuttle from Tarifa bus station. Remember that windsurfing and kitesurfing are prohibited in summer on this beach, whereas from September to June you can enjoy these sports without a care. The surf area is on the side of Isla de las Palomas.
All available accommodation near the beach
Playa Rio Jara
Playa Rio Jara is located beyond Tarifa’s football pitch and stretches as far as the Rio Jara river. The beach has a special feature: at high tide, near the river, a lagoon with water about 50 centimetres deep is formed. This lagoon is ideal for those learning kitesurfing and for anyone who enjoys walking in the water or simply making the most of the shallow water. As with Playa de Los Lances, water sports are not allowed in July and August, while for the rest of the year this is a beach much frequented by sports enthusiasts. There is also a nature park with a protected area, and it is not difficult to spot rare birds flying peacefully overhead.
All available accommodation in the area around the beach
Playa Dos Mares
Playa Dos Mares is situated 3.1 miles from Tarifa and is famous because the large car park is practically right next to the beach. Throughout the year it is possible to enjoy kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing on this beach. There is a school that hires out the equipment needed for surfing, and there are showers and toilets available for those on the beach.
Playa Arte Vida
Playa Arte Vida is located 3.7 miles from Tarifa and is enhanced by an engaging atmosphere created by music and places to relax and have fun. In the pinewood there is a barbecue area, which is especially used at weekends by bathers. Weather permitting, it is always possible to surf, windsurf and kitesurf at Playa Arte Vida. In addition, you can hire kitesurf or windsurf equipment here and book lessons to learn. Nearby there is also a large car park and the charming Hotel Arte Vida, facing the beach itself, which I recommend for an overnight stay in the area.
Playa de Valdevaqueros
Playa de Valdevaqueros is another splendid beach on the Costa de la Luz. White sand dunes stretch for miles. Clay stones characterise the beach, which is very popular with sports enthusiasts and surfers. For those who want to learn or at least try their hand, there are several places where you can hire equipment or book a lesson. In the distance, on clear days, you can see the African coast. The beach is easy to reach both by car and by bus from Tarifa bus station (service available only in the summer months). There are showers, toilets and chiringuitos where you can enjoy something to eat or drink during the day.
Accommodation available near the beach
Playa Bolonia
Playa Bolonia is among the most popular in Tarifa, as well as unquestionably one of the best things to do on the Costa de la Luz. Tall sand dunes, a wild setting, crystal-clear sea and… cows on the beach: these features mean that Bolonia is often described as one of the most beautiful beaches in Andalusia and Spain.
Playa Bolonia is also renowned for being close to the archaeological site with the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia and for the presence of a nudist beach in part of the area. It is among the furthest from the centre of Tarifa, so I recommend getting there by car. It is 15.5 miles from Tarifa in the direction of Cádiz. In summer, as for Playa de Valdevaqueros, there is a shuttle connecting the town with the various beaches: in the case of Bolonia the service is operated by Horizonte Sur (July-August). By car, however, you can reach it in about 25 minutes by taking the N-340 and then exiting onto the CA-8202.
