Artola offers three distinct points of interest to help you plan your trip: the Dunas de Artola, a natural monument; Torre Ladrones, a watchtower beside the dunes; and the Cabopino Golf Marbella course in Artola Alta. These three themes each have a different focus: protected landscape, cultural heritage and golf. These differences can help you choose the focus of your stay according to your interests.
Dune landscape and plant life
The Dunas de Artola cover 19.27 hectares and are designated as a natural monument. The landscape features include beach dunes that are somewhat mobile, inactive mobile dunes, and stationary fossil dunes. The terms therefore distinguish between dunes that move to some extent, inactive mobile forms, and fossil, stationary forms. This makes it possible to describe the landscape more precisely than the general term “dunes” alone.
The vegetation is also specifically identified: it includes marram grass, sea holly, the fragrant sea daffodil and shrubs of the species Sabina caudada. For nature enthusiasts, these plants add another aspect to the natural monument, complementing its different dune forms.
A municipal notice dated 7 June 2026 reports the complete replacement of 500 linear metres of wooden boardwalk at the Dunas de Artola. As infrastructure conditions can change, check them before your visit.
Torre Ladrones: watchtower beside the dunes
Torre Ladrones is a military watchtower beside the Dunas de Artola and is designated as an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural). Its square ground plan, the shape of a truncated pyramid, three floors and a terrace give the structure a clearly described architectural form. Alongside its location, the building’s design and cultural heritage are central to this site.
Historically, the tower was used to warn of enemy landings: smoke signals were used during the day and light signals at night. The change in signals according to the time of day makes the tower’s former warning function easy to picture and complements its architectural description with its military role.
Golf in Artola Alta
Cabopino Golf Marbella is an 18-hole golf course in Artola Alta, measuring 5,170 metres. It was designed by Juan Ligues Creus. Its location, number of holes, length and designer are therefore stated as specific details. Golf is thus a distinct focus for your trip, alongside the dune landscape and the cultural heritage of Torre Ladrones.
Information about Artola/Cabopino Beach
At Artola/Cabopino Beach, supervised sea bathing is available with amphibious chairs. Advance reservation is required, and visitors must follow the instructions of the staff in charge. If you plan to use this bathing assistance, book in advance and follow the instructions on site.
Railings make it easier for people who need them to access the water, without requiring them to request bathing assistance. These are two different forms of help: bathing assistance with amphibious chairs, which must be reserved, and railings to support access to the water. This allows you to take the beach assistance that is relevant to your plans into account.
Discover more destinations: Puerto Banus, Las Chapas, Urbanización Nueva Andalucía, Elviria, San Pedro De Alcántara.
Return to the main travel overview: Marbella.
