The story
The origin of Sotogrande is linked to Joseph McMicking who, in 1962, saw Sotogrande as the ideal place to develop a family development oriented towards healthy living and sports. Its access to the beach, the mouth of the Guadiaro River, the excellent climate and communications to both Gibraltar and Málaga made this place on the Costa del Sol the chosen place. This is how the first golf course and the first polo fields were born.
Golf
Today Sotogrande has five major golf courses, including the Valderrama Golf Course, venue for the 1997 Ryder Cup and considered one of the best courses in Europe, the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande which is considered one of the masterpieces of Robert Trent Jones among the more than 500 he designed around the world. Almenara, La Cañada and La Reserva Club complete the offer of what is considered by many to be a paradise for this sport.
Yachting
The marina was inaugurated in 1987 under the name of Puerto Deportivo Sotogrande. For its construction, the farm was acquired on the left bank of the mouth of the Guadiaro river. Puerto Sotogrande is considered as one of the most exclusive nautical sports in southern Europe with a total of 1,382 moorings right at the meeting point of oceans, countries and continents. The port has all kinds of services, restaurants, shops, supermarkets and beauty centres, among other facilities it has a large number of berths, a slipway, a heliport and a sailing school and the Real Club Marítimo Sotogrande.
Tennis and Paddle
Sotogrande offers three tennis and paddle tennis centers where you can play all year round. The Cucurucho Beach Club, the El Octógono Beach Club near the bridge and the La Reserva Sports Center offer excellent facilities and professional assistance to perfect this sport with both group and individual classes.
Beaches
Bathed by the sea, Sotogrande offers 11 kilometers of beach for the enjoyment of different water sports such as fishing or padel surf. Sotogrande beach that covers both sides of the mouth of the Guadiaro river and where several beach bars are located for lunch or dinner. Guadalquitón beach, several kilometers long and with views of the Rock of Gibraltar, and Torreguadiaro beach, with excellent facilities and very quiet even in the summer months. A few kilometers away are towns such as Tarifa or Marbella that can complete the offer for lovers of sun, wind and waves.
Guadiaro River
The mouth of the Guadiaro River is another attraction in the area. Its calm waters are the ideal setting for practicing sports such as kayaking, paddle surfing and canoeing.
Sailing
Sailing is another of the star sports in the area. The Sailing School and the port of Sotogrande have become a world reference as a venue for international regattas, such as RC44, CAT and the Sotogrande Classic Week. Its facilities, weather conditions and the functionality of the port are the ideal place for tests of all kinds.
Polo
But if there is a sport that characterizes Sotogrande, that is Polo. The first polo field in Sotogrande was built in 1965. Few could have thought at that time that it would be the beginning of what is now a totally rooted hobby in Sotogrande and that each year attracts more fans. Santa María Polo Club has been gaining positions since then until today, with its seven fields, four of them World Class, becoming one of the best clubs in the world, a club that celebrates every summer the international polo tournament that brings together the best athletes from the world of this sport.
Gastronomy
Eating in Sotogrande is synonymous with quality, synonymous with good food. In the Marina there are numerous restaurants where you can taste excellent fish and meat. Within the Urbanization we find the most select environments in restaurants of recognized international prestige led by chefs with several Michelin stars. On the other hand, if you want to walk around the area, it is easy to find restaurants specializing in Italian cuisine, pizzerias, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican or Argentine cuisine.
Nightlife
Sotogrande nightlife is most active during the summer months and even then it is usually mostly relaxed and sophisticated. In August you can enjoy the After Polo, which is an open air club open every day of the week until very late held at the Santa Maria Polo Club. Other popular bars with busy nightlife in Sotogrande, include the Hairy Lemon in Sotogrande Port, as well as Midas Bar Restaurant located just below the MIM Hotel. The Chambao Beach Bar and Trocadero Beach Club are also two popular venues when it comes to enjoying a drink, some good music and meeting people from around the world.