Free walking tours in Cala Gonone and what to see

Must-sees

Cala Gonone is a hamlet of Dorgali, on the east coast of Sardinia, running down a steep slope to the Gulf of Orosei. It began as a small fishing harbour and is now the base for exploring a coast of limestone cliffs plunging into the sea. In the village there are beaches such as Palmasera, the harbour the boats leave from and a modern aquarium, a good visit if you have children.

The classic outing is by boat to the south: the Grotte del Bue Marino, with stalactites and an underground saltwater lake, and the beach of Cala Luna, between cliffs and oleanders. Cala Luna can also be reached by a demanding path from the village. To the north are Cala Cartoe and Cala Osalla. Inland, Dorgali has an old town of volcanic stone and an archaeological museum, and in the Lanaittu valley lies the nuraghic village of Tiscali.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours in Cala Gonone, because almost everything worth seeing is at sea. Civitatis offers speedboat and boat trips around the Gulf of Orosei, dolphin and whale watching, scuba and snorkelling outings, and entry to the aquarium. The Grotte del Bue Marino are visited with a guide when you arrive by boat. For Tiscali and the Supramonte, the usual approach is a guided hike.

How long to spend

Allow at least three days. One for the boat trip around the gulf, with the caves and Cala Luna; another for the village beaches and the aquarium; and another for the interior, with Dorgali and the Lanaittu valley. If you like walking, add another day for the hike to Cala Luna or the climb to Tiscali. Bear in mind that many tourist services close in winter.

Where to stay

The most convenient choice is to stay in Cala Gonone, in the lower part by the harbour and the beach, where there are hotels, apartments and guesthouses with everything within walking distance. Higher up the slope you will find hotels with views over the gulf, although the hills are steep. Dorgali, about ten minutes away by car through the tunnel, has rural houses and gentler prices, and is a good base if you also want to explore the interior.