What's the Weather like in Puerto de la Duquesa in April
Temperature
April is the middle month of spring and thus represents the halfway ascent towards the hot and dry summers so popular in Puerto de la Duquesa, and the average temperature reaches a more generous 17°C. The nights maintain their crisp edge though, measuring a low average of 14°C, while the hotter days reach an average of 20°C, which is a beautiful and encouraging figure.
Humidity
Humidity slowly drops to a comfortable 70% average, with dew points well under 18°C, making the early mornings a pleasure for long walks and coffee in the marina.
Average Sunshine Hours
The days grow even longer, reaching up to 10 hours of sunshine, and chances of clear bright skies throughout increase to 25% on average. Chances of clouds drop to 7% while chances of rain spike back up to 31% on average, representing one of spring's last caprices before summer begins to settle in.
Rainfall
Rainfall increases to 72mm on average, spread over about 10 days, mostly manifested in 20-minute showers scattered across the second and third weeks of April. Chances of fog drop to 2% on average, mostly due to shifting winds and warming temperatures no longer clashing with night time temperatures.
Wind
Chances of windy days are 20% on average, and wind speeds reach 45kmh, a set of bold gusts cutting across Puerto de la Duquesa as the currents shift, focusing mostly from the southeast and south. Hot and dry winds slowly start to make their way into the bay area from the North African continent, which is why the high average temperatures begin to hit the 20°C mark.
Average Sea Temperature
The Alboran Sea also feels the sub-tropical influences coming from the south, as its average temperature rises to 17°C. While it's not yet great in terms of swimming conditions, it definitely makes beach time much more pleasant.
Puerto de la Duquesa Hotels in April
Manilva Green Apartments
An excellent 3-star accommodation option for mid-spring in Puerto de la Duquesa is Manilva Green Apartments, a splendid aparthotel situated within a 10-minute walk of Manilva's town centre. The property offers 2 large outdoor pools, and superb views of the sea and the mountains.
The self-catering apartments feature a comfortable lounge area with flat screen TV, air conditioning, en suite bathroom and a fully equipped kitchenette annexed to the dining area, as well as a balcony overlooking the property's lush gardens and pools, along with the surrounding panoramas.
There are barbecue facilities on site, as well as a lounge bar and a pizzeria restaurant, along with a mini-market and even vending machines. The 24-hour reception desk also offers car rental facilities and tour options in the area.
Pierre & Vacances Villa Club Terrazas Costa del Sol
Perhaps one of the best options in Puerto de la Duquesa is the charming and splendid Pierre & Vacances Village Club Terrazas Costa del Sol, a wonderful holiday village perfect for family holidays. It features a variety of swimming pools and kids' clubs, and it's built around a main square, abundant with fountains and lush palm tree gardens.
Impressive views of the sea and the Rock of Gibraltar can be enjoyed while lounging by the infinity pool, and you'll even have access to the private beach club with its sumptuous sun loungers and tapas bars.
All of the rooms are spacious, and feature air conditioning, a fine and classy contemporary décor with Moorish accents, as well as fully fitted kitchens and spacious terraces with outdoor furniture.
Hotel Patricia
For a more budget-friendly option, the lovely Hotel Patricia can be found close to Sotogrande, and offers access to one of the best beaches of Costa del Sol, as well as some excellent golf courses.
The hotel offers spacious and modern rooms, with cool white walls and tiled flooring, matched with antique furniture, air conditioning and flat screen TV in the lounge area. The suites open out to splendid views of the sea, as well as a panorama of the neighbouring clusters of restaurants and terraces situated within walking distance from the hotel.
The hotel is quite close to Gibraltar, and thus a great option if you're looking to explore the southern parts of Spain.
Beach in Puerto de la Duquesa for April
Playa Ancha
Playa Ancha is a natural continuation of the popular Playa Sabinillas, stretching east of the village. The Manilva river flows nearby, bordering against the splendid white village of Casares, while the outer part stretches over a few kilometres of smooth sands, opening out to the beautifully blue Alboran Sea.
It used to be quiet, back in the olden days when the Casares Marina was the only urban area around, but it has grown to high levels of tourism over the last 20 years. However, the area is relatively calm and undisturbed throughout months like April, making Playa Ancha one of the best spots for long afternoon walks and sunbathing sessions before noon, on the hotter days of the month.
You'll find lifeguard points and showers scattered across the beach, as well as a delightful chiringuito bar at its eastern point, guarded by the 16th century Torre del Sal. All in all, this beautiful beach offers not only tranquillity and pleasantly shallow waters when the sun is out and warm, it also sports plenty of ancient landmarks to admire along with the splendid views of the sea and the sky.
Bars and Restaurants
La Buena Vida Restaurant
When you're out and about in Puerto de la Duquesa, chances are you will stumble upon some of the best restaurants in the area. The marina is known for being home to some fantastic Spanish and International cuisine, and one of its main contributors is La Buena Vida Restaurant.
Its spacious interior and generous terrace offer enough seating for dozens of guests, with tantalising smells sneaking out of the kitchen, which produces excellent takes on seafood and local dishes.
It's best known for its excellent and friendly services, as well as the high quality of the seafood, with fresh fish coming from the harbour in the morning, and the delicious paella nights. The drinks are far from pricey and the atmosphere is always laidback and welcoming towards anyone coming through the door.
Andres y Maria Chiringuito
Andres y Maria Chiringuito is a good option if you find yourself peckish around the Duquesa marina, a popular beach bar on Castillo beach, near the ancient castle. Serving a variety of International and Spanish cuisine, this charming little bar is as good at delivering boquerias and tapas as it is at surprising its guests with freshly skewered kebabs and seafood.
The prices are friendly and so are the staff, and most reviews find this to be one of the good pit stops along the way to or from the castle. It overlooks the deep blue sea and it sits on the fine sands of Playa Castillo when the sun is out and heating everything up, there's no reason why you can't treat yourself to some of the local eateries.
Things to do in Puerto de la Duquesa in April
Nicklaus Academy Finca Cortesin
As the weather warms up and offers more sunshine and clear skies, golf enthusiasts can try their hand at the many greens of Nicklaus Academy Finca Cortesin, one of the best golf courses that Costa del Sol has to offer. This superb location offers a length of over 6,800 metres of carefully designed hills and greens and over 100 bunkers, and it's one of the top ranking spots in Spain for professional golfers.
This course is the result of two great minds coming together Cabell B. Robinson, who designed it, and Gerald Huggan, who is the landscape architect behind its naturally looking splendour. It offers a superb balance of challenging holes and about 20 varieties of flora spreading over melodious hill lines and manicured Bermuda grass.
The instructors are all absolute champions in this demanding sport, and visitors can either book free-play sessions at the course or even take some lessons.
Sea Wall Path
There are many less beaten paths to take around Puerto de la Duquesa, and one of them is the sea wall. It splits towards the outer end of the marina, with one arm reaching towards Sabinillas, and the other taking the wide curve around the Duquesa harbour.
A small lighthouse towers over the area at the end of each wall, making this a perfect promenade venture during months like April. The sea is often restless during this time of the year, given the stronger winds and high tides, with choppy waters breaking against the stone clusters below and spraying everything around a refreshing and tingling sensation when the mercury hits the 20°C mark on the thermometer.
