Sights in Tarifa
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Castillo de Guzmán
Originally built in 960 on the orders of Cordoban caliph Abd ar-Rahman III, this fortress is named after the Reconquista hero Guzmán El Bueno. In 1294, when threatened with the death of his captured son unless he surrendered the castle to attacking Islamic forces, El Bueno threw down his own dagger for the deed to be done. Guzmán’s descendants later became the Duques de Medina Sidonia, one of Spain’s most powerful families. You’ll need to buy tickets for the fortress at the tourist office.
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Mirador El Estrecho
Climb the stairs at the end of Calle Coronel Moscardó and go left on Calle Aljaranda to reach the Mirador El Estrecho atop part of the castle walls, with spectacular views across to Africa.
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Estación Ornitológica de Tarifa
The volunteer-staffed Estación Ornitológica de Tarifa provides lots of information on the area's birds.
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Whale-Watching
The Strait of Gibraltar is a top site for viewing whales and dolphins. Killer whales visit in July and August, huge sperm and fin whales lurk here from spring to autumn, and pilot whales and three types of dolphin stay all year. Several organisations in Tarifa run daily two- to 2½-hour boat trips to observe these marine mammals, and most offer a free second trip if you don't at least see dolphins. Most trips cost €30/20 for over/under 14 years; special 3½-hour killer-whale trips in July and August are around €40/25. At holiday times you may need to book two or three days ahead. If the strait is too rough, the boats may head for the Bahía de Algeciras with its groups of do…
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Old Town
A wander round the old town's narrow streets, which are of mainly Islamic origin, is an appetiser for Morocco. The Mudéjar Puerta de Jerez was built after the Reconquista. Look in at the small but action-packed market before wending your way to the mainly 15th-century Iglesia de San Mateo. South of the church, the Mirador El Estrecho, atop part of the castle walls, has spectacular views across to Africa, located only 14km away.
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Beaches
On the isthmus leading out to Isla de las Palomas, tiny Playa Chica lives up to its name. Spectacular Playa de los Lances is a different matter, stretching northwest for 10km to the huge sand dune at Ensenada de Valdevaqueros.
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