A Digital Nomad Guide to Tarifa

Tarifa Visa

The requirements to enter Spain depend on the country of residence of each individual, the length of stay and the reason for the trip.

As part of the Schengen area, citizens of any other state of the European Union or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein can enter Spanish territory for stays of no more than 90 days during the same semester only with the national identity document provided when it is valid up to three months after the expected date of departure and has been issued in the last ten years.

On the other hand, citizens of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania, Ireland and the United Kingdom do not need a visa to enter Spain for tourist purposes, but they do need to present their passport.

In parallel, the Schengen states have reached a series of agreements with certain countries according to which their nationals are exempt from the obligation to present a visa to cross their borders, including those of Spain, when they travel as tourists for no more 90 days. The countries exempt from the visa requirement to enter the Schengen area are: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Commonwealth of Dominica, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, United States, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Holy See, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, East Timor, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

The fact that they do not need a visa does not mean that citizens of those countries should not be able to present certain generic information at a passport control if required. On the other hand, some of these countries, such as Argentina, must request an online permit called ETIAS.

The rest of the residents of third countries are required to obtain a permit known as a Schengen visa for any visit of the same duration. The only exception will be the case of foreigners who are in possession of a valid residence permit or long-term visa issued by a Schengen state.

Visa information is subject to constant changes, so it is advisable to always ask the Spanish embassy the requirements  you need for entering the country.

Culture and Food in Tarifa

Tarifa is a fishing village that has always lived off the sea. Every morning the fresh fish that sailors catch at night enters its port. Many of these fish go directly to the restaurants and bars of Tarifa, ready to be cooked.

In Tarifa you can find a wide variety of bars and restaurants that serve fish, as well as beef or pork, also very typical of the area, and other traditional dishes.

The best-known bars to go to eat fried fish are those in front of the port. El Puerto restaurant is one of the most popular ones for its delicious fish.

The Lola Tarifa (Calle Guzmán el Bueno, 5) has incredible dishes and an extensive Jerez wine list in a magical setting. Located in the historic center of Tarifa, it offers its famous tuna sirloin, incredible scrambled eggs with cod or the Iberian omelette with salmorejo and ham.

Mesón El Picoteo (Calle Mariano Vinuesa, 1) has affordable prices, a very pleasant treatment and a 100% local cuisine. Its specialty is seafood. It is impossible to find better clams a la marinera anywhere else.

Anca Curro (Calle Moreno de Mora, 5) is a small traditional bar that offers a limited number of options but of high quality and in an atmosphere with a lot of personality. I recommend you to try ham with local wine.

La Codorniz Restaurant (Ctra. Cádiz-Málaga, km 79) has a terrace and a large lounge where diners can enjoy the traditional decoration. Generally, their offer is based on products from the area, always with exhibitors showing the fish they have available. Their homemade desserts are also remarkable.

Taberna La Morena (Plaza de la Paz, 2) is one of those places that haven’t been in Tarifa for too long, but that have hundreds of reviews on Tripadvisor that rate it from “Excellent” to “Sublime”. Here, you will enjoy their amazing dishes in the heart of the old town of Tarifa, with a different gastronomic proposal: products from local suppliers, made with Asian and South American techniques to offer fresh and surprising food. I recommend you try the tacos de retinta pibil.

Silos 19 (Calle Silos, 19), located in an 18th century building and managed by the same owners as El Frances Tarifa, is one of the best hidden gems in the urban center. With a spectacular decoration and a modern menu with local products, it invites you to enjoy its creative Andalusian gastronomy. I recommend you try the presa ibérica.

Bibo Tarifa by Dani García (Arrabal Sector Valdevaqueros, 9), which has 3 Michelin stars, has a bit of everything: good food, good service, surfing and Andalusian character. He offers high quality cuisine with an incredible kitesurfing, paddle and windsurfing school.

Tarifa Nightlife

Since the 80s, when Tarifa became a surfing paradise, the city stands out for its multicultural atmosphere and its nightlife.

In Spain the night usually starts later. They come back from the beach around 8 in the afternoon. Afterwards, they go out to dinner between 9 and 11 pm. Only after 11 pm it is worth visiting the many bars in the narrow streets of the old town.

When the bars close, most of them at 3 am, people go to the clubs. The clubs usually open at 1 am but do not fill up before 2 am. 

Most of the bars and clubs in Tarifa are located in the historic center but also in the new part of town and even in the industrial estate.

Among the recommended bars is Cafe Central Tarifa (c / Sancho IV El Bravo), located about 100 meters from the church of San Mateo in the center of the old town. Its large terrace fills with people who enjoy relaxed music, drinks and tapas.

