The local guide
Explore Cabopino, Marbella and the Costa del Sol
Protected dunes, Mediterranean beaches, memorable food, year-round golf and unhurried days out — all within easy reach of Casa Cabopino Retreat.
Close enough to explore
Start nearby. Wander further.
Casa Cabopino Retreat is located in Marbella East, close to Cabopino and the protected Artola Dunes. Begin with a sunrise walk, breakfast overlooking the golf course or a slow day by the sea. When you feel like venturing further, Marbella Old Town, Mijas Pueblo and the wider Costa del Sol are within easy reach by car.
- Beach and dunes nearby
- Year-round golf
- Marbella in approximately 20 minutes
- Car recommended
Explore your way
What are you in the mood for?
Our favourite ways to experience the area — selected for atmosphere, ease and that slower Mediterranean rhythm.
Nature & coast
Cabopino & Marbella East
Walk the Artola boardwalks, spend the day at Playa de Cabopino and discover the marina, beaches and easy-going atmosphere close to Casa Cabopino Retreat.
Local favourites
Eat & drink
From breakfast at LUMA and coffee by the sea to family-run Spanish favourites and sunset drinks around Marbella.
Year-round play
Golf near Casa Cabopino Retreat
Play Cabopino Golf close to home, or explore Río Real, Santa Clara and more of Marbella’s standout courses.
Slow beach days
Beach & coast
Choose protected dunes and quiet sand, a local chiringuito or a polished beach-club day with lunch and music.
Move & restore
Wellness & movement
Discover padel, yoga by Cabopino Beach, social runs, recovery rituals and healthy lunches when you want a more active day.
A little further
Marbella & day trips
Wander Marbella Old Town after dark, slow down in Mijas Pueblo or make a day of Estepona, Benahavís or San Pedro.
Local favourites
Places worth slowing down for
A short, honest list rather than a full restaurant directory. These are the places we go back to ourselves.
LUMA at Cabopino Golf
The restaurant at Cabopino Golf, a few minutes from Casa Cabopino Retreat, and an easy choice for breakfast or a relaxed lunch. The terrace looks out over the greens and towards the Mediterranean, and you do not need to be playing golf to stop by.
Cocoa Beach
Right on Playa de Cabopino, next to the Artola Dunes. Our favourite place to stop for coffee after an early walk, and easy to stay on for lunch or a few hours on a sunbed.
Taberna Gaspar, Marbella Centre
Simple, traditional Spanish cooking in a warm, family-run setting. Comforting plates made for sharing, and a world away from Marbella’s more polished restaurants. A good choice for lunch or dinner.
El Boquerón, Marbella Old Town
A small, lively tapas place just around the corner from Plaza de los Naranjos. It fits perfectly into an evening wandering through Marbella Old Town.
Recommendations are personal favourites and may change. Always check current opening hours and book ahead where appropriate.
Year-round play
Golf under the Mediterranean sun
Three courses we know well, starting with the one closest to the door.
Cabopino Golf Marbella
The local favourite and the closest course to Casa Cabopino Retreat. Eighteen holes in Artola Alta with sea views and pine trees, plus a driving range, putting green and academy. LUMA, at the club, is a good stop for breakfast or lunch afterwards.
Río Real Golf
A classic Marbella golf experience, designed by Javier Arana. The course follows the river towards the Mediterranean and includes holes right by the sea, with a layout that works for different levels of golfer.
Santa Clara Golf Marbella
An eighteen-hole course with wide views towards the Mediterranean and the mountains. Relatively walkable and designed to be enjoyable for mixed abilities, and easy to reach from Marbella East.
Slow beach days
From protected dunes to slow beach days
Artola Dunes and Cabopino Beach
Protected dunes crossed by wooden boardwalks, easy to walk and at their best around golden hour. This is the quieter side of Marbella, with the sand and the sea a few steps beyond the last boardwalk.
Cocoa Beach
Coffee, lunch and a spot on the sand, and the natural place to end the dunes walk.
Chiringuito Las Dunas, Calahonda
A traditional Spanish chiringuito directly on the sand, with fish and seafood grilled fresh on the barbecue. Nothing fancy, just good food with the sea right in front of you. Worth reserving a table in the busier months.
There are also several beach clubs along this stretch of coast if you want a more polished day with lunch and music. Six foldable beach loungers are kept at Casa Cabopino Retreat for guests to take along.
