Insider’s Guide to Sotogrande, Spain

What makes Sotogrande such a special place to live?
Family and sport are the big things here – Sotogrande has five world-class golf courses, polo fields, tennis clubs and loads of opportunities for sailing. There’s an international school with 1,300 pupils of 40 nationalities. And we’re surrounded by the natural world. We have beautiful landscapes, with spectacular sea views from the wooded hillsides of Sotogrande Alto. What we don’t have yet – and many residents are grateful for this – is nightlife and luxury shopping. For that, you have to drive up to Marbella, which is 35 minutes away.

What kind of houses can you find here?
Sotogrande is low-density – the properties here are spread out. The most expensive on our books is €16.5m (£13.89m): a 2,300 square metre house with an indoor pool, a spa, tennis courts and fantastic sea views. Apartments, on the other hand, start at €350,000. You get wonderful views of the River Guadiaro too. The most popular neighbourhoods are Kings and Queens, close to the sea, and La Reserva, where there’s a golf course, a tennis centre and a buzzing inland beach club with a small lake.

Who’s moving to Sotogrande?
Sotogrande was founded 62 years ago and originally attracted mainly Spanish, American and British visitors. It’s now far more multinational, with French and Belgian buyers, and a lot of Polish people too – that’s a big new market. 

Everyone is serious about their sport – it’s what draws people here. Sotogrande is also a magnet for celebrities, from Spanish royals to high society from overseas.

Which sports are big?
Sotogrande’s best golf course, which has been ranked number one in continental Europe for 30 years, is Real Club Valderrama. It has hosted the Ryder Cup, and LIV Golf is there for the second time this year. The SotoTennis Academy sends players straight out onto the ATP Tour, including doubles star Lloyd Glasspool, and Panna Udvardy, who is now in the top 100 WTA.

Throughout August, Sotogrande is the centre of the polo world. All the best players arrive and there are dozens of games, culminating in the Gold Cup. We also have plenty of equestrian centres, and a lot of people are into sailing. We’re near the Strait of Gibraltar, so it’s wonderfully breezy, which attracts kiteboarders and surfers.

Which sports do young people do?
There’s a club called La Cañada that has a fantastic academy for young golfers. Sotogrande’s local village, Guadiaro, has the highest number of professional golfers per capita in the world. You’ve also got the tennis academy, riding schools and sailing clubs, all open to children and young people.

Tell us about your favourite restaurants and bars…
I love Asador Cancha II, which is just outside Sotogrande, beside the Ayala Polo Club. It’s an Argentine place with a wood-fired grill, looking out over manicured polo fields – the rib-eye and Galician T-bone steaks are amazing. Trocadero is a beach club that serves superb seafood – it’s good fun on a sunny winter’s day. And there’s a village north of Sotogrande called Torreguadiaro that has lots of top-notch tapas bars: La Verandah is one of the best. If you want a craft beer, El Patio has a marvellous range, Octógono is wonderful for a drink by the sea, and Fresco in the marina has such atmosphere – it’s great when sporting events are on.

How do you get out into nature?
Sotogrande was originally a cork forest, so you still have cork and olive trees all over the place. There are a couple of wildlife sanctuaries by the river, with lots of birds – we’re just off the main migratory route. You can spot wild boar, deer, foxes and badgers: it feels as if you’re in the countryside. There are lots of walking and hiking paths, and you get great views of Gibraltar. It’s often clear enough to see all the way to Morocco.

What’s the single best thing about Sotogrande?
I’ve been here for 42 years, and for me it’s all about ease of living. Everything is 10 minutes away. It takes me 10 minutes to get to the office, 10 minutes to go home, 10 minutes to the golf club and 10 minutes to the beach. And I have a choice of 45 restaurants only 10 minutes away, too.

Portfolio recommends…
It’s tricky to pick our favourite polo resort, but Polo Valley might just clinch it thanks to its river hack, where you can ride right through the water. For handcrafted jewellery, visit the night market in the marina on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer. Vinopolis is probably the best wine shop in Sotogrande, especially for high-end Spanish labels – it also hosts regular wine tastings. And the Trocadero flamenco festival is always great fun in the summer.

JAMES STEWART, DIRECTOR AT JAMES STEWART IN ASSOCIATION WITH SAVILLS, SOTOGRANDE
j.stewart@js-sotogrande.com

Pictures from top: Sotogrande, with James Stewart inset; the resort from above; the area has five world-class golf courses (Alamy); Sotogrande’s marina at night (Alamy); and at the water’s edge by day