Sardina Beach

From the sand you look up at colourful houses stacked into the cliffs that close the cove. The beach is dark and fine, and the water over it is very clear.

The stones in the water are home to fish and other sea life, which makes the cove a snorkelling and diving spot as much as a swimming beach; the renovation even gave divers their own space to change in and out of their gear. The sea floor slopes very gently, so small children can wade in. A bit farther out the waves get big, and strong swimmers come for those.

It rarely feels packed. A restaurant overlooks the beach, and the narrow streets of the village climb the slopes behind it.

• It gets very windy on the beach: umbrellas are hard to keep upright and the fine sand blows over towels.
• Public toilets, showers and a changing area for divers and snorkellers came with the beach's renovation.
• The water is clear but chilly at first; bring a mask, as the stones in the water hold fish.
• A gate controls vehicle access to the beach area; the free parking sits up the hill.
• The nearest shop is about a 15-minute walk away, so bring water and snacks with you.

Most people arrive by car. A gate now controls traffic into the beach area, which leaves the seafront to pedestrians, so you leave the car in the free parking about 165 m away and walk a couple of minutes down the hill to the sand.

Buses also reach the village. The Playa de Sardina stop is about 160 m from the beach, and the Carretera Sardina Km 5 stop about 90 m away. If you have the legs for it, the sidewalks and narrow streets around the cove are worth a wander before or after a swim.

Best: a calm, sunny day, at any time of year.

Avoid: windy days, when the fine sand blows across the beach and an umbrella will not stay put.

Even in January the cove stays quiet and hot in the sun, though the water feels cold at first; this open north-west coast takes its biggest Atlantic swells in winter, so check the sea before you plan to swim.