Tarifa was under Arab rule for more than 500 years, and that legacy is much more than archaeology: it is in the aromas of the food, in the architecture of the streets, in the names of the places, in the hospitality of its people. From The Wind Palaceexploring this cultural heritage is one of the richest journeys one can undertake.
The name of the city
The name Tarifa itself is Arabic, specifically the name of the Berber leader Tariq ibn Ziyad, who landed here in 711 to begin the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. The city was one of the first to be Islamized and one of the last to be reconquered.
The surviving Arab architecture
The walls surrounding the old town, the labyrinthine layout of the streets, the horseshoe arches that can be seen in some doorways and the Castle of Guzmán el Bueno -built on top of a 10th century Arab fortress- are the most visible testimonies of the Arab presence.
Gastronomic influence
The spices of the market in Tarifa, the Arab-inspired pastry shops with their honey and almond sweets, the use of cumin, coriander and cinnamon in the local cuisine... everything refers to a culinary heritage that time has not erased.
The living Arab culture: souks and craftsmen
The proximity to Morocco keeps the Arab influence alive. In Tarifa there are Moroccan handicraft stores, hammams, mint tea cafes and a community of Arab origin that contributes to the cultural richness of the city.
We invite you to discover this dimension of Tarifa during your stay. It is a cultural trip that does not require a passport.
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