If you’re staying on the Costa del Sol, the Rif Mountains of Morocco glitter tantalisingly on the horizon… and for about 50 euros each for a return trip, you can take a ferry which spans two hours and two cultures.
You can leave from Algeciras, an enormous, industrial port with an expensive car park, or drive a little further round the coast and use the more low-key port of Tarifa, which also has a free car park right by the ferry terminal.
Don’t forget the Moroccan time difference when catching the return boat, and also, make sure you get your immigration forms stamped on board before arriving.
The ferry is often rammed full of travellers returning from harvesting jobs in Europe, and a bag of sweets to share with curious children is a real ice breaker (a pack of Polos was shared between dozens of families).
You get great views of the Rock of Gibraltar and usually there are dolphins accompanying the ferries. In Tangiers, you can hire a guide for about 25 euros and experience the Kasbah and the markets for a few hours- a rowdy, colourful jumble - and try some of the unusual food and drink before returning to Europe… which will now seem grey and homogenous!
Several ferry companies including:
www.gotarifa.com/en/arrival/ferry_tarifa.html
If you want to have a rare sheltered yet sunny spot by the beach for tanning or just chilling out, try Tangana as it had everything we needed: food, drinks, kite hire and lessons. You can also rent a bungalow for the week (but I have no idea what they are like).
A short walk up the beach westward, there is also a huge sand dune you can walk up for views.
Its a couple of miles west of Tarifa at Casas de Porro, www.tarifaweb.com/tangana/eng/index.htm . We got a taxi from the Port at Tarifa, it cost about €12 one way.
A small funky hotel with Moorish influences in the old town. Price includes breakfast - get the toast with tomatoes and olive oil with your cafe con leche!
Close to lots of bars and restaurants - a great atmosphere in the evening, but not at all noisy when you want to get to bed (eventually!).
After an energy-sapping morning soaking up the rays on Valdevaqueros beach - one of the best along the Costa de la Luz - try lunching at the minute hotel perched on the dunes behind a surf school and shop. Enjoy the typically Tarifan hippy-chic vibe, sitting at oversized wooden tables under generous shady bamboo cover and their delicious array of hearty, green salads and fresh fruit juices make a welcome break after a night of tapas indulgence.
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