Facing the Atlantic Ocean, African continent and Moroccan coastline, sun and sandy white beaches surround the stunning holiday destination of Tarifa on Spain’s famous Costa de la Luz, the most southern of all the Spanish Costas. A favorite of TA-DAH.TV, this is not only an amazing summer getaway but also an all-year-round sports destination with plenty of things to do for the whole family.
You will find adventurous activities for the thrill-seeker and water lover, as well as rustic beach bars for drinks and laughs with your friends. The Playa Los Lances is packed with everything you could ask for from a stay in Europe’s official surfing capital! Plus, with a wide selection of cool & comfy hotels, you are sure to find time to relax and unwind amidst the atmosphere of this vibrant Andalusian beach town.
Spain’s Costa de la Luz
Located within the provinces of Cadiz and Huelva, Spain’s Costa de la Luz is the most southern of all the Spanish Costas. Costa de la Luz simply translates to ‘Coast of Light’, aptly named as this area of Spain benefits from over 300 sunshine hours each year! East to West the Costa de la Luz expands from Tarifa over to the Taguas estuary along the Atlantic, bordering Portugal. This is an utterly beautiful part of Spain boasting a host of some of the country’s very best tourist attractions, including some of Spain’s best beaches. Some of its most famous beaches include:
Valdevaqueros Beach
Not far from the town of Tarifa sits the central spot for all things kitesurfing – Playa Valdevaqueros. This is a vast beach popular with the surfer gals and guys. The setting at Valdevaqueros beach is great for those seeking activities and a cool chill out spot to watch the sunset for a relaxing evening, after a busy day of hitting the waves.
Bolonia Beach
The beautiful Bolonia beach has views for miles. Thanks to its protected coastline keeping the coastline clear of large developments, only a few buildings surround this stunning beach. A long with the usual sunbathing and swimming, here you can take a horse ride a long the sea front or hike the dunes. Bolonia beach is truly a Spanish summer dream.
El Palmar Beach
Located near Vejer de la Frontera, El Palmar beach presents a ideal location for sunbathers and sand castle building, thanks to its beautiful white sand. During the day you will find the small selection of beach bars provide a great setting for some shade and easy flowing refreshments. In the evening, these bars will soon come alive with young DJs offering music to dance your worries away.
A Sporty Hotspot
Known as Europe’s surfing capital, Tarifa is a total hotspot for sport lovers, attracting sporting events and avid thrill seekers each year. The coastline of Tarifa is popular with those who love surfing, wingfoiling, kitesurfing, windsurfing, rock-climbing, scuba diving, and more! Thanks to the situation of Tarifa on the Straits of Gibraltar, the constant winds and sea conditions provide the perfect set-up for such activities and as a result, many water sport competitions are held in this small fishing town every year! If donning a wetsuit and hitting the waves isn’t your cup of tea (or Sangria!) there are plenty of dry activities to explore too. Being on the edge of Los Alcornocales National Park, Tarifa is ideally situated for Birdwatching, where you will be able to view the migration of hundreds of birds throughout the year. Alternatively, why not try horseback riding on the beach or rock-climbing in the nearby mountain ranges.
City breaks close to Tarifa
For a city break close to the beautiful beach town of Tarifa you could head towards Seville, Vejer, or Cadiz during your Spain vacation!
Soak in Spanish culture in Seville
For culture trippers, Seville is just over a 2-hour drive away from the southern Spanish coast. This lively city offers an array of incredible heritage, scenery, views, food, wine and more. You are guaranteed an absolutely amazing time here. Pick your tourist spots from, the famous cathedral, the Alcázar Palace and gardens, Las Setas, or the world-famous Plaza de Espana, quite apart from countless cool tapas bars and rooftop hangouts.
Taste real Spanish cuisine in Vejer
Foodies rejoice – Vejer de la Frontera is a truly food-oriented city! Here you can escape from the bustling Costas but still enjoy seafood fresh from the morning’s catch. The people of Vejer take the Spanish cuisine seriously, so why not indulge? Whether you prefer fine dining or neighborhood tapas bars, there is a seat at a table for anyone here. Nestled just inland from the Costa de la Luz, this stunning city is also a feast for the eyes, as the blinding white buildings stand bold against the blue skies and hills – a truly authentic Spanish holiday spot. Visit TA-DAH.TV’s travel section to find them covering one of Annie B’s famous food & cooking tours, the ‘Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Cádiz’, when there’s never a glass of Sherry too far away…particularly during the cooking class.
Wander the streets of Cadiz
Many people have fallen in love with the city of Cadiz. Rich in history, the skinny cobbled streets of this hugely important harbor town can be wandered as you breathe in the rich smells of Spanish food, cultural influences of all the invaders of the past, together with the salty air blowing off the sea. Many an invasion by foreign cultures has left its mark on this historic city, which in so many ways has remained true to its roots. Perfect for a visit all year round thanks to the many sunny days Southern Spain are blessed with. This city can be reached easily both from Seville and Gibraltar.
