Tarifa where two seas meet

After a late arrival from Morocco to Algeciras we’re driving a 30 minute route to an overnight motorhome parking area. The destination is Tarifa, where two seas meet and the most southern tip of Europe.

We find the motorhome parking easily enough in the town centre and it’s quite full. The following morning brings sunshine and winds. Tarifa is after all, known for water sports enthusiasts, with kite surfers loving the breezy conditions and wide open beaches.

Before exploring, we have washing to catch up on, and there’s a really good laundrette a couple of minutes walk away.

With fresh laundry folded and put away, we can concentrate on exploring Tarifa on foot.

Sea meets Ocean

Our walk from the motorhome area takes us onto a long promenade. Unfortunately, the winds are so strong, with fine sands blasting us along the sea front. The sea here is bright blue and the sands pristine white. It’s the sort of fancy free, laid back kind of feel that a surfing town brings.

It’s at the end of the promenade on the edge of town where two seas meet, in this wind-swept corner of Tarifa.

Here, as we cover our eyes from the oncoming sands, a sign marks the spot. Tarifa is where the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean come together with a swirling roar of waves evidently showing which side is which.

Views to Morocco

As shelter from the winds calls, we move into the old town, where Moorish influence dating from the 8th century awaits. Tarifa is named after Tarif ben Maluk, who landed here during the Moorish conquest.

Ferries sail from Tarifa to Morocco, with day trips available from the harbour. The outline of North Africa can be seen across the Strait of Gibraltar, almost in touching distance in the haze.

Tarifa old town

Tarifa old town is a quirky kind of place, with a maize of narrow alleys, quaint streets and busy outdoor eateries.

There’s a colourful mix of decor to the buildings, along with a hippy feel and plenty of character.

The town centre is a mix of small shops, restaurants, bars and laid back cafes. It’s a place to sit and watch, enjoying the early Spring sun.

Motorhome friendly – Tarifa where two seas meet

In our vanlife experience, Tarifa is a motorhome friendly town, providing an official overnight parking area in the centre. It costs €8 a night on our visit in April 2024 and we think it’s good value for money.

There’s a dump and fresh water area and it’s obviously a popular stop for motorhomes. However, on our return to Tarifa in March 2025, the motorhome parking area is really empty. That’s because the fees have apparently gone up to €15 a night, a steep increase to the previous year.

Instead, we park in a parking area next to a Lidl store, on the upper part of the town. This, in contrast is full with motorhomes and is free.

A short drive away in town are two garages which have motorhome dump and fresh water areas. We use one of these, which is a few Euro for filling up the tank, emptying the toilet and waste. It’s a great facility.

Our drive passes surrounding streets which have rows of motorhomes parked up, we’re unsure how long they’ve been staying, but it shows how popular it is here. How long it’s tolerated for is another matter, with many parts of Spain’s coast having become very strict on this 2025 trip.

Parque Natural Barbate

We’re never ones to stay anywhere very long, and Tarifa is no exception. Moving on along the coast our campervan travels continue. Following turquoise seas and pristine sands.

A few km further on from Tarifa’s long stretches of beach, the road rises to a headland. Here a nature area of walks and fine views brings opportunity to stretch the legs.

This is the Parque Natural Barbate, where a number of marked walking trails begin from a spacious parking area.

We choose a 45 minute walk, taking us along shady paths, with wild flowers and fauna surrounding us. It’s a welcome change and a chance to enjoy fine views as the path emerges to an old lookout tower overlooking the sea.

Tarifa is a great destination to explore, we’ve enjoyed both visits here in 2024 and 2025. Although the weather this year was pretty awful, with torrential rains at times, it was still a lovely area of southern Spain to return to and one we’ll no doubt visit again sometime.