Del Duque Beach

Golden sand, clear water and room for everyone. The beach is wide, and a row of bars and restaurants runs just behind it, so lunch never means leaving the seafront.

The sea has some life in it. On moderate days the waves are half the fun; when the swell builds, the red flag goes up and swimming stops. Above the sand, an observation deck looks out over the beach and the open Atlantic, and the hotels behind give the whole front a polished, well-kept look. It suits families: the sand is soft, and food and toilets are close at hand.

• When the red flag flies, swimming is not allowed, and on days of big waves that can last all day.
• The public toilets about 90 m from the beach charge a fee.
• There is no drinking-water tap nearby, so bring your own.
• There are no free changing cubicles on the beach.
• Sunbeds with umbrellas are for hire at a charge.

The Bahía del Duque bus stop sits about 230 m from the beach, the simplest way in without a car. Drivers have a paid car park about 200 m away and a second one about 260 m out. The garage under the shopping centre at the corner is for members only, so do not count on it. Guests of the hotels behind the beach have the easiest approach of all: out of the lobby and onto the sand.

Best: in the morning, on a day when the sea is calm.

Avoid: later in the day, and days of big swell.

The mornings are easy, while later on the sand gets very crowded, and when the waves are large the red flag goes up and nobody may swim. There is no natural shade on the sand, so bring a hat whatever the hour.