sw coast

It gives its name to the main island of Sulcis, in the extreme south-west of Sardinia; once a Phoenician-Carthaginian colony, then a Roman city, today it is a seaside village with a special charm.
A town of coloured houses and restaurants that inebriate the air with inviting scents: the seaside soul of Sant'Antioco. This well-known town of the Sulcis archipelago, populated by eleven thousand residents and tens of thousands of visitors in the summer, is the main centre of the largest island of Sardinia, which is connected by an artificial isthmus, built perhaps by the Carthaginians and completed by the Romans.

Carloforte is the only village on the island of San Pietro and the second largest on the volcanically-formed Sulcis archipelago. It is a Genoese enclave in Sardinia and still maintains the Ligurian language and traditions. The little town was born in 1738 following the concession of the island by King Carlo Emanuele III to a family who had originally come from Pegli, in Liguria but who were resident in Tabarka in Tunisia. They had been transplanted there in the sixteenth century by the Lomellini, the lords of Pegli, to exploit the rich coral reeds lying close to the Tunisian coast, but two centuries later were oppressed by the rulers of Tunisia and had been made slaves. Thus, Carlo Emanuele III granted the Island of San Pietro to Don Bernardino Genoves, the Marquis of the Guard conferring him with the title of Duke of San Pietro, in order to take the island away from the corsairs who had an important back-up point here, ordering the Tarbakans to move to the Sardinian island. From the beginning of 1738 onwards work started on the building of the inhabited centre in wood, following a road layout planned by the engineer, A. De la Vallée, but after a disastrous fire it was rebuilt in brick. 

Cruise to Carloforte 39°08'07.7"N 8°18'44.7"E. The island can be circumnavigated in 20Nm. Stop on the W side of the island.

IGLESIAS

In the south-western corner of Sardinia lies a historic city, rich in cultural attractions, centuries-old traditions and natural beauties spotting the territory.
At one time the town of Iglesias was at the heart of the mining community, but everything has changed now. This is a beautiful historic destination in south-west Sardinia with a rich Spanish culture that buzzes with energy in the summer months. Even in winter it retains its charm and is a quieter place to relax. For visitors to Sardinia some time spent in Iglesias is a wonderful way to experience local culture and hospitality.
On the south-west side of Sardinia one can find the quiet coastal stretches of Costa Verde. With their wild natural beauty and ever restless seas, Costa Verde beaches are some of the most unspoilt beaches of the Mediterranean island.
It is so called due to its very prosperous lentiscus, broom, strawberry tree, juniper vegetation, which runs down from the mountains crossing valleys and sandbanks towards the sea.
Costa Verde (the Green Coast) extends on the South West coast of Sardinia for approximately 47 kilometers, It runs through never ending fabulous beaches, with rocky small bays, dark and impressive cliffs which sheer above the sea and sand deserts with scented Mediterranean maquis.
All around, there are mountains and bushes, shaped by the best sculptor: the wind.


PISCINAS

Considered one of the wonders of the Mediterranean, the beach of Piscinas consists of kilometres of high, sinuous sand dunes, among the highest in Europe, ‘living’ and shaped by the north-westerly mistral wind, stretching from the hinterland to the sea and the home of centuries-old junipers with twisted branches, mastics, sea daffodils and old olive trees that become little woods. An environment that resembles an oriental painting.

This wonderful oasis far from everything, with imposing and sinuous dunes of fine, warm golden sand that reach up to 60 metres in height, is shaped by the mistral winds and extends several kilometres from the hinterland until diving into the boundless and shimmering blue sea. Piscinas 39°32'19.5"N 8°26'45.7"E, a jewel of the Costa Verde - in the territory of Arbus - is like an oriental painting, presenting a breath-taking landscape and a must-see beach on your island holiday, considered by National Geographic as being amongst the most beautiful in the world. After walking along the unpaved and sandy trails, you will suddenly spy the immense and deep golden expanse, extending seven kilometres. The sea and sky merge along the blue horizon, whilst the shimmering sand dunes - declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO - blend with the colours of the Mediterranean scrub. The vegetation grows lush with centuries-old junipers bearing twisted branches, lentisks and olive trees that form small groves and, in spring, violets, sea lilies and sand poppies. Here, the Sardinian deer occasionally roams, whilst the sea turtles lay their eggs on the shore.Its dimensions ensure a tranquil insulation at all times. Not surprisingly, a large stretch (around 800 metres) has officially been determined as the largest natural beach in Europe since 2018.