Bar Almedina is one of the most beautiful bars in Tarifa. It is located in the old wall of the Guzmán El Bueno fort near the town hall, inside one of the oldest buildings in Tarifa (3000 years) and witnessed the era of the Arabs on the peninsula. Every Thursday is Flamenco night and admission is free.

Cafe del Mar is a nightlife star in the area. Located in the industrial park at the exit of Tarifa, this place is distributed over 3 floors. On the ground floor there is a restaurant with Asian dishes and a long bar with plenty of space to enjoy a drink and the good atmosphere. The second floor has a bar and the third (the roof) has armchairs to enjoy the night or the day. Cafe del Mar takes you to Ibiza for a while.

Among the discos that are open all year round is La Ruina, located in the heart of the old town. Here you can enjoy house music in a modern and crowded environment.

Things to do in Tarifa

La Calzada is a street of a couple of blocks, very busy, that has many places to drink and eat something. In the surroundings of the Calzada is the old town, which is mostly pedestrianized and is full of small squares with bars where you can spend a happy afternoon. Strolling through its narrow-cobbled streets you will find the vast majority of places of interest to see in Tarifa. Among its characteristic bank houses are places such as the Church of San Mateo, the Puerta de Jerez, the Royal Prison, the Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno and the Plaza de la Alameda.

Spain is a country dotted with numerous medieval fortresses, most of them in an excellent state of preservation. In Tarifa you will find one of the best-preserved castles in all of Andalusia. Known as Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno, it was built in the 10th century by Abderramán III, Caliph of Córdoba, with the aim of controlling the passage of the strait and protecting the city from enemy attacks. Despite being a Muslim construction, the origin of its name derives from Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, warden of Tarifa, who at the end of the 13th century defended the city from Muslim attacks and even sacrificed the life of his son to save the city and its inhabitants. From the top of the castle you will enjoy excellent views of the city.

In addition to the imposing Guzmán el Bueno Castle, Tarifa had three walls that surrounded the city: the Almedina wall, the Aljaranda wall and the Arrabal wall. The Arrabal wall is the most extensive of the three, to which belongs the Puerta de Jerez, one of the most emblematic places in Tarifa. The huge gate was part of the perimeter of the old city walls, being the main access gate to the historic center for centuries. It was built in the 13th century and its external structure has an excellent conservation. Like the other remains of the wall that can be seen in Tarifa, the Puerta de Jerez has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest, being the only one of the old medieval gates that can still be crossed on foot.

For those who prefer the sea, Playa Chica is a small beach, located in the heart of Tarifa. This beach faces the Mediterranean Sea, so its waves are much softer than other beaches that face the ocean, ideal for sunbathing and enjoying the transparent water.

In Playa de Los Lances, also in the center of the city, you can bathe in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a very wide beach, with good waves for those who like to surf and ideal for watching the sunset. 

Tarifa is a strategic point of sighting of birds of short and long migration. You can also watch dolphins, whales and killer whales. The best time to do this fantastic activity is from April to October, when dolphins and whales swim between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Choose one of the non-profit companies to do whale watching, since for them the main purpose is to protect these impressive animals. Among them is the organization FIRMM (Foundation for the Information and Research of Marine Mammals), which offer excursions in renovated glass bottom boats.

The surroundings of the city have a lot to offer too. 20 kilometers away, the almost 4 kilometers long Bolonia beach, is famous for its dune of more than 30 meters high, declared a Natural Monument, as well as for housing one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Spain: the ancient Roman city of Baelo Claudia. It has been declared a National Historic Monument and its origin dates back to the 2nd century BC. This archaeological park is one of the best preserved of Ancient Rome on the Iberian Peninsula. Most of its buildings were built under the mandate of Claudio, where you can still see the remains of several temples, the forum and even a theater with capacity for 2.000 spectators.

On the other hand, Valdevaqueros beach, located halfway between Tarifa and Bolonia beach, is frequented mainly by surfers, kitesurfers or windsurfers. Keep in mind that it is one of the windiest in the Spanish geography.

If you plan to visit Tarifa by car, one of the places you cannot miss is the viewpoint of the Strait. It can be seen just 6 kilometers from Tarifa, on the national highway (N-340) towards Algeciras. From this viewpoint you will enjoy magnificent views of the strait, both on the European side and on the African side. It is an excellent place to realize the short distance that separates both continents. Next to the viewpoint, in addition to a parking lot, there is a bar-cafeteria, where they sell ice cream and all kinds of souvenirs.

