Torre Ladrones, Historical watchtower in Puerto de Cabopino, Marbella, Spain.
Torre Ladrones is a coastal watchtower near Marbella that rises approximately 15 meters above sea level beside the Artola dunes. The stone structure contains three interior rooms and provides access to a rooftop level offering views of the Mediterranean and surrounding shoreline.
The tower was built during Arab rule and later became part of a defensive network established after the Catholic Monarchs conquered the Kingdom of Granada. This transformation from an Arab structure to a Christian-controlled fortification marks a key transition in the region's past.
The tower served as a crucial communication point in a network of coastal defenses that protected trading routes and settlements. Today it stands as a monument to the maritime vigilance that shaped Mediterranean life for centuries.
The three interior rooms and rooftop are accessible to visitors, offering views across the coast and sea. Allow time to explore the different levels and take in the surrounding landscape from above.
The tower was strategically placed to relay signals between other watchtowers along the coastline. This signaling system allowed messages about approaching North African ships to spread quickly across long distances.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.