Try horseback riding on the highest desert dunes of Europe.

SCIVU

Scivu beach (Spiaggia di Scivu), between Piscinas beach and Portixeddu beach on the beautiful coastline of Costa Verde, is a strip of golden sand in an environment that has remained completely untouched. Scivu beach is approximately 3 kilometers long, and is divided by a small reef. Its waters are usually wild and its dunes can reach up to 70 meters. Even in August, few people are to be found on Scivu beach.


BUGGERRU

S. Nicolò Beach stretches along the Costa Verde- Iglesiente section of the island, between the municipalities of Buggerru and Fluminimaggiore. It is a splendid beach of golden sand characterized by a very long, uncontaminated and wild beach bordered by dune formations covered with domestic pines. The sea is crystalline, transparent and with bottoms that gently slope towards the open sea. 


MASUA

The coastal strip that stretches from Nebida, passing through Masua to Cala Domestica, is a unique coastline, a spectacular setting of crystal clear sea with stretches of unspoiled beaches where the solitary coves alternate with more easily accessible beaches, equipped with bars and restaurants. Cala Domestica, Il Molo, Portu Cauli, Portu Banda and Funtanamare are just some examples of beaches that manage to win the heart of each visitor.
In Masua, destinations of numerous swimmers throughout the summer, we find the beautiful beaches of Portu Cauli and the "pier". These beaches are characterized by fine white sand with the presence of rocks in some parts of the beach. They overlook a beautiful crystalline polychromatic sea between the extraordinarily transparent green and blue, able to give emotions to those who practice underwater fishing and snorkeling. Almost opposite you can admire the beautiful Pan di Zucchero stack.

PUTZU IDU

At the base of the great promontory that closes the Gulf of Oristano and the Sinis Protected Area on the central-western coast of Sardinia, between limestone cliffs, there is a long and splendid stretch of sand. The quartz sand is soft and white. The waters offer evocative shades of green and blue that vary according to the light. The seabed is sandy and the waters are shallow for tens of metres.

Putzu Idu is located at the northernmost extremity of the marine area of the Sinis peninsula, just below Capo Mannu, in the territory of San Vero Milis, which is about twenty kilometres away. On the beach, you will have places for dining and refreshments at your disposal, as well as beach equipment rentals and the opportunity to go on trips to the island of Mal di Ventre, located alone in the southeastern area of the promontory

MAL DI VENTRE ISLAND

Off the central-western coast of Sardinia lies an uninhabited island in a special nature reserve; the name hints at its often choppy seas, but its nature and landscape is an enchanting, unique oasis. Originally it was named MaluEntu, now known as Mal di Ventre. Named for its persistent winds, especially north wind, that often make for dangerous sailing around it. However, the remains of a nuraghe, other ruins and wells for collecting water show that the island was once inhabited. Reached from the ports in the Oristano gulf, it is five miles from Capo Mannu and is part of the Sinis peninsula marine area, in the territory of Cabras, which also includes the nearby Catalano rock.
Mal di Ventre is a flat expanse of granite, two and a half kilometres long and one kilometre at its widest. The lighthouse that dominates the island is placed at its highest point, just 20 metres above sea level.The "table" of 85 hectares, covered by arid steppe dotted with Mediterranean brush, is populated by rabbits and turtles. Monk seals are rumoured to have been seen. The island is a strategic stop-over for various nesting birds: Eleonora's falcon, shags, Mediterranean shags, short-tailed shearwaters and gulls.