The southernmost town of continental Europe, Tarifa faces Morocco across a Strait of Gibraltar about 14 km wide. The Levante and Poniente winds blow most days of the year, which made it Europe's kitesurfing and windsurfing hub. Beaches such as Valdevaqueros and Los Lances run for kilometres along the Atlantic side, a walled old town sits behind them, and ferries to Tangier leave from the port. The town takes its name from Tarif ibn Malik, the commander who led a raid here in 710. Castile took it in 1292, and its castle was the scene of the 1294 siege in which Guzmán el Bueno let his son be killed rather than surrender.
Nights sit around 15°C and afternoons around 20°C, though some nights drop to 11°C.
The year in Tarifa moves gently: summer afternoons sit around 28°C, winter ones around 17°C.
Some summer days reach 32°C, and some winter nights drop to 9°C.
Most of the rain falls in winter, least in summer. In December it rains about 10 days in 30; in July, 0.
Air quality is worth watching: August averages an AQI of 58, while December clears to 37.
Days stretch to about 14.4 hours of light in June and shrink to 9.6 in December — something to weigh if you work to a fixed timezone.
For what you're after, the best months in Tarifa are June – September. Expect fast internet (238 Mbps) and a high cost of living (about €1700 a month).
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