When you are looking for an accommodation, you will come across names such as Hotel Hurricane, El Palacio del Viento and Hostal El Levante. Apart from its sandy beaches, the region’s most distinctive feature is its strong winds. This has earned its epicenter, the coastal town of Tarifa, the title of “Kitesurfing Capital of Europe”.
Kitesurfing Capital of Europe
Tarifa is located at the eastern end of Southern Spain’s Atlantic coast, right on the Strait of Gibraltar. Over the years, it has become a major hub for the international kitesurfing community. Its main spots, Los Lances and Valdevaqueros beaches, are surrounded by a number of surf schools and beach bars. Chiringuitos Tangano, Tumbao and Waves are popular hangouts for the surfer crowd, a fun contrast to the mainstream beach tourism.
The region’s strongest wind 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 part. 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.
