ITINERARIES: EAST COAST OF SARDINIA

CAGLIARI

Once you're in Cagliari, you can treat yourself to a tour of the city. Reach the walls of Castello and look out to admire an unmissable sunset: on one side is the sea, on the other are the salt pans, the Pond of Molentargius and the pink of its flamingos. For dinner, you can have fresh fish in the numerous taverns and restaurants. After the meal you can spend the rest of the night in one of the many clubs in the city, or instead take a walk along the Lungomare del Poetto. 

MARINA DI CAPITANA

The region of Capitana is characterised by small but beautiful beaches, about ten metres long on average. Here, moreover, there is a marina protected by two piers, one larger and L-shaped, the other smaller and rectilinear. The hamlet is served by all the main services.

POETTO

This is the beach of Cagliari. Eight kilometres of white sand and crystalline sea, which extend to the town of Quartu, dominated by the promontory of the Sella del Diavolo. 

The name of the beach is thought to derive from an Aragonese tower called "del Poeta" (of the Poet). 

MARE PINTAU

Unmissable landing in the beautiful cove, characterised by a sandy bottom, crystal-clear water and a contrast of colours and shades which is so vivid it almost seems like it was painted ("pintau" in Sardinian, in fact). With the tender you can reach the edge of the pebble beach to refuel at the local bar.

TORRE DELLE STELLE

A village which stands on a promontory along the coastal road which leads from Cagliari to Villasimius, in the south-east of Sardinia. It is the coastal area of the Municipalities of Maracalagonis and Sinnai, a favourite destination for the inhabitants of Cagliari who own most of the villas here.

It has two beautiful beaches of fine white sand, Genn'e Mari and Cann'eSisa. The waters of the sea are of medium depth and a blue-green colour, with a thousand shades. A beautiful nighttime view, with the promontory dotted with lights. 

CAPO CARBONARA

The promontory of Capo Carbonara acts as a watershed between the bay of Villasimius and the GolfodegliAngeli of Cagliari. On both sides of the promontory there are several tourist resorts. On the west coast: the small port of Villasimius with the beach, the remains of an ancient fortress with the ancient tower, Punta Santo Stefano, which serves as the westernmost extension of the promontory, and the town of Santa Caterina with its inlet. On the east coast: the beach of Istraias, the splendid beach of Porto Giunco, the Pond of Notteri with its pink flamingos, the Torre di Porto Giunco and the pebble beach of Cava Usai (a granite quarry which was abandoned in the 1950s). On the promontory there is also a signalling lighthouse and an Air Force meteorological station.

In front of Capo Carbonara, about 800 metres to the south-east, stands Cavoli Island. The marine area in front of Capo Carbonara, together with the Cavoli and Serpentara islands, are part of the protected natural marine area of Capo Carbonara. (www.ampcapocarbonara.it).

Scuba diving is prohibited in all three quadrants of the area without approval from the marine protected area. Furthermore, navigation and bathing are also prohibited in quadrant A. Therefore, to avoid damage to the delicate local ecosystem and very high fines, it is essential to stay outside the prohibited areas.

COSTA REY

The coastal village of Muravera, Costa Rei, also known as ReyCoast, is an important recently formed tourist settlement. It entirely overlooks a splendid and unspoilt coast, which offers its guests Caribbean sceneries made of white sands and crystal-clear sea. 

Among the 7 kilometres of coastline full of kiosks, intimate unmissable coves and sublime beaches, the beach called Peppino stands out, with its characteristic rock lying on warm and clear water mirrors, which look something like enchanting natural pools. On the horizon you can see the island of Serpentara, easily accessible through a guided excursion, which is an integral part of the Capo Carbonara Marine Park. 

PORTO CORALLO

A must if, starting from Villasimius, you feel the need to stop before heading along the Ogliastra coast. 

ARBATAX

The first landing on the wonderful coast of Ogliastra, the most impressive and wildest part of Sardinia, full of picture-postcard ravines, such as Cala Luna and Sisine, Cala Goloritzé, the Grotta del Bue Marino. The port is located in the village. 

SANTA MARIA NAVARRESE

Not far from Arbatax, it is the starting point for the discovery of the Gulf of Ogliastra. Since June 2005 the local Baunei Marina has been equipped with the "Pequod", a lift which allows disabled people to access the boats, making it the "first accessible port" in Sardinia. 

On land, a walk in the village will be an immersion in friendliness, among the scents of the Mediterranean scrub and among the gastronomic delicacies which have made Ogliastra famous.