Top 13 things to see and do in Cala Gonone

Cala Luna is a bay with 800 meters of fine sand and crystal clear waters, ideal for snorkeling and diving. Here, è you can rest in one of its caves or, if you are a diving enthusiast, explore the relitto del Nasello, a fishing boat sunk during World War II.

To visit Cala Luna you can choose to take a boat tour from Cala Gonone, which includes visits to other famous coves such as Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzé.

Alternatively, it is possible to reach Cala Luna on foot by following a path of about 6 km that starts from Cala Fuili, which can be walked in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

If you are in Cala Gonone, you cannot miss a boat ride among Sardinia's best-known coves, such as Cala Mariolu, Cala Luna, Cala Biriola and many others.

We suggest some excursions that will allow you to visit the most famous coves, with prices ranging from 25€ to 125€ per person:

• Minicruise by motorboat from Cala Gonone with bathroom stops (book HERE)
• Boat excursion with aperitif on board from Cala Gonone (book HERE)
• Minicruise by sailboat from Cala Gonone to the Gulf of Orosei (book HERE)

You can opt for half-day or full-day excursions, with bathroom stops and the possibility of an aperitif on board based on local products

The Sea Ox Caves, in the Gulf of Orosei, stretch for 15 kilometers (15 miles) and are named after the monk seal, once called "sea ox" because of its ox-like cry. Every year, the caves host the Cala Gonone Jazz Festival.

The entrance to the Caves is located three kilometers from Cala Luna. Inside, you can explore the south branch with stalactites, stalagmites and Neolithic rock carvings. The price of a guided tour of the Caves is 10€ for adults and 5€ for children.

The Caves are accessible daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and you can reach them from Cala Gonone with a boat ride priced 25€ per person that includes bathroom stops and an aperitif on board

In the Gulf of Orosei another renowned cove is Cala Fuili, characterized by white pebbles and turquoise waters. It is easily accessible by land from Cala Gonone and is one of the few beaches in the area that can be reached by car.

Cala Fuili is perfect for those who enjoy hiking, with trails leading to Cala Luna or the Bue Marino Caves. Alternatively, you can opt for boat tours from the ports of Arbatax, Cala Gonone, Orosei and Santa Maria Navarrese.

The beach is also famous for the Codula Fuili Canyon, just behind the cove, which is ideal for rock climbing, suitable even for beginners

TheCala Gonone Aquarium, opened in 2010, will let you explore the diverse marine habitats of the Mediterranean with its 26 display tanks, observing species such as jellyfish, snappers, dogfish sharks, trumpet fish, moray eels and many others.

The open sea tank, the largest, also houses a loggerhead turtle. There are also tanks dedicated to piranhas and fascinating species from tropical seas. You can finally end your visit by petting stingrays, urchins, starfish and hermit crabs in the touch tank.

The aquarium is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the ticket price is €12 for adults and €8 for children aged 4 to 12, while admission is free for children under 4

The Archaeological Museum of Dorgali tells the archaeological history of the area from the Neolithic to the modern age.

The museum is organized in three rooms, where you can find artifacts from archaeological excavations of the Bue Marino Caves, the village of Serra Orrios, and the Ispinigoli Cave. In addition, here you can visit the famous Nuraghe Mannu and the nuragic site of Tiscali.

The museum is open daily from 09:00 to 19:00 at a price of €3 per person for adults and €1.50 for children aged 6 to 13. Admission is free for children under 6 years old

Cala Mariolu, voted the beauthest beach in Europe, è also known as "Is Puligi de Nie" (the snow fleas) for its characteristic pink and white pebbles. The beach is distinguished by its colorful hues and the high cliff that surrounds it.

The shallow waters of Cala Mariolu are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. In addition, è you can spot dolphins offshore and nearby you can explore the Fico Cave and several coves, including Cala Luna.

To reach Cala Mariolu by land è requires a challenging trek from the Golgo plateau, recommended only for experienced hikers. The most convenient way to get to the cove è via sea, with a'boat trip from Arbatax, Cala Gonone and Santa Maria Navarrese.

Cala dei Gabbiani, whose name comes from the numerous seagulls that find shelter there at sunset, is located on the Baunei Coast and is very similar to the nearby Cala Mariolu, thanks to its waters shaded in green and blue and 500-meter-high rock walls.

On the beach of Cala dei Gabbiani one can enjoy swimming, snorkeling and diving to explore the seabed rich in marine fauna.

The cove can be reached by boat or, for those who enjoy trekking, by an approximately 3-hour walk through the Ispuligidenie forest to the beach.

Cala Goloritzé è a beach created in the '60s by a landslide and è famous for its white sand and a 143-meter spire, ideal for sport climbing.

You can reach Cala Goloritzé via sea or via land, via a path of about 3.5 km. The trail begins with a slight climb, followed by a descent through the rugged landscape of Bacu Goloritzé.

The trail will take you directly to the beach in about 1 1/2 hours. The return, due to the difference in elevation, takes about 2 hours and è recommended for experienced hikers.

Access to the beach è limited and it is mandatory to pay an entrance fee of6€ per person.

The Ispinigoli Caves, in the Dorgali Supramonte, is a complex of three interconnected caves reaching 17 km in extent. These caves have an 80-meter diameter hall and a 38-meter high limestone column, among the most impressive in Europe.

Inside the caves you can also find ancient artifacts ranging from Nuragic to Roman times, suggesting that these caves were used for rituals and burials since ancient times.

The Caves are open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The entrance fee is 8€ for adults and 4€ for children

Gorropu Gorge is the deepest canyon in Italy and extends for a 1.5 km between Orgosolo and Urzulei. Excavated over the centuries by the Flumineddu stream, the Gorge contains fossils from millions of years ago.

In Gorropu you will be able to find rare species such as nuragic aquilegia and euprotus, along with mouflon and golden eagles. You will also get a closer look at the Supramonte landscape, the su Gologone spring, and the nuragic village of Tiscali.

You can reach the starting point for canyon hikes from the Su Monte Orrùbiu sheepfold via an easy trail that runs along the Flumineddu stream in about 45 minutes. Here, you can opt for guided trekking excursions or scenic jeep tours, with prices ranging from 28€ to 95€ per person

One of the most striking nuraghi in Cala Gonone is the Nuraghe Mannu complex, located on a promontory overlooking the sea.

Surrounded by an ancient Nuragic and Roman settlement, Nuraghe Mannu is famous for its tholos tower, nearly five meters high, and the watchtowers along the walls. You can visit the site daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an price of admission of 5€ for adults and 3€ for children.

In the surrounding area, we also recommend exploring the nuragic village of Serra Orrios, with over a hundred huts, meeting hall and two megaron temples. Also don't miss the Tomb of the Giants S'Ena and Thomes, an ancient site dating back to the Bronze Age, and the Motorra dolmen.

Palmasera beach in Cala Gonone is the widest shoreline in the area, with magnificent views of the Gulf of Orosei and the local marina. Here you will find convenient parking and the possibility of renting umbrellas and deck chairs from 10€ per person.

Along the coast, you can explore other striking beaches such as Sos Dorroles, characterized by a wall of orange limestone debris, and Ziu Martine, with its limestone and basalt cliffs.

To reach Palmasera you can leave from the port of Cala Gonone and choose from several boat excursions to visit the Bue Marino Caves and the Fico Caves. Among local restaurants, the "Med Osteria Mediterranea" restaurant on the beach is famous for its fresh fish dishes and local specialties