Search for accommodation in the area and you will come across names like Hotel Hurricane, El Palacio del Viento and Hostal El Levante. Welcome to the coastal town of Tarifa, dubbed the “Kitesurfing Capital of Europe”! In fact, it is located in the center of one of the windiest regions in Europe. Over the years, it has become a major hub for the international kitesurfing community.
Tarifa is located at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, right at the eastern end of its Atlantic coast, on the Strait of Gibraltar. Its main spots, Los Lances and Valdevaqueros beaches, are served by a number of surf schools and beach bars. Well-known hotspots of the surfer community are Tangano, Tumbao and Waves Chiringuitos. If you are looking for a change from the mainstream beach tourism, these places offer an interesting contrast.
The strongest wind in the region is the infamous Levante, a hot and dry easterly known for its violent gusts. It is mainly caused by the difference in pressure between the Mediterranean and Atlantic sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. The topography also plays a role. As the wind passes through the Strait, it is deflected by the high terrain on either side, increasing its speed, a mechanism known as the Venturi effect.
