Guides · Golf and leisure
Summer in Sotogrande
From July to early September the area comes alive: second-home owners return, the polo season starts and the marina is busy late into the night.
Polo
Sotogrande is one of Europe's great polo destinations. The Santa María Polo Club hosts a major international tournament every summer, usually across July and August, with high-goal matches and plenty of free-to-watch games. Weekend finals draw the biggest crowds; weekday matches are quieter. Check the club's own calendar for dates each year.
The marina
Puerto Sotogrande is the social centre in summer: restaurants and bars on the water, yachts in the harbour and a lively evening atmosphere. It is also the place to charter a boat or try paddleboarding. Alcaidesa has its own marina, closer to Gibraltar.
The beaches
- Sotogrande beach, beside the marina: long, sandy and lined with beach clubs.
- Torreguadiaro: a relaxed village beach with a more local feel.
- Alcaidesa: wide and open, with views of Gibraltar; often windy, which the kitesurfers love.
- The bay-side beaches near Puente Mayorga, used mostly by locals.
When the levante blows from the east, look for shelter; when the poniente blows from the west, the bay side is often calmer.
Fiestas
The San Roque feria takes place in August, with fairground rides, casetas, flamenco and late nights in the historic town. Village fiestas run through the summer in Guadiaro, Torreguadiaro and elsewhere.
Beating the August crowds
- Book marina restaurants ahead, especially at weekends.
- Reach the beach before 11am, or after 6pm when the light is best.
- Allow extra time for traffic around Sotogrande on polo weekends.
Related
The fortnightly index
We do not sell property, we do not list it, and we do not introduce buyers to agents. What we do is measure what this market is asking, and publish it. If you would like the index every two weeks — what moved in your area and what came down — leave an email and we will send it.