Many know the beautiful beaches of Sardinia and in particular the famous beach of Pelosa nearby Stintino. It is true that this area also contains other more or less known places, but certainly worth a visit.
Here the 10 things to see in Stintino and Alghero!
Beaches of Pelosa and Pelosetta
The Pelosa beach is certainly the main and most famous attraction of Stintino. A strip of white sand, overlooking a crystalline sea with a thousand shades of blue and green.
Need more? Certainly, to crown the panorama is a historic Aragonese tower of 1578, located on a small island in front of a smaller stretch of beach contiguous to the main beach: the Pelosetta beach.
If you want to swim to the turret, remember to watch out for the numerous sea urchins that populate the rocks. It is forbidden to climb the tower, even if the tourists who do it are always numerous. A curiosity: wild garlic plants are all around the tower.
Anyone wishing to enjoy a breathtaking view and take magnificent photos can go to the terrace located above the Pelosetta or climb the road leading to Capo Falcone, on the most northerly point of Sardinia.
From Capo Falcone it is possible to enjoy the view of the dual nature of the sea: calm and tranquil at Pelosa, agitated and moved by the external side overlooking the cliff.
Saline Beach
If you want to rest on a less crowded beach and don’t like spending hours shaking off the sand, the Saline beach is the place for you. It is a stretch of white pebble beach, which stretches for several tens of meters.
The name of the place is not random: you can see the ponds with the salt marshes right behind the beach. If you are lucky (but it is quite frequent) you can also meet flamingos!
Continuing on the beach of the Saline towards Porto Torres you arrive at Ezzi Mannu, a “big beach” (“mannu” in Sardinian means “big”) that streatcht untill Porto Torres.
Cala Lupo and Punta Negra
Lovers of peaceful and hidden places will find their dimension in the area of Cala Lupo and Punta Negra. It is a series of coves inserted in the stretch that spreads along the road between the center of Stintino and La Pelosa. It is possible to walk all the way through a path that runs along the sea (about 30 minute walk).
Look for the rocky spur that comes out of the water and you will understand the origin of the name “punta negra”.
The center of Stintino
The center of Stintino, a fishing village, certainly deserves a visit, after a beautiful day at the beach. You can admire the low and colorful houses, the small lighthouse, the big port (mannu) and small (minori), dine in the excellent fish restaurants or have a drink in the bars on the promenade.
The Asinara Park
The Asinara National Park is a protected natural area, accessible only by authorized means or excursions. Stintino is surely the most comfortable place to go towards its exploration.
The name already suggests what can be found on this island: donkeys. But these are not just any donkeys, but the famous white donkeys, which contrary to what one might think, are not a particular breed, but albino donkeys. Because of this, it is common to find them hidden in the shade (the light bothers them) or dazed by heat and sun.
But don’t worry: they are the oldest residents of the island.
Asinara there are not jut donkeys but also a rich marine and terrestrial fauna. There is also a sea turtle conservation center, where you can learn different information about these animals.
On top of that, the island has wonderful landscapes, beaches and… prisons! Yes, because some of the worst prisoners in the past years (including Totina) have been locked up on this wonderful island (now it would probably be the dream of many!).
But let’s follow the itinerary.
The ferries to the Asinara usually arrive at Fornelli landing place and from there we proceed to visit the rest of the island. Following the road we come to the Fornelli prison, where it is possible to visit the inside and the prisoners’ cells.
Continuing along the scenic route, you can admire from far away Cala Sant’Andrea, a splendid protected beach whose visit is strictly forbidden. Then we reach Cala di Sgombro, the narrowest point of the island, where the two seas are visible: on one side the coast is irregular and the sea is rough, on the other it is sandy and the sea is calm.
Continue to the donkey breeding center, where if you are lucky you can meet Severino, the island’s oldest donkey. At this point the road crosses the coast winding along a scenic route that passes by Cala Reale and then by Cala d’Oliva and has a number of dreamy beaches, including Cala Sabina and Cala d’Arena. Most excursions include a stop in one of these two paradises.
Snorkeling is definitely one of the recommended activities for not losing the marine flora and fauna.
Visit the park site for information about authorized excursion and on the best means of getting to know the island.
Alghero
The name Alghero probably derives from the word “alga” (seeweed), with reference to the quantity of posidonia present in this area (even if its origin is still mysterious) and who is passionate about the region of Catalunia will certainly find some nice similarities in this city.
The center with its streets full of shops and churches certainly deserves a visit, as well as the seaside promenade above the ramparts.
From Alghero leave all the ferry excursions to reach Capo Caccia and the Neptune caves.
Capo Caccia
Capo Caccia is a rocky promontory reachable by land or by sea: both choices offer different but breathtaking views. Around the promontory there are rocky cliffs and islets, including Foradada island, so called because of the hole in the center.
From the highest point of Capo Caccia the begins the stairway to reach the Caves of Neptune. If you move by sea instead the ferry docks directly inside the caves.
Caves of Neptune
These beautiful caves have bizarre formations of stalactites and stalagmites that appear on an extremely suggestive underground path. A tip for visiting the caves is to bring a sweater with you, because the thermal shock with the outside (especially in the summer) can be significant.
The beaches nearby Alghero
Those who stay in Alghero and cannot reach Stintino or want to stay in the area will certainly find a very valid alternative in the Bombarde and Lazzaretto beaches.
Sardinian cuisine
The last reason (but not in order of importance) for which this area of Sardinia is worth visiting is the food. Here are some of the delicacies of the area:
- Malloreddus alla campidanese: dumplings served with sausage sauce
- Culurgiones: ricotta and mint dumplings
- Porceddu: roasted pig
- Sighs: biscuits of different tastes (fruit, almonds, etc.)
- Tirichiddi: sweets stuffed with grape must
- Seadas: a bundle of fried cheese covered in honey
- Papassini: raisin, almond or hazelnut sweets
- Casadinas: ricotta and cheese desserts
- Bread carasau: very thin and crunchy bread disk
Do not miss the burnt cream, a specialty served in the Stintino ice cream parlor, very similar to the Catalan cream (alternatively the ice cream is also delicious!).
Obviously in this area there are also several fish dishes, such as spaghetti with seafood or bottarga.
Author’s BIO
Federica Bisio is a fierce traveler, as well as a great art lover. In life she deals with data analysis and computer security, but as soon as she can she gets on a plane to discover the world. Her favorite destinations include cities of art, natural scenery and beaches.
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