A summer getaway for some of the most wealthy and famous Spanish families, Sotogrande is located on the south coast of Spain, not far from Gibraltar. It started out as a gated community and has expanded into the largest privately-owned residential area in the Andalucia region. Thanks to its location on the Mediterranean Sea, the resort enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate of hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters.
The resort is a part of the Cadiz province and sits in an area of 20 square kilometres (about 8 square miles), running from the Mediterranean north to the foothills of Sierra Almenara. With the variations in elevation, the resort sees weather that can vary between the coastal areas and the higher inland elevations.
Sotogrande's southern location gives it warm temperatures throughout the year. Even with the ocean's breezes that typically moderate the highs, the resort's proximity to Africa across the Mediterranean can still mean hot summers.
Visitors to the area enjoy the beauty of a variety of landscapes, from views of the sea and the Rock of Gibraltar to the green foothills and forests found inland. The inland hills give Sotogrande protection from the cool, wet weather that drops from the north.
The resort is well-known for providing the perfect base and weather for outdoor activities. With five golf courses, six world-famous polo fields, two tennis clubs, and a rugby club, the resort offers plenty to do. You can get close to nature in Sotogrande as well, with the River Guadiaro running right through the area. The river's estuary is an Andalucia national park and wildlife reserve where you can get up close and personal with wildlife and vegetation.
Spring
During the spring months, the average daily temperature sits between 15°C and 19°C (about 58°F to 66°F), quickly rising as summer approaches. The highs get up to 18°C to 23°C (about 64°F to 73°F), excellent weather for enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Sotogrande. The lows drop down to 11°C to 15°C (around 52°F to 59°F), but generally these temperatures only occur at night and in the early morning hours.
The rainfall amounts decrease during the spring, dropping from 73 mm in March down to 33 mm in May. The rain falls over 6 to 10 days, so more than likely you'll have a good chance of more sunny days than rainy ones during your stay. The sun shines for 7 to 9 hours each day, plenty of time to get outside and take in the beautiful weather. The ocean temperature sits between 16°C and 17°C (around 61°F to 63°F), a little chilly yet for any swimming or water sports.
Summer
As summer rolls into Sotogrande, the temperatures continue to jump up and the rainfall chances dramatically decrease. You can expect an average daily temperature of 22°C to 25°C (around 71°F to 76°F), near-perfect temperatures for exploring the coastline or the inland hills. The highs get all the way up to 26°C to 29°C (about 79°F to 84°F), approaching balmy. Thanks to the ocean breezes, the humidity stays low. Even at night, the temperatures stay up with lows only going down to between 17°C and 20°C (about 63°F to 68°F). The hot temperatures peak in August, which is the hottest month of the year with an average temperature of 25°C (about 77°F).
In June, July, and August, the area sees only 3 mm to 16 mm of rainfall a month, falling over 1 to 4 days of the month. You're almost guaranteed all sunny days during your stay in the summer and won't have to worry about bringing along an umbrella. The sun shines 10 to 11 hours each day, with July having the most sunshine hours at 11. The ocean temperatures get up to 20°C to 22°C (around 68°F to 72°F), nice and warm for swimming and trying your hand at water sports. Along with the longest days, July also has the warmest ocean temperatures at 22°C (about 72°F).
Autumn
Autumn in Sotogrande is still warm, with temperatures slowly dropping as the months head into winter. The average daily temperature has a pretty big range, between 16°C and 23°C (around 61°C to 73°C). The highs go up to 19°C to 27°C (about 66°F to 81°F), pleasant enough to be outside and seeing the sights. At night, the lows drop down to 13°C to 18°C (about 55°F to 64°F), staying warm enough for a nighttime stroll along the beach.
From September through November, the rainfall chances jump up from 18 mm at the beginning of the season to a yearly high of 118 mm in November. The rain falls anywhere from 4 to 11 days each month, so bring along that umbrella, especially toward the end of the season. The sun shines from 5 to 8 hours each day, giving you ample time for sightseeing. The water temperature is still warm during this time, ranging between 18°C and 22°C (about 64°F to 72°F).
Winter
While cold, the temperatures stay steady throughout all the winter months, keeping at 13°C (about 56°F). January is the coldest month of the year with lows going down to 9°C (about 48°F). The highs stick at 16°C (about 61°F) throughout December, January, and February. In the evening and early morning hours, the lows drop down to 9°C to 10°C (around 48°F to 50°F), chilly but still nice enough to be outside, even along the coastline. On the coast in this part of Europe, it rarely gets down to freezing but frosts are seen regularly in the hills and snow is a possibility.
This time of the year sees between 89 mm and 115 mm of rainfall and 11 to 12 days with rain each month. Bring along an umbrella or poncho for those rainy days during your visit. While the number of daylight hours drops during the winter, down to 5 to 6 hours each day, you still have time to spend outside. With the low ocean temperatures, dropping to 15°C to 17°C (about 59°F to 63°F), you probably won't be doing too much swimming.
Weather Hazards
The Sotogrande area doesn't see too many weather hazards like hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods. It's not uncommon, however, for the resort to see unpleasantly high temperatures that reach up to the low 40s during the summer months. The resort's location just across the Mediterranean from the Sahara means the sirocco winds that blow across the desert also come north to Spain, bringing dry heat.
More than likely, you won't get these temperature extremes during your visit, as this part of Europe stays moderate and consistent. You can check the local forecast before you leave to be sure of what type of weather you'll see during your holiday.