North East
Activities in Santa Teresa Gallura:
The underwater world between Sardinia and Corsica is extremely attractive to scuba divers and to anyone wishing to learn this sport. There are lots of diving centres in Santa Teresa offering classes for amateurs, introductory divings, or excursions for the more experienced divers. Between Capo Testa and Punta Falcone, or in the depths of the La Maddalena Archipelago, and all around Lavezzi you will find shipwrecks, red and the rarest black coral, a large sandbank (known as Città delle cernie), where groupers and large shoals swim peacefully in the marine protected area. Choose one of the diving centres available in Santa Teresa Gallura from the official website of the town: https://www.santateresagalluraturismo.com/en/watersports/
Daily boat trips to the archipelago of La Maddalena depart every day from the tourist marina of Santa Teresa. Participants will sail through the crystalline sea of the marine park, dive into the gentle waves of the coves of Santa Maria and Spargi, and visit the old town of La Maddalena. A wide range of packages are provided by the local sailing companies: tours by dinghy or by boat, on-board lunch or packed meals. Browse among the available options: https://www.santateresagalluraturismo.com/en/excursions/
Activities in Palau:
If you are looking for an active, dynamic, and sport-oriented holiday, Palau represents the perfect choice: Porto Pollo/Isola dei Gabbiani is one of the best surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing spots in Europe, thanks to its wind exposure. Here, sports enthusiats can also practice SUP, canoeing, and sailing.
Along the coastline, several surfing and sailing schools offer courses ranging from beginners to pros in an outstanding setting opposite the archipelago of La Maddalena. Boredom will not be an issue! Find the school that suits you best by browsing the website of the Palau Tourist Information Office: https://palauturismo.com/menu/62150/turismo-attivo
To experience the hinterland of Gallura, we recommend a vintage-style trip from Palau to Tempio on the picturesque Trenino Verde. The route follows the old Sassari-Palau railway line. During the journey, travellers can admire a wild scenary made of cork oaks and granite rocks, and stopover at Lago Liscia, where the lush vegetation touches the water creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. An unforgettable experience for both adults and children! The route and all its stations are available at the following link: http://www.treninoverde.com/palau-tempio-new/
Become a researcher for a day and get involved in the real monitoring of the bottlenose dolphin, which populates the coastal area of La Maddalena and the Strait of Bonifacio, supervised by a team of professional researchers. Cruising on a boat with the necessary equipment to detect cetaceans, departing from the tourist port of Palau, you will observe dolphins swimming unhindered in their natural environment. More details can be found on the websites: https://www.portorotondo.eu/EN/cetacei/ and https://www.seame.it/en/join-us/
Activities in Baja Sardinia:
Gallura is known as a land of valuable autochthonous varietals: Vermentino, Cannonau and Bovale. From mid August to the end of September, the local wineries welcome tourists and visitors interested in spending a day in the vineyards working as vintners during the grape harvest, when the atmosphere is joyful and convivial. The wineries also offer tours and tastings with oenologists and sommeliers (booking required), along the green vineyard rows and in the cellars, to discover traditional local wines. For further information about the grape harvest and all the events organised by the wineries near Arzachena: https://arzachenaturismo.com/a-spasso-tra-i-vigneti-20/
There are eight archeological sights in the area of Arzachena, from the Neolithic (5th millennium BC) to the Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC). Some of them are still being analysed and will allow you to discover the fascinating world of a millenary culture. The archaeological site includes the funerary circle of Li Muri, the rock of Il Fungo, several nuraghi and tombs of giants, the holy temple of Malchittu, and 100 nuragic huts of the ancient village of La Prisgiona, 80 of which have yet to be unearthed. Experts will show you the lifestyle and culture of past eras, and thus take you on an imaginary journey through history. Reservations can be made directly at the Tourist Info Point in Malchittu or by clicking on the following link: https://arzachenaturismo.com/arzachena-il-parco-archeologico-dai-mille-misteri/?lang=en
