*Disclaimer: this is a sponsored post, but all thoughts, opinions and plans are my own.*

The longer I spend in Spain and learning about Spain, the more my curiosity and desire to visit every corner of Spain grows. Did you know the southern half of the country used to be ruled by the Moors? It’s a huge part of why all those stunning, white-washed Andalusian towns are so charming. Everyone knows about Seville, Granada and Malaga, but nobody seems to be talking about the city that just popped up on my radar: Tarifa.

Tarifa is a small coastal city in Cadiz, the southernmost region in mainland Spain. Though I’d never heard of it (oops!), turns out its an ideal place for kitesurfing, relaxing and soaking in a bit of history. I’m adding Tarifa to my list of cities to visit in the coming year! In the meantime, I’ve compiled my research on what to do there!

Kitesurf

Because of its location and proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa’s main beach, Playa Norte, is constantly windy, making it the perfect place for kitesurfing. I’ve never been, but seeing the pictures of kitesurfers on the beach, it looks like a lot of fun! Plus, the folks over at Radikite Kitesurf School in Tarifa are right on the beach. They offer private, semiprivate and group lessons on kitesurfing, hydrofoil and surfing lessons as well! *Not gonna lie, I know I’m not a daredevil enough for the hydrofoil, but I’ll try kitesurfing!*

Tarifa is actually known as one of the most popular kitesurfing locations in Europe. People go visit just to kitesurf and many spend their summers there, in the water.

Relaxing & Enjoying Nature

While all that wind is great for kitesurfing, it may not always be ideal for laying out on the beach. No worries! Tarifa also has some amazing bird-watching and whale-watching. Birds migrate across the Strait of Gibraltar in spring and fall and whales and dolphins live there year-round. You can also spend time on Playa Chica, a small beach facing southeast, protected from the winds.

If you – like me – need a bit more physical activity, you can always explore Parque Natural del Estrecho, the National Park of the Strait. Hiking trails abound, and you can even end up at the Mirador del Estrecho, a viewpoint of the Strait of Gibraltar!

History

Like many of Spain’s southern cities, Tarifa has a very back-and-forth history. It has been claimed by many throughout the years, and has ruins to prove it. Just north of the beach, you can visit Baelo Claudia, an ancient Roman town that is now mostly ruins. Within Tarifa city you can visit Tarifa Castle. Also known as the Castle of Guzman el Bueno, the castle was originally built by a Moorish caliph before being taken over by Spain.

I asked a friend of mine if he’d ever been to Tarifa and he just chuckled, as if to say, duh! It’s a very popular place to visit amongst people of the south of Spain and now it’s another city on my growing list of places to visit. When I do go, I’ll pop over to Radikite kitesurf school in Tarifa and add that to my list of accomplishments too!

Have you ever been to Tarifa? Any other recommendations?