Located 50 kilometers west of Tarifa, the town of Barbate is known for hosting some of the best beaches in the province of Cádiz. The beaches of Zahora, Caños de Meca, Pajares and Hierbabuena are true paradises by the sea. In addition, Barbate is also known for its fishing tradition, where bluefin tuna is the star dish of the local gastronomy.

Zahara de los Atunes is another town that is worth visiting. The white houses next to its wonderful beaches result in one of the most beautiful towns in Cádiz. Its beaches, its natural landscapes, the tranquility that it breathes and its fantastic gastronomy, invite you to spend a whole life in this place.

Tarifa and its surroundings have activities for lovers of history, animals, sports, beaches and small and unique towns. There is a bit for every taste.

Best Time to Visit Tarifa

Tarifa has a cool and windy climate given the prevalence of winds coming from the sea: the Poniente wind (west wind) and the Levante (east wind, more frequent and intense). Wind gusts of 80 km per hour or more are not uncommon but can occur in summer. Sometimes it can even exceed 100 km per hour.

During the course of the year, the temperature generally ranges from 11 °C to 27 °C and rarely drops below 8 °C or rises above 29 °C. The average temperature of the coldest months (January and February) is 13 °C, that of the hottest month (August) is 22.3 °C. 

Rainfall amounts to 630 millimeters per year, and has a Mediterranean trend. They are most abundant from October to February, when they are equal to or greater than 75 millimeters per month, while they become very rare in summer.

Winter in Tarifa runs from December to February, is mild, and is characterized by periods of sun, alternating with periods of bad weather, wind and rain. Even if the temperatures are mild, the wind can add to the feeling of cold. On the coldest days of the year, the thermal sensation usually drops to 4 ° C.

Spring, from March to mid-June, is mild, less rainy and sunnier. However, there can still be periods of bad weather, especially in March and April. 

Summer, from mid-June to mid-September, is mild and sunny, with some fog. In general, the temperatures are not very high, and they stay around 25 °C. The air is humid and the Levante wind blows insistently, which in some periods can be moderate, but in others it can be very strong for weeks. There can be cool days, with highs of 20 °C, even in July and August. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature usually reaches 30 °C.

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is mild and gradually rainier.

The sea in Tarifa remains cool even in summer, as it reaches a maximum of 23 ° C from July to September.

The best period for a sun and beach holiday in Tarifa is summer. It is good to remember that in periods when the wind is stronger, sunbathing on the beach could be annoying.

For excursions and walks, especially if you want to visit the cities of Andalusia such as Seville and Córdoba, it is better to choose April, May and October, since it is very hot there during the summer.

Tarifa for Families

Tarifa is basically a tourist city, charming to visit but without the infrastructure of a big city. The city with the most services you can find in the area is Estepona, 75 kilometers away, and Malaga is 160 kilometers away.

You are more likely to find a local international kitesurfing school in Tarifa than a private school serving the children of expats in English. Which should give you some indication of the number of expats living there. That is why it is important that your children learn Spanish. State schools teach classes in Spanish and private schools are at least 80 kilometers from Tarifa, on the Costa del Sol.

Your children will be free to come and go during the winter, although they should be careful when the city fills with tourists.

The reward of living in Tarifa comes in the quality of life. They will have a lot of contact with nature, with sports both on land and in the sea, and they will be able to learn one of the most widely spoken languages ​​in the world.

Living in Tarifa

Tarifa Transportation

Tarifa is a relatively small city, and therefore comfortable to move around on foot or by bicycle. Despite this, the Horizonte Sur bus company operates a bus line that can be useful for your trips and runs every 30 minutes.

The route he takes is as follows: El Cable / Las Torretas / Batalla del Salado / Margaritas / Cerro / Health Center / Pajaritos / Lidl / Barriada Sol / Retiro / Caleta / Puerta Mar / Guardia Civil / Puerta Jerez / Congo / Pool / Kiosko Juan / Mercadona / El Cable. The price is 1 EUR for adults and 0.50 EUR for children.

In addition, the same company operates a line that connects the bus station with the main hotels and campsites on the north coast of the city. The route is as follows: Bus station / Camping Río Jara / Hotel Dos Mares / Camping Tarifa / Hotel Hurricane / Camping Torre de la Peña / Explora-Tres Mares / Camping Torre de la Peña II / Camping Paloma / Camping Jardín de The doubts.

Finally, during the summer (from July 1 to August 31) a bus connects Tarifa with Bolonia beach from Monday to Friday.

The other great means of urban transport in Tarifa is the taxi. The main taxi rank in Tarifa is at the following address: Avenida de Andalucía (next to Puerta de Jerez). If you prefer to be picked up at a specific address, you can call Radio Taxi Tarifa: 956 79 90 77.

