The port of Cabopino, to the east of Marbella, in Andalusia, is rather inconspicuous compared to the other nearby heavyweights of Puerto Banus and Benalmadena. Indeed it’s hard to imagine Sean Connery mooring his 12 million dollar baby or spotting King Fahd’s monster yacht sailing in. But the fact that Cabopino is still somewhat of a secret along the Costa del Sol is makes it so appealing…
Cabopino Port by night
On my visits, what strikes me most is the jolliness of the port. A backdrop of palms, plant life and blue sky adds a colourful touch to the contented sounds of visitors enjoying a spot of lunch at one of the inviting bars and eateries dotted along the attractive harbour side.
Visitors are certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to dining in Cabopino. The flamboyant Albert’s on the Port is a particularly popular restaurant and somewhat of an institution in Cabopino. The menu is extensive and as their mission statement read ‘if you don’t see what you like, ask us”. How could you refuse the challenge! With its kitsch interior and splendid terrace enveloped with tropical plants, Albert’s is a winner at any time of the year.
If you to just chill out in the sun and enjoy a coffee, take a stroll over to Cafeteria Vainilla (Vanilla), at the far side of the port. This colourful heladeria (ice cream parlour) is so bright and cheerful with its interior of mosaic and an attractive grassed terrace. It’s a fab place to watch the world go by. Try asking for asking for a café cortado (a shot of coffee with a dash of milk), with a dollop of ice cream, a personal favourite of mine.
Behind the harbour lies a charming cobbled plaza, encircled with an assortment of jolly cafés and petite restaurants. La Plaza Bar is a favourite haunt for regulars to Cabopino and offers a cosy interior with comfy sofas where you can sit back and watch live sport on the TV. Everyone seems to know everyone in La Plaza; I imagine they have been frequenting the bar for many years and I can understand why.
The beaches surrounding Cabopino are backed by sand dunes and pine trees.
As small as it might be, Cabopino has heaps to offer. It’s not just a harbour. The surrounding golden, sandy beaches are clean, safe and amongst the best on the coast. The main beach, to the right of the harbour, is a real winner. There are plenty of beds and sun shades and two busy chiringuitos. Lonja is my favourite. They make a near perfect Sangria! The buzzy terrace is a wonderful spot for chilling out with a glass of this fruity refreshment and a plate of sardines or paella.
There is a great atmosphere here in the summer, and the beach is perfect for families. Others make the most of the water sport scene in and around Cabopino. It can be quite windy on days and when it picks up, the kite surfers head to Cabopino to catch ‘the big air’!
Mountain-side Cabopino has just as much to offer. The famous Da Bruno’s Italian restaurant sits at the roundabout as you journey across from the beach. The spacious outdoor terrace, with its cabana-style bar and water display, is a delightful setting for dinner on a warm spring evening.
Cabopino is also home to its own golf course, and the local golf scene, is some of the best on the coast. Cabopino Golf is a wonderfully scenic course with lakes and a pine backdrop. The greens are large and in excellent condition. There is also a driving range for those who want to enjoy a bit of practice before heading on to the course. Check out our guide to the Best Golf Courses in Spain.
Most of the accommodation in Cabopino is made up of self-catering apartments and villas. Although there is also a caravan park on the mountain-side close to the golf and Da Bruno’s. I have heard that the caravan park’s restaurants makes the best English Breakfast on the coast!
Although Louis Vuitton and Armani haven’t quite moved in yet, Cabopino has much to offer. It’s a very low key with its own identity: a place that you can identify with and with boats that you can aspire to own one day in the near, or not so near future.
Read up further on Cabopino Port in our holiday guide or jump straight in and search for self-catering accommodation in Cabopino.
Image credits @FlickR: Montuno / wwilliamm /
