Moving to Tarifa
Today we head over to the southeastern part of Spain, and specifically moving to Tarifa. This is the latest article from Matthew Hirtes. If there are areas of Spain that you would like us to feature… drop us an email to info@spainbuddy.com or leave a comment below
Tarifa – Spain’s windy city
Ups
If you’ve ever looked at Wikipedia, you’ll realize that Chicago was dubbed the Windy City because of the hot air blowing out of the mouth of its politicians rather than any actual gusts. But Andalucia’s Tarifa is genuinely the beneficiary of not-such-a-gentle breeze. Making it a favourite with surfers and windsurfers alike, along with people happy to part with cash for “Tafira does blow” T-shirts.
Downs
The levante can get to you. Which makes Tarifa’s greatest strength its greatest weakness too.
In and out
This stretch of the Costa de la Luz is best reached from Gibraltar, Jerez, and Seville airports. Gibraltar (GIB) is a 45-minute drive whilst Jerez (XRY) is roughly double that. Seville (SVQ), meanwhile, is the furthest away, the AP-4 and A-381 combo taking you just over two hours.
Education
You’re more likely to find a local international kitesurfing school in Tarifa than private school catering for the offspring of expats. Which should give you some indication regardubg the number of expats living in the area. Although, it’s an well-established tourist destination, particularly with German travellers.
Shop until you drop…
Check out the old town’s Zero Gravity for dedicated followers of fashion with a budget. For hippy chic chicas and chicos, head to ZAS Tarifa. And if you want to look the part as a surfer, make sure you visit the main street of Batalla del Salado where the majority of the surf shops are located.
Property types
Most people have heard of Tarifa. So, properties here tend to be more expensive than more anonymous locations nearby. Nevertheless, there’s no danger, you’d feel, of them ever reaching Marbella price tags.
Market watch
Apartments, €60.000+. Villas, up to €2,000.000.000.
In Praise Of
“Tarifa’s the last stop on continental Europe and that’s made it a hideaway for many. Although the busy season is just that, you can be quiet here. The wide open space of the Strait and the views of the African coast make it feel like living on the page of an atlas.” Robin Graham (a lot of wind)
• Are you an expat in Tarifa? What do you like/dislike about it? Let us know below.
Matthew Hirtes, our resident broadsheet journalist, moved to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria back in 2004. He’s travelled extensively through Spain, covering it for such publications as Telegraph Travel, Metro, and The Independent. The author of Going Local in Gran Canaria: How To Turn a Holiday Destination into a Home, Matthew truly is a resident expert.
Matthew writes for two sections of Spain Buddy: Moving to Spain and Spanish Football as well as providing Reviews
Disclaimer
Some of the links on this website may contain an affiliate link. It costs you no more to use one of these links, but we may receive a small payment for you doing so.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Information correct at time of publication.
robingraham
January 7, 2014 @ 10:18 am
My town. This is a very good run down for anybody considering Tarifa as a potential home. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough but people should bear in mind that it doesn’t win on practicality on just about any score. Just about anywhere on the Costa del Sol would be much more convenient in terms of infrastructure, getting kids into school, shopping etc. Choosing Tarifa was a decision of ours that I would describe as romantic and a little stubborn. It’s a bit out of the way but incredibly beautiful.
Elle Draper
January 7, 2014 @ 10:28 am
I agree Robin. We all want different things from different areas which is why Spain is great – it has something for everyone. The infrastructure would always be very low on my personal list – just one of the reasons we live up a mountain and not on the Costa. But then we don’t have kids living with us, and work for ourselves. Tarifa sounds great – and we will definitely visit (fancy meeting up for food and wine Robin?), although I think the wind would put me off considering it as a future home.
Thanks for taking the time to provide some inpout and also leave a comment, Robin – and congratulations again on winning the Blog of The Month
Elle x
robingraham
January 7, 2014 @ 10:35 am
Uncanny, Elle – food and wine both happen to feature in my Top Five list of favourite things. There’s no need to go into the other three here. So yes, anytime you’re in town.
Elle Draper
January 7, 2014 @ 10:41 am
Well… without knowing what the other 3 are… I won’t be volunteering ;)
Cheers Robin! x
Matthew Hirtes
January 8, 2014 @ 11:25 am
Thanks, Robin. I couldn’t have written it without your input. We visited Tarifa when we went to see my brother who was working in Gibraltar at the time. I’m definitely keen on getting reacquainted.
Garry Sheen
March 3, 2023 @ 6:39 pm
Big thanks to Robin and Matthew for their thoughts and insight on Tarifa.
My hubby and I will be visiting during our coastal Andalucían road trip in March. From what I’ve read on one forum, Tarifa isn’t the place to live, for anyone “the wrong side of 50”!!- whatever the “wrong side, is”! Anyhow, based on this, we’re now packing our sensible shoes, walking frames and ensuring that our life insurance is up to date😂. But hey, despite having more behind than in front, in terms of age, we’re very much looking forward to experiencing Tarifa!
Elle Draper
March 3, 2023 @ 7:11 pm
He he. To be fair… I always see those age limits/barriers as a challenge anyway! I’m 51 (hubby’s 59) and we very very happily mix and mingle with the 30-somethings without raising any eyebrows
Have fun!
e xx