Fitness and Health

Tarifa has a great variety of natural spaces ideal for practicing adventure and nature sports such as trekking, mountain bike and swimming in open water. But above all, what characterizes this city is that it is one of the best places to practice wind sports like surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

If you dare to take windsurfing or kitesurfing lessons, the Dos Mares hotel school (schooldosmares.com) is based on the town beach on a walking distance. A two-hour windsurfing course costs EUR 60 and a kitesurfing course costs EUR 150. You can also go to Tarifa with your own equipment of the sport of your choice and in the city you will find many new friends to go practice with.

If even when you are in a unique natural enclave you prefer to go to the gym, you can enroll in Fitness Studio Tarifa (Av. Andalucía 27). It is a complete gym with machines, a wide variety of dumbbells and bars, a squat rack, a work area for free weights and an area to work mobility. It also has qualified personnel who can guide you in your daily routine and attend your training needs.

Tarifa People

Each person is different, but there are common personality traits that mark the identity of a region. The inhabitants of Tarifa are Andalusian and the Andalusians radiate joy and also spread it among the people.

At any time, they can tell you the best jokes and if the joke is bad, they make it good with the way they tell it. They make you laugh in every way: by what they say, by how they say it and by their expressions. They love being the center of attention and entertaining their guests. Also, word games will surprise you with their intelligence.

Andalusians are open, sociable, warm and always ready to help. Be careful of their promises because no matter how good they are, they tend to get distracted with life and sometimes they consider that they may leave for tomorrow something they should do today.

Traditions are passed down from father to son thanks to a deep-rooted sense of family and a deep sense of belonging to the community.

The Andalusian knows how to savor the small pleasures of everyday life that, however simple they may be, turn into great ones. They are also very optimistic people. Even in the most adverse situations, they are able to see the bright side of things and look ahead. If necessary, they laugh at themselves.

There is much to learn from Andalusian humor, although you will deny its slowness and little efficiency for other things. The good side is that you will laugh a lot even if you try not to.

Tarifa Insurance and Medical Care

The health system in Spain is ranked among the best in the world. Healthcare in Spain consists of both private and public healthcare. Around 90% of Spaniards use the public health system, which is called the National Health System. However, it is highly decentralized with service delivery organized at the regional level and poor accessibility and overdependence on the private sector remain problematic.

State healthcare is free for everyone who lives and works in Spain. This is paid in part with social security payments that will be deducted from your salary. However, in Tarifa you will have to travel to another city like Malaga to find certain state health care specialists. If you have a pre-existing disease, it is convenient to check if you can find here the specialists you need.

As an expatriate, you can get free state medical care if you are a resident of Spain and pay social security contributions; if you are a resident and recently divorced or separated from a couple registered in social security, a child residing in Spain, a pregnant woman residing in Spain, a person under 26 years of age studying in Spain, a state pensioner or if you are temporarily staying in Spain and you have a TSE card.

Spain has bilateral agreements with some countries, such as Andorra, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, which allow citizens of these countries who visit Spain, for short periods of time, to obtain free emergency medical treatment.

Residents only have to pay part of their prescription costs if they make regular payments for public health insurance in Spain. They also have to pay for certain specialized medical procedures and may need additional private insurance coverage.

If you want to be treated by a specialist doctor, you must have a referral from a family doctor. Be aware that wait times can be long. If you have private health insurance, you will be able to see a specialist much faster than going through the public system.

The provision of private healthcare in Spain runs parallel to the public system. Anyone who is not eligible for state health care will have to purchase private health insurance or pay the full amount of medical costs at a high price. Many people also opt for private health insurance that allows them to access better and faster treatment. Private insurance is popular with expats and usually costs between 50 and 200 EUR per month, depending on the coverage plan.

Make sure you are fully covered by reading our full Digital Nomad Travel Insurance guide.

Jobs in Tarifa

Tarifa is a small city, like a little town, that is filled with tourism mainly during the summer. For this reason, the vast majority of jobs revolve in relation to seasonal tourism. Work can be found in bars, restaurants, hotels, kitesurfing and surfing schools, and clothing and souvenir shops.

Although according to Spanish legislation to be able to work as a foreigner it is necessary to have a working visa, in reality not. The jobs are seasonal and many times they hire waiters, cleaning staff or kitesurf teachers without this documentation, only for the season.

The best way to find work in Tarifa is to go talk to the owners or managers of the bars, hotels or wherever you want to work as soon as the season begins. They usually need workers, but keep in mind that many are looking for job opportunities to enjoy the beach in their free time.

Check out our Digital Nomads Jobs Postings to find the best jobs available for Digital Nomads.