Playa del Sardinero
Best time to visit
It is best early in the morning, when the sand is packed down and the water is calmer, so swimming becomes a real pleasure. For the warmest sea, come in June or September, when there are fewer visitors than in the middle of summer.
Budget tips
Beach entrance is free, so it is enough to bring your own towel and a snack. Prices at the cafes along the shore are higher, so for cheaper pastries and drinks, take a walk a few streets behind the promenade.
Recommended for
Families with children, Surfers, Photographers, Couples
Plan your visit
2-3 hours
About
Quick facts: The bay is made up of two connected sandy shores divided by a rocky ridge, totalling almost a kilometre of golden sand. It takes its name from the sardines that fishermen once sold right on the beach, and the strong waves today attract surfers all year round.
Highlights: At the end of the promenade, right above the waves, rises an old elegant casino building whose style recalls a French chateau from the last century. At low tide the shore extends for tens of metres and reveals rock formations where people sunbathe, while the water around them gently gurgles.
Insider tips
- Take a microfiber towel, because an ordinary cotton one is hard to shake the fine sand off.
- The best view for a photo is from the cliff at the eastern end of the beach, an hour before sunset.
- Avoid the afternoon hours in July and August, when the sand is full of families, and it is calmest on weekdays before noon.
- Bring a windbreaker even in the sun, because the weather can easily turn around in one hour.
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