At 36 degrees latitude Tarifa is the southernmost point of Continental Europe, facing Morocco on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar, that is only about 14km wide here


Tarifa got its present name after the attack of Tarif ibn Malik in 710, a Berber military commander. The town got fortified starting from the 10th century on but was conquered by the troops of Sancho IV of Castile during the Reconquista in 1292.


During the Napoleonic Peninsular War Tarifa was besieged by French troops in 1810 and again in 1811. In both cases the town was defended by British troops from Gibraltar as the Spanish and British were allies against the French.



As the region of Tarifa has strong winds throughout the year, the town is known as a very popular destination for wind- and kite surfers.