Shopaholics and fashionistas can windowshop and wander among the most stylish boutiques or dine in the elegant and glamorous restaurants in the centre of Porto Cervo. Its characteristic main square is the icon of the Emerald Coast, the ultimate destination for luxury turism and for celebrities. Discover the history and origins of this exclusive hamlet: https://arzachenaturismo.com/territorio/centri-abitati/porto-cervo/?lang=en
Activities in Golfo di Marinella:
The sea surrounding Golfo Aranci offers an outstanding underwater landscape, characterised by abundant fauna and flora and by archaeological relics stored on its seabed. The submarine depths boast an astonishing variety of coloured sponges, white and red gorgonians, starfishes and sea urchins, as well as crustaceans, moray eels, groupers and amberjacks. The Natural Area of Capo Figari and Figarolo features 17 diving spots and is considered a paradise for snorkellers and divers looking for adventures. A wide range of professional diving centres in Golfo Aranci offer scuba diving programmes for all levels of experience. Contact details of the most important diving centres can be found on the official website of Golfo Aranci: https://www.comune.golfoaranci.ss.it/turismo/
The trekking trails in the Site of Community Importance (SCI) of Capo Figari and Isola di Figarolo can be explored on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. The well-marked and easy-to-follow itineraries display the time required and their degree of difficulty. The map can be downloaded by scanning the QR-Code located on the signboards placed at the entrance. By clicking on the following link, you will find out more about the sights, highlights and trails: http://www.capofigari.it/sentieri.php?lang=eng&id=
Activities in San Teodoro:
A holiday in San Teodoro offers relax, entertainment, and outdoor excursions suitable for both adults and children. The Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Protected Marine Area park features leisure activities for everyone. Whether you delight in an hike or prefer to explore the underwater world, the park offers a wide range of opportunities for you to enjoy. The official website of the Protected Marine Area of Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo reports a list of companies allowed to operate in the area: https://www.amptavolara.com/en/home-page/
The Cinema Tavolara festival has been held on the island of Tavolara each July for thirty years. First held in 1991, the festival showcases mainly Italian movies, with a special focus on Sardinian cinematography and emerging local filmmakers. In addition, a programme of side events is organised during the session of the festival. The festival has always promoted the importance of the environmental protection and the constitution of the Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Protected Marine Area. More information about the event is available on the following website: https://www.cinematavolara.it/
Music lovers cannot miss the international Time in Jazz festival, which takes place every year in August. The festival, founded in 1988 by the Sardinian jazz trumpeter Paolo Fresu, involves around 50 events in ten days across several towns in Sardinia, including San Teodoro. Time in Jazz has become one of the most important cultural events in Europe, attracting thousands of viewers from all over the world. Learn more about its history and the programme: https://www.timeinjazz.it/
Activities in Budoni:
Horseriding is an amusing and pleasant way to experience the charming coastline that stretches from Agrustos and Porto Ottiolu to Budoni (riding along a pond where you can often spot colonies of pink flamingos), or the impressive mountains of Barbagia and Gallura (towards Monte Nieddu, the Usinavà Nature Park or Mont Albo di Lula), where you can discover the shepherds’ ancient stazzi amidst wild and pristine nature. There are many memorable itineraries, some of which are also suitable for children (4 years or older), to be enjoyed riding friendly horses or sweet ponies under the supervision of qualified equestrian guides. Find out more: https://www.budoniwelcome.it/en/asd-sardigna-equitours/
Looking for a genuine adrenaline-pumping experience? Motorheads can have high-speed thrills at the Kartodrome Pista Jolly Park. The Pista Jolly Park is located in the hamlet of Agrustos, very close to Budoni and San Teodoro, and can be reached in a few minutes by car. The track is suitable for karts and motorbikes and offers 8 different possible configurations, the longest of which measures approximately 920 metres. This racetrack is used for leisure, competitions, driving courses for beginners and experienced drivers. For more information and contact details: https://www.budoniwelcome.it/pista-jolly-park/
