Maria Jose is a locally-born professional office specialist with bilingual secretarial studies who has been working in an array of companies in the town of San Roque and Sotogrande, joining the BM Team in 2015.
Welcome back to Beyond Sotogrande, our weekly series exploring the remarkable towns and destinations of the Campo de Gibraltar region. Last week we discovered the vibrant coastal town of Tarifa, where two seas meet and adventure is never far away. This week, we're heading inland to one of the youngest municipalities in the province of Cádiz, a peaceful destination where endless orange groves, fertile countryside, and authentic Andalusian life create a hidden gem that's often overlooked. 🗺️
San Martín del Tesorillo may be one of the youngest towns in Cádiz, but its story is deeply rooted in the rich agricultural history of the Guadiaro Valley.
Surrounded by vast citrus orchards, polo fields and beautiful countryside, this welcoming village offers a completely different side of the Campo de Gibraltar. 🍊
Unlike the luxury marinas and golf resorts of nearby Sotogrande, life here revolves around the land, the changing seasons and a close-knit community that proudly preserves its traditions. It's a place where the scent of orange blossom fills the air in spring, fresh fruit is harvested throughout winter, and nature is never more than a few steps away.
San Martín del Tesorillo lies in the fertile Guadiaro Valley, between Los Alcornocales Natural Park, Sotogrande, and the province of Málaga. 🚗
Just 15 minutes from Sotogrande, the village enjoys a privileged location that combines peaceful rural living with easy access to beaches, golf courses, polo clubs and the Mediterranean coastline.
Its mild climate and rich soils have made the area one of southern Spain's most productive agricultural regions for more than a century.
Because oranges are part of everyday life here.
Although the area originally grew sugar cane and later experimented with rice cultivation, San Martín del Tesorillo has become famous for its exceptional citrus production. Today, thousands of orange trees stretch across the surrounding countryside, alongside mangoes, avocados and other tropical fruits that thrive thanks to the fertile soils and warm climate. 🍊
Much of this produce is exported throughout Europe and even to countries such as Canada, Japan and Singapore, making this small village an important contributor to Andalucía's agricultural economy.
The answer lies in the River Guadiaro.
The village's original name, Tesorillo, means "little treasure." According to local legend, the Arabs named the river "Wad Auro"—meaning River of Gold—after Roman silver coins were discovered near its mouth centuries ago.
Whether the treasure was real or simply symbolic, the river has certainly lived up to its reputation. For generations it has provided the fertile water that allows the valley to flourish, supporting agriculture and sustaining local communities.
Surprisingly young.
Although the surrounding valley has been cultivated for centuries, San Martín del Tesorillo officially became an independent municipality on 2 October 2018, making it the youngest municipality in the province of Cádiz.
Its modern identity, however, dates back much further. During the 19th century, businessman Martín Larios Herreros, the first Marqués de Larios, acquired much of the Guadiaro Valley. The settlement later became part of the Agricultural Colony of Tesorillo, before being renamed San Martín del Tesorillo in honour of Martín Larios in 1879.
Today, around 2,600 people call the village home, creating a welcoming community that proudly celebrates both its heritage and its future.
Peaceful, authentic and full of character.
The heart of the village centres around Plaza de la Constitución, where local cafés, small businesses and everyday village life come together.
Walking through the streets you'll find traditional Andalusian houses with terracotta roofs, wooden doorways and colourful flowerpots, alongside the modern Church of San Martín de Tours, built during the 1960s.
One of the prettiest streets is Calle Ancha, lined with palm trees, cascading geraniums and elegant wrought-iron balconies that give the village its unmistakably Andalusian charm.
Absolutely.
The River Guadiaro offers some of the area's most beautiful outdoor experiences. One of the highlights is canoeing along the river, with routes beginning on the Hozgarganta River before continuing all the way to the mouth of the Guadiaro beside Sotogrande Marina.
Surrounded by nature, birds and peaceful countryside, it's a completely different perspective on this beautiful corner of Andalucía.
The nearby Los Alcornocales Natural Park also offers excellent hiking, cycling and wildlife watching for visitors looking to explore beyond the village.
Very much so.
One of San Martín del Tesorillo's greatest advantages is its location just minutes from Sotogrande, home to some of the world's finest polo facilities.
During July and August, international players and spectators arrive for the famous polo season, while Tesorillo offers a quieter rural base surrounded by farmland and orange groves.
It's a wonderful example of how traditional agriculture and world-class sporting facilities coexist side by side in the Guadiaro Valley.
Absolutely.
The village's biggest celebration is the Corpus Christi Festival, held on the eighth Sunday after Easter, when the streets are beautifully decorated and the whole community comes together in celebration. 🙌
Carnival is another annual highlight, bringing music, colour and creativity to the village.
🍊 December and January mark the orange harvest, when visitors can buy freshly picked citrus fruit directly from local growers.
🌸 April fills the valley with the unmistakable fragrance of orange blossom.
🐎 July and August coincide with Sotogrande's internationally renowned polo season, making Tesorillo an ideal base for exploring both the countryside and the coast.
Because it offers a peaceful and authentic side of Andalucía. 🌟
Surrounded by orange groves, the River Guadiaro and beautiful countryside, it's a place where nature, tradition and community remain at the heart of everyday life. Just minutes from Sotogrande, San Martín del Tesorillo perfectly captures the quieter charm of the Campo de Gibraltar.
As we conclude our Beyond Sotogrande series, we hope these guides have inspired you to discover the remarkable towns, villages and landscapes that surround Sotogrande. From historic white villages and coastal escapes to hidden rural gems like San Martín del Tesorillo, the Campo de Gibraltar is full of places waiting to be explored.
