Sotogrande is the luxury resort estate on the Mediterranean coast 20 minutes from Gibraltar and an hour and a half from Malaga. Except Easter, July and August the estate is a very quiet and peaceful place to relax. At these times many Seville and Madrid families visit the estate relishing in its equipped beach restaurants, comfortable accommodation and privacy. The estate has a 24-hour security service.There are local supermarkets, the nearest town is Estepona to the east and La Linea to the west. A car is essential.

Accommodation available ranges from luxury hotels, through villas in their own grounds with their own swimming pools, to country and beach apartments with communal pools. From some of the beach apartments there are breathtaking views of the Straits of Gibraltar, particularly beautiful at sunset in winter months.

Sotogrande is roughly 5,000 acres in size and has three golf courses, Sotogrande and Valderrama and La Cañada. There are facilities for horse riding, polo, tennis, fronton, paddle tennis and sailing. The Marinas is the first important leisure harbour on entering the Mediterranean.

Sotogrande is one of the top venues in the world for polo and the only place in Europe where the sport is played throughout the year. Throughout the summer months there are tournaments, mostly at weekends. Spectators are welcome and anyone requiring more information should contact the Santa Maria Club of Sotogrande phone 956 61 00 12. Click here for an article about the Polo.

Within Sotogrande lies the Guadiaro estuary protected natural area of 27 hectare of marshland on the west bank of the estuary at the mouth of the River Guadiaro. It is of particular interest to birdwatchers but anybody can enjoy a stroll along the wooden walkways.