The official start of the tourist season in Sotogrande, part of southern Spain, May ushers in increasing temperatures and dropping rainfall amounts. Found not far from Gibraltar, this resort welcomes visitors with an average daily temperature of 19°C (around 66°F), pleasant for being outdoors and enjoying the sunny days. This area that's found in Southern Europe gets about 9 hours of sunshine each day, plenty of time for you to explore the area towns, get in a round of golf, or head to the beach.
The lows drop down to 15°C (around 59°F), but generally you'll only see those temperatures at night and in the early morning. Be sure to bring along a light jacket or sweater if you plan on being outside during those times. For the daytime hours, you'll be comfortable in cooler clothing like short-sleeved shirts, capris, and light-weight trousers. The highs reach up to 23°C (about 73°F), almost hitting the summer temperatures the area sees.
By this time of the year, the rainfall amounts drop down to 33 mm. That amount falls over 6 days in the month, so any rain that does fall is generally light and short-lived. Don't worry about having an umbrella or poncho; more than likely you won't need either during your stay. With the longer days and additional sunshine, make sure you have sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from sunburn.
With sea temperatures getting up to 17°C (around 63°F), the ocean is finally getting warm enough for swimming and water sports like surfing and kayaking. At the very least, take a walk down by the shore and enjoy the refreshing ocean breezes. Extreme temperatures are rare in this part of Spain but it has seen a high that reached a balmy 31°C (about 88°F). The lowest recorded temperature was a chilly 6°C (around 42°F).
Where to Stay
The Hostel Sabana has six guest rooms with private bathrooms, as well as a dormitory room that sleeps seven people. The clean, comfortable rooms are the perfect base for seeing the sights in the area. Hotel amenities include free garage parking, free wireless internet, televisions, luggage storage, and daily housekeeping. The hotel staff can also help set up local tours and airport transfers.
With a sparkling swimming pool and white stucco buildings, Finca Buenavista provides a calm and relaxing base for your holiday away in Sotogrande. All of the accommodations are two-bedroom apartments with bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen, living room, and private terrace. The friendly hotel owner can arrange hotel transfers, trips to the surrounding towns, and information on sightseeing in the area.
With five bedrooms and four bathrooms, you'll have plenty of space to spread out at La Matutina. The private villa welcomes guests to make themselves at home with a fully-equipped kitchen, comfortable family room, and high-end bathrooms. Outdoors, sit around the pool soaking up the May sun or head over to the umbrella-covered lounge area with outdoor couches. You can also dine outside around the large, covered table.
Things to Do
Explore the waters of the Mediterranean Sea by scuba diving with Bee Divers, located near Gibraltar. Whether you're a newbie or an advanced diver, you'll find a variety of diving courses to improve your skills. You can also rent dive equipment from the company or sign up for one of the company's dive tours that takes you to dive sites around the area.
Another great golf course in Sotogrande, the La Reserva Golf Club is one of the newest courses in the area, built in 2003. The 18-hole course has five tees at each hole for a wide variety of skill levels. The clubhouse is one of the largest in Sotogrande. Dine in the restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as you overlook the gorgeous green course, mountains, and sea.
The Sotogrande Marina is surrounded by colourful buildings and gorgeous yachts. Walk down to the marina on a warm May day to see all the boats coming into and out of the area and do a little people-watching too. Along the waterfront, you'll find numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars to grab a bite to eat or a cool drink. You'll also find several boutiques and other shops to browse and buy from.
Hit the Beach
Playa el Cabrero in Cala Taraje is a crescent-shaped beach with showers, toilets, lifeguards, and snack bar. The beach is part of a cove known as the Sardine Cove and is quiet and private for ultimate relaxation. While it doesn't have any extra amenities or facilities, it's a great choice for spending the day in the soft sand. Thanks to the warming water temperatures in May, up to 17°C (around 63°F), you can also enjoy swimming in the waves.
Eating and Drinking Out
Belly up to the sleek and modern bar at Cafeteria Ke to enjoy a delightful cocktail as you watch the world go by. You can also take advantage of the warm May afternoon and sit out on the patio. The light and bright dining room welcomes diners to feast on a menu of Spanish and Mediterranean favourites. The restaurant is open all day and offers everything from breakfast to late night drinks and dessert.
Frascati offers diners an authentic Italian experience with a wide variety of pasta and seafood dishes. The restaurant is also known for its thin crust pizza. Options include the traditional Margherita and specialties like the Capricciosa with tomato, mozzarella, ham, mushroom, onion, olives, and green peppers. Don't miss the extensive wine list with reds, whites, rosés, Proseccos, and champagnes.
If you're looking for something different than the typical Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, try Si Siam Thai Restaurant in nearby Guadiaro. The menu at Si Siam includes traditional Thai dishes like grilled beef salad, beef Massaman, Thai creamy red curry, green chicken curry, and tom yum soup. Choose to dine inside or head outdoors to the large patio surrounded by green plants and trees.
