9 GREAT REASONS TO VISIT CALA GONONE

2 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

BIKING

Cala Gonone is a paradise for outdoor activities. Rent a bike and tour the village from side-to-side before reaching some incredible beaches, like Cala Fuili. You get to that triangle of white pebbles at the end of a high canyon by passing by an array of lovely beaches hidden from sight. You can stop along the panoramic road and descend to the sea to explore each one of them.

If you are an experienced biker, you may reach Cala Cartoe on the other side of the village after biking for 10 km over the high mountain protecting Cala Gonone to the North.

CLIMBING

If you are a climber, you’ll love Cala Gonone. More than 24 climbing spots with difficulty ranging from an easy 3 to a hard 8c make Cala Gonone – together with Ulassai – a climbing mecca.

Get a local guide to help you reach the spots and advise you on the state of the nails as many are inox 314 and susceptible to breaking.

TREKKING

Cala Gonone is the arriving (or starting) point of the most beautiful – and hardest – trekking path in all of Italy. Seven legs that go through the sea portion of the National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and are collectively called Wild Blue.

Of course, there are easier trekking paths all around and the whole area will reward you with amazing panoramas. Walk from Cala Gonone to Cala Luna for a full immersion in nature – you can get a boat ride from the beach on your way back. Or trek down a beautiful path to Cala Goloritzè, one of the top ten Natural Monuments of Sardinia.

KAYAKING

If you have ever kayaked in your life, you know it’s always great. Around Cala Gonone even more so. High cliffs jump into the water in all sorts of shapes and colours. Small beaches open up in remote locations. And you’ll also come across grottoes worth stopping for – like those of Bue Marino.

3 NATURAL WONDERS

GORROPU

Just 20 km from Cala Gonone you can walk your way to the depth of the impressive Canyon of Gorropu, the deepest canyon in Europe.

SUPRAMONTE

Part of the National Park of the Gulf of Orosei, you can explore the vast karstic plateau with the help of a guide. Get to know the manyfold plant varieties – some unique to this area – and observe the animal wildlife.

You can rest and even dine with local food specialities at one of the many Pinnettas – shepherds huts made of stone and covered with wood, in a shape similar to ancient Nuragic houses.

4 BOATING

Get a boat and discover why this part of Sardinia has been used as a set location for several movies. You can travel north to some great beaches made of fine white sand. Or travel south to the wonderful beaches of the National Park of the Gulf of Orosei. Small pearls sitting in a crown of white cliffs covered with Mediterranean vegetation.

5 GROTTOES

ISPINIGOLI

Descend the 280 steps to the base of a giant stalactite that has merged with a stalagmite to form a column 40 metres high. Visit the vast hall – 80 metres of diagonal length – and the Virgins’ Abyss, a 60 metres deep channel used in ancient times by Nuragics, Punics and Romans.

BUE MARINO

Visit the first kilometre of the longest viable grotto in Italy – 76 km of underground paths. Walk by one of the largest underground salt lakes in the world – 1 sq km of surface -to arrive at the Monk Seal beach, where until the 1960s baby seals were born. Watch some paintings depicting the adoration of the sun (supposedly) that Sardinian people designed on the walls around 3.000 BC.

You can buy the entry ticket at the marina of Cala Gonone. In fact, the most convenient way of reaching the grotto is by boat. However, you can also choose to get there on a 60 minutes trekking path along the coast. Before you do that, make sure the sea conditions are favourable for a grotto visit by asking at the tourist information desk at the marina.

6 ARCHAEOLOGY

Archaeology and history lovers rejoice, for there is plenty to explore in and around Cala Gonone.

SERRA ORRIOS

Head to Serra Orrios to explore one of the best preserved proto-urban settlements of the Nuragic people who lived in Sardinia about 5.000 years ago. Get impressed by the well-designed structure of the complex, which includes two megaron megalithic temples, a large temple, a meeting hall, and over 100 stone houses.

DORGALI MUSEUM

Head to the museum to explore the fine objects retrieved at Serra Orrios and in other archaeological sites around town to get a feeling for the kind of life that Nuragic people led in Sardinia 5.000 years ago.

NURAGHE MANNU

Get impressed by the breathtaking panorama as did the Nuragic people first and the Romans later. The former decided to place a fortress here to shelter traders coming from the mountains and going to Nuraghe Arvu, close to the beach. In fact, 5.000 years ago Nuragic people used to sell precious metals, wine and oil in exchange for amber, pearls, and cloths.

The Romans then decided to build a small garrison over the Nuragic village to prevent sea exchanges between sea traders and the Sardinian people they intended to rule in the internal part of the island.

NURAGHE ARVU

Tour this interesting site that lately has been undergoing restructuring. It was the exchange place for all trades to and from the central part of Sardinia and the Etrurian (Tuscany) and Phoenicians (Lebanon).

TISCALI

A long walk some km from Cala Gonone will take you to the last stronghold of the Nuragic people. A hidden village built under a magnificent arc of stone that will leave you speechless.

7 RESTAURANTS PROMENADE

Whatever you do during the day, it’s during the evening that you will appreciate staying in Cala Gonone even more.

The sea-front promenade is home to a large array of al-fresco restaurants, pizzerias and pubs serving first-class food.

Walk a few steps and taste some artisanal gelato or stop and enjoy the night by listening to live music while sipping a cocktail.

8 AQUARIUM

Cala Gonone’s might be small but it’s the best Aquarium in Sardinia.

Get a closer look at Mediterranean rare fishes and sea plants as well as some other exotic varieties.

Opt for the guided tour in English with a marine biologist to get the most out of your visit.

Check out times and prices at AcquarioCalaGonone.it

9 SHOPPING

Head to nearby Dorgali town centre for a morning stroll among local artisans’ shops. Browse through handmade gold and silver jewellery, paintings, handmade cork utensils for your kitchen, handmade leather bags – they are truly a bargain – and even Pattadese knives. These are handmade knives made out mouflon or goat horns that in Sardinian traditions were gifted to seal a true friendship. In fact, whoever was presenting the open knife, did so by holding it with the blade against himself, in a gesture of complete trust.

Before leaving, make a stop at the local winery’s shop to take with you some of the best wines in Sardinia at bargain prices.

On the other hand, at night you can stroll along the sea-front promenade in Cala Gonone and browse the stands of young artists selling anything from jewellery to beach clothing.

BONUS – JAZZ FESTIVAL

During the last ten days in July, Cala Gonone also hosts a lively Jazz festival adding yet another great reason for visiting.

On the other hand, if you love jazz and are visiting in August, check out the greatest Sardinian jazz festival.

VIDEO EXPERIENCE

Two rock climbers experience life in Cala Gonone in autumn to connect with the quiet life and some Sardinian shepherds.