Things to do in Tarifa
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La Trattoria
The Alameda is lined with restaurants and cafes. First-class food and efficient service make La Trattoria one of the best and busiest Italian eateries in town.
reviewed
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Cafe Zumo
This convivial little place near the castle is popular for its juices, light meals, and soups. Magazines and books add to the attraction.
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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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Terrace Restaurant
This casual beachfront restaurant at the Hurricane Hotel is good for an economical lunch (various salads, hamburgers, chicken, local fish, steaks). In the evenings the hotel's interior restaurant, with candle-lit tables by the pool in summer, prepares creative meals, including very good salads (try the Italian salad), and main dishes such as lamb chops with garlic and rosemary.
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Café Azul
This little Italian-owned place packs ’em in every day for Tarifa’s best breakfasts. The muesli, fruit salad and yoghurt is large and tasty, or choose one of the excellent crêpes. There’s good coffee, juices and shakes, plus bocadillos (filled rolls) and cakes.
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Aventura Marina
Diving in Andalucía is generally done from boats around the Isla de las Palomas. Shipwrecks, corals, dolphins, octopuses and more await you. There are a few dive companies in Tarifa - try Aventura Marina, which offers Discover Scuba Diving courses (three hours).
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Ali Baba
The popular Ali Baba, with benches and stand-up tables outside, serves cheap, filling and tasty Arabic food made with lovely fresh ingredients. Vegetarians can enjoy excellent falafel while carnivores might like to tuck in to the tasty kebabs.
reviewed
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Bamboo
The best of both worlds on the Alameda, Bamboo does great breakfasts plus shakes and smoothies in the morning, and hosts cocktails, music and DJs at night. Decor is Tarifa eclectic (sofas and pouffes) and clientele is surfer cool.
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Chiringuito Tangana
Next to Spin Out on the beach, this place serves up pies, lasagne, savoury pastries and bocadillos (sandwiches). Chill to the beat on the grass or relax on the Moroccan carpets on the floor of the glassed-in patio.
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Restaurante La Olla
Set portside, La Olla is the place to come for paella and seafood (you can breathe it in through the door). Try the arroz negro (black rice) made with squid. There’s also a breakfast buffet and wi-fi.
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Hurricane Hípica
On Playa de los Lances, Hurricane Hípica rents out well-kept horses with excellent guides. An hour’s beach ride costs €30. Three- or four-hour inland rides are €70.
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Café Central
This café is the prime location for people-watching, delicious churros con chocolate (fingers of doughnut dipped into a cup of hot chocolate) and a large range of breakfasts and teas.
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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.
reviewed
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Café del Mar
Top of the late and cool list, though oddly located, this Ibiza-inspired place includes a couple of bars and a nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) restaurant, and a nightclub with resident house DJs.
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Aventura Ecuestre
On Playa de los Lances, Aventura Ecuestre rents out well-kept horses with excellent guides. An hour’s beach ride costs €30. Three- or four-hour inland rides are €70.
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La Jaima
In summer, this Moroccan tent arrangement pops up on the beach near the edge of town. From 19:00 to 22:00 it's an Islamic-style tearoom but, come midnight, disco sounds take over.
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Mandrágora
Follow the ‘listed in Lonely Planet’ sign to this intimate place with its Moroccan-Arabic-inspired menu. Try the fruity lamb tagine or monkfish in a wild mushroom sauce.
reviewed
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Bar Obaïnano
No longer in the old town, this place continues to serve fresh juices and exotic cocktails to a cheerful background beat. It's popular with French travellers.
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Club Mistral
Hurricane ( [tel] 956 68 90 98; Hurricane Hotel, N340 Km78); Valdevaqueros ( [tel] 619 340913; Cortijo Valdevaqueros, Ensenada de Valdevaqueros, N340 Km75)
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Soul Café
Italian-owned bar-club Soul Café has good cocktails and international music: you may hear guest DJs from Milan play their stuff.
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Bar Almedina
Built into the old city walls, this place has a cavernous feel and squeezes a flamenco ensemble into its clamorous confines every Thursday at 10.30pm.
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Bodega La Casa Amarilla
With an attractive, flowery patio, this is a top place in town for local grilled meats and fish, good revueltos and tapas.
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