Move & restore
Move, reset and take it slowly
Padel, social runs, hot yoga, recovery and wellness by the sea are all within easy reach. Three places we would start with.
Mind4Life, Playa de Cabopino
Yoga, Pilates and mindful movement right by the beach, with many sessions taking place in the Cabopino beach environment itself. One of the calmest wellness options close to Casa Cabopino Retreat. Check the latest timetable and availability before visiting.
Oxygen Sports & Wellness Club, Calahonda
An open gym with indoor and outdoor training areas, daily group classes, HYROX sessions and padel courts, with healthy food at Byoko inside the club. Easy to combine a workout with a game and a good lunch. Check the latest timetable and availability before visiting.
Tribal Sunday, Artola Baja
A local wellness gathering built around movement, breathwork, an ice bath and a community lunch. It feels much more like a local community experience than a gym or spa visit. Places are limited, so check the latest programme and availability before going.
A little further
Explore a little further
Half a day, a whole day, or just an evening. None of these need a strict itinerary.
Marbella Old Town
Narrow streets, whitewashed houses, small squares and boutiques, with Plaza de los Naranjos at its heart and plenty of places to stop for tapas or dinner. It is at its best after dark, once the day-trippers have left.
Mijas Pueblo
A white village high above the coast, with mountain air, flower-filled corners and viewpoints towards the Mediterranean. Good for a slow afternoon, a long lunch or an early dinner.
Estepona
One of the most inviting old towns on the Costa del Sol: flower-filled streets, pedestrian squares, small boutiques and a promenade that turns a simple visit into a full afternoon. Alma de Miguel, in the pedestrian centre, is a personal favourite.
Benahavís
Inland from Marbella, surrounded by rivers, valleys and mountain trails, with the whitewashed village itself worth staying in for lunch. River and canyon conditions vary through the year, so for unfamiliar or adventurous routes we would always choose a certified guide.
San Pedro de Alcántara
A long, flat seafront promenade made for an easy walk, with a more local and residential feel than Marbella’s busier stretches. Lovely combined with breakfast or a long lunch by the sea.
AquaMijas
A family water park near Fuengirola with slides, a wave pool and dedicated areas for younger children. It is seasonal, so always check the official calendar before going. Children must be supervised around water at all times.
The Casa way: arrive without a strict itinerary. Walk first, eat well, find a view and stay a little longer than you planned.
The Casa way
A local morning ritual
One of our favourite ways to start the day is with a short walk to PY Market for a fresh baguette and a few breakfast essentials. Go early enough and you may catch the last of the sunrise on the way.
PY Market is approximately a 7-minute walk from Casa Cabopino Retreat. The walk back is uphill, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.
Getting around
Closer than you might think
A car gives you the most freedom when exploring Marbella East and the wider Costa del Sol. For dinner and drinks, Uber or a taxi often makes more sense.
- PY MarketApproximately 7 minutes on foot
- Playa de CabopinoApproximately 6 minutes by car
- Cabopino GolfApproximately 8 minutes by car
- Marbella Old TownApproximately 20 minutes by car
- Puerto BanúsApproximately 20 minutes by car
- Málaga AirportApproximately 35 to 45 minutes by car
Travel times are approximate and depend on traffic. Driving times are measured from the Cabopino area; the exact address is shared with confirmed guests. Buses run along the coast and public transport works for simple journeys, but a car is more flexible for most of the places on this page.
Good to know
Questions guests ask before they explore
You can walk through the protected Artola Dunes, spend the day at Playa de Cabopino, visit Puerto de Cabopino, play golf, enjoy restaurants by the sea or explore Marbella East.
A car is recommended for the greatest flexibility, especially for golf courses, day trips and exploring beyond Cabopino. Uber and taxis are useful for dinners and evenings out.
Playa de Cabopino is approximately 2.4 kilometres from Casa Cabopino Retreat and usually takes around 6 minutes by car, depending on traffic. On foot it is around 30 minutes.
Marbella Old Town is usually around 20 minutes away by car, depending on traffic.
Yes. Cabopino Golf is the closest option, with Río Real Golf, Santa Clara Golf Marbella and several other Costa del Sol courses also within reach.
Yes. Nearby options include beaches, the Artola boardwalks, family-friendly restaurants and seasonal attractions such as AquaMijas. Children must always be supervised around water.
Come home slowly
Your private base near Cabopino
After the beach, golf or a day in Marbella, return to three bedrooms, generous outdoor space and your private heated rooftop jacuzzi at Casa Cabopino Retreat.
