Cabopino Beach

From Marbella, it's a 14-minute drive or a 19-minute hourly bus ride — both straightforward options. The beach sits within the commune of Artola, just off the coastal road. Parking is a large, unsurfaced car park that's free to use, but arrive early in high season: spaces fill fast and some areas are on a slope, which can be awkward. There is no entry fee for the beach itself.

The Artola Dunes Natural Monument is the headline attraction — rated 4.6/5 and just 0.5km from the beach, its wooden boardwalks thread through protected sand dunes and pine forest without you needing to disturb a single grain. The Torre Ladrones watchtower, a Site of Cultural Interest with Roman origins, is right on the beach and worth a close look before the day gets too hot. Down at Cabopino Marina you'll find water sports and dolphin-watching trips alongside the usual marina restaurants and bars — a good half-hour wander if you want a change of scene.

Andy's Beach Bar is the closest option at just 0.1km — ideal when you don't want to go far. Restaurante Portofino Cabopino and Alberts Bar & Grill are both within 0.3km and offer a sit-down alternative. If you're willing to drive a few kilometres, Venta Restaurante La Butibamba at 5.6km carries a strong 4.4/5 from over 8,700 reviews — that kind of consensus is hard to argue with.

Camping Cabopino is the closest base at just 0.5km, rated 4.2/5 across more than 4,600 reviews — practical and popular with regulars. For something more polished, Marriott's Marbella Beach Resort sits 2.5km away with a 4.7/5 rating, and Don Carlos Marbella at 2.7km matches that 4.5/5 score with a more boutique feel.

Shoot the Torre Ladrones watchtower in the early morning when the light is low and the golden sand catches a warm glow with almost no one in frame. The wooden boardwalks winding through the Artola Dunes make a strong second shot — late afternoon shadows across the dunes give the scene real depth.

Cabopino is partly naturist, so don't be surprised — it's accepted and normal here, no attitude required either way. Always check the flag system before you swim: lifeguards are your first reference point, and their instructions are not optional. Rip currents are a documented hazard on Spanish Mediterranean beaches, including here — if you feel one pulling you, don't fight it sideways; swim parallel to shore. July and August bring peak heat and a significant uptick in visitors, so June or September give you the same sun with noticeably more breathing room.