Known for its pretty little marina lined with popular eateries and cafés, Cabopino is also at the heart of a protected coastal nature reserve made up of umbrella pine groves, sandy dunes and long beaches.

In fact, the maritime reserve continues offshore, where it extends several kilometres out to sea to form an officially protected marine environment. Visitors love to stroll through this natural beauty spot marked with special wooden pathways and decking that provide information about the local vegetation and wildlife, which includes birds, amphibians, salamanders, rabbits, squirrels and of course aquatic species.

An ancient watchtower marks the entrance to one of the most popular nudist beaches on the Costa del Sol, but if this is not your thing just head in the other direction and enjoy endless extensions of sandy shoreline in a more conventional way. The watchtower forms part of a network of early coastal warning posts that would light fires to warn of pirates on the horizon. They were originally established by the Phoenicians, maintained and expanded upon by Romans, Moors and later Christian rulers, and continue to form an enchanting link with the rich and varied past of this region.

Cabopino is situated just a few minutes east of Los Monteros and La Morera Playa, and on its inland section contains a small commercial centre and a charming golf course with lovely sea views. It is the ideal marina for residents living in the Los Monteros area, though well worth a regular visit even if you don’t own a yacht or enjoy renting one of the local motor or sailing boats available for tours in the yacht harbour.

From here, you can follow the shoreline all the way home to La Morera Playa, stopping at local fish restaurants, chiringuito bars and beach clubs along the way – or even treating yourself to some spa treatment at the Vinci Hotel.

In fact, there is no real reason to leave this magnificent coastal area for long, even though Marbella town and Puerto Banús are less than ten minutes away.