The Best Kitesurfing Spots In Tarifa Spain

From beautiful beaches to a kitesurf school that teaches all levels, here’s our pick of the best kitesurfing spots in Tarifa, the most southerly town in Continental Europe.

Tarifa’s famously windy climate has made it the kitesurfing capital of Europe, with adrenaline junkies flocking here between Febraury and October to enjoy the monster waves. This is our guide to the best spots to kitesurf in Tarifa, Andalusia.

Playa de Los Lances

Kitesurfing is allowed all year round on Tarifa’s most famous beach, but between June 15 and September 15 it’s restricted to clearly distinguished zones. Conditions tend to be dicier with the westerly Poniente wind blowing than with the easterly Levante, but this beautiful beach is still perfect for all levels of kitesurfer. When you’ve finished playing in the waves, head to one of Los Lances’ super-cool chiringuitos for a caña (small beer).

Playa de Valdevaqueros

Playa Hurricane

More experienced kitesurfers will find a playground on Playa Hurricane, a northern section of Los Lances named after the fabulous Hotel Hurricane. Because there’s less space here, manoeuvring – especially taking off and landing – is trickier, providing a challenge that’s only heightened by the beach’s strong winds. When you’ve got your daily adrenaline fix, head to Hotel Hurricane’s incomparable bar for refreshments and amazing views.

Playa de Bolonia

Located 25 kilometres north of Tarifa, Playa de Bolonia is one of Spain’s most stunning beaches. It’s also ideal for kitesurfing, especially when a strong Levante whips up waves that are almost three metres high. There’s plenty to see and do here afterwards, too: you can visit the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia, just behind the beach, explore the charming town of Bolonia itself, or simply relax on one of Spain’s most natural playas.

Tarifa’s beaches are suited to kitesurfers of all levels

Playa Punta Paloma

Situated north of Valdevaqueros is Playa Punta Paloma, a gorgeous beach that’s home to some of Andalusia’s most impressive sand dunes. Kitesurfing is permitted all year round here (although limited to zones between June 15 and September 15) and is at its best when the Poniente blows, resulting in waves between one and two metres high. Punta Paloma’s facilities comprise chiringuitos and showers.

Playa Balneario

Playa Balneario is situated just next to Tarifa’s port, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. It’s ideal for advanced kitesurfers, who’ll relish the choppy conditions generated by the Levante and Poniente (during storms, these winds can create five-metre-high waves on Balneario). There are two rock formations that disappear during high tide, so be sure to locate them before taking to the water. Surfing is prohibited between June 15 and September 15.

3Sixty Kitesurf School

No article on kitesurfing spots in Tarifa would be complete without a word on kitesurf schools. Tarifa, as you’d expect, has dozens of them, but 3Sixty Kitesurf School is consistently named as the best. Led by experienced instructors Marco and Andrea, 3Sixty’s multi-lingual team offer personalised classes at all levels (which can be organised around your schedule), and they’ll even sort your accommodation out, too. A great one-stop kitesurf shop.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.