Playa de Cala Sardina

About Playa de Cala Sardina

Playa de Cala Sardina, also known as El Cabrero or Cala Taraje, is a beach on the eastern edge of San Roque, just beyond the village of Torreguadiaro and close to the boundary with Manilva in Málaga province. It lies below the A-7 coast road, about 4 km from the Sotogrande marina.

Despite the 'cala' in its name, it is not a tiny cove but about 900 metres of dark sand, 50 metres wide. It is isolated, backed by hills and vegetation rather than apartment blocks, and the water is generally calm. A large open area beside the beach, often used by motorhomes, serves as parking.

Cala Sardina is one of the San Roque beaches that have flown a Blue Flag. In season there are lifeguards, toilets, showers, sunbed and parasol hire and a food and drink service. Access is easiest by car. This corner of San Roque is better known for Sotogrande, whose courses include Valderrama, host of the 1997 Ryder Cup.

Occupancy is usually low, but June and September give warm water with the most space. On summer days come in the morning, before the dark sand heats up.

Playa de Cala Sardina in pictures

What you’ll find

• Beach lifeguardSupervised swimmingFree
• Beach sunbedsSunbed hireRent
• Beach umbrellasUmbrella hireRent
• Public showersWash bodyFree
• Public toiletsPersonal SanitattionFree
• Sandy beachRest on beachFree
• Sea shoreSnorkellingRentSwimmingFree

Nearby places to visit

Several beaches lie within a short drive. Just over the border in Manilva, Playa de los Toros (1 km) is the least built-up beach on that stretch, with protected dunes behind the sand, while Playa de las Arenas (2 km) is the coarse-sand beach below a steep headland near Punta Chullera, followed by Playa de Tubalita (3 km). Back in San Roque, Playa de Torreguadiaro (2 km), another Blue Flag beach, fronts the old fishing village beside the Sotogrande marina. The A-7 links them all, so it is easy to try two or three in a day.