Gulf of Orosei & Cala Gonone

A seaside village on Sardinia's east coast and the departure point for boat trips to stunning coves beneath white limestone cliffs—Sardinia's most famous stretch of coastline.

The Gulf of Orosei lies in the middle of Sardinia's east coast, in the province of Nuoro, stretching from the town of Orosei in the north south to the coast of Baunei. Along some 40 km of shoreline, limestone cliffs plunge straight into the sea, hiding a string of white-pebble coves reachable only by boat or on foot. It is Sardinia's most spectacular coastline and part of the Gennargentu National Park. Cala Gonone is the base for exploring the gulf: daily scheduled ferries and guided boat tours leave from its harbour, and you can also rent a small boat (no licence required) to explore on your own. The classic boat route takes in the Grotta del Bue Marino, Cala Luna, Cala Sisine, Cala Biriola and Cala Mariolu, with a view of the limestone pinnacle at Cala Goloritzé from the water. Cala Goloritzé can only be reached on foot, hiking down from the Golgo plateau, and booking is required in high season. Inland lies the heartland of Sardinian shepherd culture: Gorropu Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in Europe; the Nuragic village of Tiscali, hidden inside a collapsed sinkhole; the Su Gologone spring; the Ispinigoli Cave; and the mountain village of Orgosolo, its walls covered in political murals. Be sure to try roast suckling pig and Cannonau red wine. The best time to visit is June–September, when boat services run in full and the sea is warmest, though August is the busiest and most expensive month; May and October are mild and good for hiking, with somewhat fewer boats. In winter the boats stop running and the coves can only be reached on foot. Getting there: the nearest airport is Olbia (about 100 km, a 1.5-hour drive), or it's about 3 hours by car from Cagliari. Public transport is scarce, so renting a car is strongly recommended. Plan to stay 3–4 days: 1–2 days on boat trips, 1 day hiking to Cala Goloritzé or Gorropu Gorge, and 1 day for inland archaeological sites and mountain villages. Note: most coves have no shade or facilities, so bring your own water, food and sun protection; the hiking trails are steep and hot, so set off early in the morning.

Top sights

• Cala Goloritzé – A small bay guarded by white limestone spires and arches, with water shading from light to deep blue. It is rated one of Europe's most beau…
• Cala Mariolu – One of the bluest bays in the Gulf of Orosei. The white pebble beach and blue-green water contrast sharply, making it a must-stop on boat t…
• Cala Luna – A crescent-shaped beach at a canyon mouth. One side is an oleander-lined valley and the other has sea caves you can walk into. It is a film…
• Gola di Gorropu – One of Europe's deepest canyons, with limestone walls up to 500 m high and a narrowest point only a few metres wide. Hiking through the bou…
• Tiscali Nuragic Village – The ruins of a Nuragic-era village hidden inside a huge collapsed sinkhole on the summit of Mount Tiscali. Reaching it on foot makes the ex…
• Grotta del Bue Marino – A sea cave named after the Mediterranean monk seals (locally called 'sea oxen') that once lived here, with stalactites and an underground b…
• Su Gologone Spring – Sardinia's largest karst spring, with emerald water welling up through limestone cracks, more than 100 meters deep, and an Italian natural…
• Orgosolo Murals – A mountain village whose street walls bear more than 150 political and social murals on herders' struggles and world events, Sardinia's mos…
• Cala Gonone Village & Harbour – The gateway to the Gulf of Orosei, where a seaside promenade links the harbour, beaches and restaurants, and nearly every gulf boat tour de…
• Cala Fuili – A pebbly cove at the mouth of a gorge, reached by car and then a set of steps, with clear water and the starting point for the hike to Cala…
• Cala Biriola – A white-pebble cove beneath cliffs, with emerald water and a small stone arch at its mouth, a quiet bay where boat tours often stop.
• Cala Sisine – A broad bay at the mouth of a gorge, with a mix of fine sand and pebbles, a shaded green valley behind, and a small snack bar, suitable for…
• Cala dei Gabbiani – A white-pebble bay on the south side of Cala Mariolu, with deep blue-green water beneath the cliffs, fewer visitors than neighboring bays…
• Cala Cartoe – A white-sand bay about 8 km north of Cala Gonone that can be reached by car, backed by pine forest and green valleys, with shallow water su…
• Grotta di Ispinigoli – A large cave with Europe's second-tallest stalagmite, a 38-meter column rising from the floor to the ceiling, where Nuragic-era ritual reli…
• Serra Orrios Nuragic Village – A well-preserved Nuragic village site, with more than seventy round stone houses grouped around two temples, and guided explanations of Sar…
• Nuraghe Mannu – A Nuragic stone tower and village ruins built on a sea-cliff terrace, overlooking the Gulf of Orosei, a few minutes' drive from Cala Gonone.
• Golgo Plateau & Su Sterru – A limestone plateau atop the Baunei mountains, with a 270-meter-deep sinkhole and a small chapel, and the starting point for hikes to Golor…
• Biderosa – A nature reserve beach north of Orosei, where pine forests and Mediterranean scrub reach the sea, with five small bays of clear water and l…
• Orosei Old Town – A historic town at the northern end of the gulf, with stone alleys containing more than a dozen churches. The colorful tiled domes of the C…
• Dorgali – A hill town that is the parent municipality of Cala Gonone, known for handmade rugs, gold and silver jewelry and red wine, with an archaeol…

Where to eat

• Su Gologone – A legendary countryside restaurant at the foot of the mountains above Oliena, opened in 1967 and recommended by the Mic…
• Il Pescatore – A family seafood restaurant on the Cala Gonone seafront, opened in 1970 and listed in the Michelin Guide, popular for i…
• Ispinigoli Restaurant – A long-established family restaurant beside the Ispinigoli cave, opened in 1977, known for traditional Barbagia dishes…
• Agriturismo Nuraghe Mannu – A farm stay beside the Nuraghe Mannu archaeological site, serving a single fixed dinner menu with roast suckling pig co…
• Il Nuovo Gabbiano – An old-established seafood restaurant and pizzeria right across from the Cala Gonone harbor, a popular choice for a mea…

Itineraries

• Corsica & Sardinia Two-Island Self-Drive – Drive south from Bastia across Corsica, cross the sea to northeast Sardinia, and travel via the Emerald Coast to the Gu…
• Sardinia Grand Loop Road Trip – Fly into Cagliari and out of Olbia, journeying from the Nuragic ruins to La Maddalena and the Gulf of Orosei.
• Gulf of Orosei & Supramonte – An eastern coast route from Olbia to Cagliari, featuring white cliffs, deep gorges, and ancient Nuragic villages.