![]() The mysterious Isla de las Palomas ( The island of doves ) in Tarifa, has just opened its doors to visitors © Michelle Chaplow |
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Isla de las Palomas / Isla de Tarifa and Punta Tarifa / Punta Marroqui
Isla de las Palomas is a small island linked to the town of Tarifa by a causeway, which extends south into the Atlantic Ocean from the town. The island is the southernmost point of mainland Spain and the European continent, only 11 km from the Moroccan coast.
The tiny, windswept yet romantic island, only 0.65 km long by 0.54 km wide and with a 1.85-km perimeter, has a long history stretching back over the centuries to the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans, who valued it for its strategic defensive position close to Africa. Later, it was a military base with guards at the gates.
The island opened to the general public for the first time in December 2022. Guided visits are being offered to the newly-opened visitor centre, by prior appointment with the Tarifa tourist office.
The Causeway
Visitors can walk the length of the causeway - officially named Calle Segismundo Moret after the Gaditano PM - without permission, as far as the island. Walking along this road, built in 1808, is a memorable experience, as you are between two bodies of water, only a few metres from each other - the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Entre dos aguas (Between two waters), as the iconic flamenco/rumba instrumental by legendary guitarist Paco de Lucia goes.
The causeway to Isla de las Palomas extends south-west from Calle Alcalde Juan Nuñez in Tarifa town, between Playa Chica to the west and the port to the east. It is the most southerly road in mainland Spain and mainland Europe.
When you reach the island (on a guided tour, see below), walk past the old defensive battery to Punta de Tarifa, also known as Punta Marroquí, on the far side of the island, and you’ll be at the southernmost tip of mainland Spain and continental Europe (not counting islands and enclaves; this, on the other hand, is joined by a causeway).
The Island
The 227,000 m2 (0.227 km2) island is highly prized for its wildlife, marine life, and wildflowers, although be aware that the visit doesn't allow you to roam freely around the island; it is an escorted tour to the visitor centre, with a set route.
The visit includes the Charles III Gate (entrance to the harbour), the old Moorish well and cistern, the parade ground, the 240mm Guillen cannon from 1896, possibly the oldest large cannon on display in Spain. After reading the panels in the visitors centre, the tour includes a walk around the lighthouse and look over to the southern tip of the island (and of mainland Europe).
The visit provides a fresh vantage point, with Africa in the distance and views of boats navigating west towards Portugal or east to the warm waters of the Med. The island is part of the Costa de la Luz Cadiz almadraba tuna fishing area.
Be aware that the island is not sheltered and can be windy, even quite blustery in the winter - Tarifa is famous for its wind, which attracts many watersport lovers to the area. This part of the coast is buffeted both by the warm, dry Poniente west wind, and the easterly, humid Levante.
The Island's history
On the island are remains of at least five Phoenician-Punic funeral chambers, dated between 6th and 4th century BC. The island was also used as a limestone quarry in Roman times. Isla de la Palomas was first fortified in the 17th century, when a small military battery was built. After Napoleon’s invasion in the early 19th century, further gun placements were constructed, as well as army barracks and underground weapons storage.
At the beginning of World War Two, bunkers were added as part of a defensive line against a possible allied invasion. The island’s continued military status during the last century protected it from development, and in 1988 it was handed over to the national coastal agency as Dominio Público Marino Terrestre (public domain coastal land), with a continued military presence until the end of the 1990s. In 2003 the island and its surrounding waters were further protected by being declared part of the Parque Natural del Estrecho de Gibraltar.
The island was used as a temporary holding centre for immigrants, rescued while making the dangerous crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar from Africa, until 2016.
From 2016 until late 2022, the island was closed to visitors, apart from occasional pre-booked guided tours as part of visits to the Parque Natural. This lack of access over the years left many tourists disappointed.
Faro de Punta Tarifa (lighthouse)
The 33 metre unmanned lighthouse on the island, Faro de Punta Tarifa, is maintained by the Algeciras Port Authority. It was constructed on the base of a 16m-tall stone watchtower which is part of the defensive chain of towers built by King Felipe II in 1595 to protect the area against attacks by Barbary pirates. The original watchtower was converted into a lighthouse in around 1812; three small lighthouse keeper dwellings remain.
Centro de Interpretacion del al Isla de Las Palomas
(Isla de Las Palomas visitors centre)
The 300m2 visitor centre, which is housed in lighthouse annexes, opened in December 2022, and examines the island’s marine and land environment, history, and cultural heritage. The permanent exhibition is entitled “La Isla de Tarifa. Testigo de la historia del Estrecho” (Tarifa Island: Witness of the Strait’s History). Visitors can see a scale model of the island.
In 2020 Designs were published for the project to restore the lighthouse annexe buildings and convert them into a Centro de Interpretacion de la Isla de Las Palomas also called Centro de Interpretacion de la Isla de Tarifa. In June 2021 tender documents for the 10 month building works, valued at 178,000€, were published. In March 2022 the keys to lease the building were symbolically handed over to Tarifa Town Hall by the Algeciras Bay Port Authority. Fitting out the visitor centre and permanent exhibition centre was scheduled to be completed by the end of September 2022; in the end, the Centro de Interpretacion de la Isla de Las Palomas was inaugurated on 12 December 2022.
The Isla de las Palomas tour
Isla de las Palomas opened to the public in December 2022, the guided tours cost is 4€ per adult, 2.50€ for teenagers (under 18yrs), students 1.50€ and free for children under 12 yrs.
Reservation for the guided tours should be made by telephone Tel: 678 904 046 or email:
centrodeinterpretacionisladetarifa @ aytotarifa.com
Confirmation and payment must be made in person by credit card (by one of the group) within 24 hours at the Tarifa Tourist Office on the Paseo de la Alameda no later than one hour before the visit. The meeting point is the island's gate at the end of the causeway (10 minute walk from the tourist office), and the visit lasts 75 minutes. The tours are limited to 30 people. Visitors can request a souvenir certificate following their visit to the most southerly point of mainland Spain and mainland Europe.
Tour is daily at 12.00 hrs (Weather permitting).
To book a place on a tour, call Tel: 678 904 046 or email:
centrodeinterpretacionisladetarifa @ aytotarifa.com
Interesting video by Urbex Militar (not filmed on an official tour)

Location
Located in Tarifa town, from the Alameda and the fishing port. Walk down Calle Alcalde Juan Nuñez to the causeway which is called Muelle de Rivera or Calle Segismundo Moret.