With its beaches lined with palm trees, crystal-clear water and cheap prices, it’s no surprise that Bali is a dream holiday destination for many.
But the cost of long-haul flights means that a holiday in the Indonesian paradise can come at a hefty price.
Luckily, there’s a cheaper alternative that’s much closer to the UK.
According to travel influencer Travel with Rafa, Tarifa in southern Spain offers a similar vibe to the Indonesian island.
In a video posted to YouTube, Rafaela says: ‘It feels like a tropical paradise in the middle of the Mediterranean. It feels like the Bali of Europe!’
Tarifa sits just nine miles across the shore from Morocco so it’s no surprise that temperatures average 25 degrees in August.
The town is located on Spain’s Costa de la Luz or Coast of Light, so beaches are its top attractions.
Tarifa’s best-rated beach is Playa de Bolonia, which one reviewer describes as ‘spectacular’.
Tarifa’s best-rated beach is Playa de Bolonia, which one reviewer describes as ‘spectacular’
According to travel influencer, Travel with Rafa , Tarifa in southern Spain offers a similar vibe to the Indonesian island
Writing on Tripadvisor, ‘Inaki Rubi’ says: ‘Huge, clean, spectacular. The sunset blows your mind.’
Playa de los Lances is the town’s next best-rated beach and has been praised for its ‘crystal clear water’.
A reviewer writes on Tripadvisor: ‘Super nice beach with very fine and great opportunities to take a break. You can watch the kite surfers walking. Great lifestyle.’
And while you can sunbathe on Tarifa’s beaches, the town’s Atlantic waves attract surfers, kite surfers and wind surfers.
Beginners can sign up at one of Tarifa’s multilingual kitesurfing schools to learn the ropes while experienced kitesurfers can check out the waves at Playa de Valdevaqueros.
After hitting the waves, Brits can visit one of the town’s many beach bars which serve cocktails for just €3/£2.50 at happy hour.
When it comes to eating out, seafood is the main event on many restaurant menus with swordfish a popular choice.
If you fancy ticking another continent off your bucket list, the ferry to Tangier in Morocco takes around one hour.
When it comes to eating out, seafood is the main event on many restaurant menus with swordfish a popular choice
Beginners can sign up at one of Tarifa’s multilingual kitesurfing schools to learn the ropes
How to get to Tarifa
Britons can reach Tarifa by flying directly to Gibraltar. EasyJet offers flights from Manchester and London while BA flies from London.
The flight takes just under three hours from London and tourists will then have a one-hour drive to Tarifa once in Gibraltar.
The town is also easily reached from Malaga Airport, which is generally cheaper to fly to from the UK.
Direct flights to Malaga are available from Nottingham, London, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle and more, with offers available for just £30.
Once in Malaga, it will take tourists just over two hours to reach Tarifa.
If Tarifa doesn’t appeal, why not take a look at the Italian city that’s been named one of the world’s best places to visit in 2025?
Genoa has one of the world’s largest medieval town centres. Within its depths, tourists will discover a labyrinth of caruggi (alleyways) packed with historic monuments.
