Discovering the Bear Rock: A Trail Through History and Legend
An iconic symbol of Gallura: The Bear Rock, also known as Capo d'Orso, is one of the most famous natural monuments in Sardinia. Located in the territory of Palau, this impressive granite formation dominates the landscape with its unmistakable silhouette that, from a certain angle, resembles the figure of a bear.
Sights to See Between Olbia and San Teodoro
The most beautiful and well-known beaches in the area between Olbia, Porto San Paolo, and San Teodoro are breathtaking bays absolutely worth visiting during a holiday on the northeastern coast of Sardinia.
In this area, you will find numerous activities and excursions to explore the region, along with free beaches and equipped beaches that offer all the amenities.
The area features a stretch of sea that is particularly important from a naturalistic perspective, thanks to the presence of the Protected Marine Area of Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo, which has enhanced and maximized its heritage. The consortium formed by the municipalities of Olbia, Loiri Porto San Paolo, and San Teodoro has been managing the stretch from Capo Ceraso through to Cala Finocchio since 2004, including the islands of Tavolara, Molara, and Molarotto.
Beaches of Capo Ceraso: Untamed
The beaches of the Capo Ceraso promontory in the territory south of Olbia are numerous, with the entire peninsula marked by secluded coves and inlets, some accessible by car and some exclusively by foot or by sea. The promontory starts in the north with Spiaggia Le Saline and in Murta Maria with the Spiaggia Marina Maria.
After passing by numerous tiny coves with crystal-clear waters, you reach Spiaggia Li Cuncheddi. Proceeding clockwise from north to south, you find Poltu Manzu, Porto Vitello beach up to Punta Ruja. Continuing along the coast, you come across Poltu Casu beach, overlooked by the panoramic viewpoint “Vedetta di Capo Ceraso” located at the top of the promontory. In the southern part, there are Spiaggia del Dottore and the Spiaggia di Porto Istana.
Porto Istana Beach: Soft
At the southern tip of the Capo Ceraso promontory lies Porto Istana beach, located in the municipality of Olbia facing the Island of Tavolara. The beach consists of 4 inlets separated by small bands of pink granite rocks, the 4 bays created are covered with white, soft sand that gently slopes into the waters of Golfo Spurlatta. Behind the beach, there are small paths and walkways immersed in vegetation.
Corallina Beach: Enchanting
Baia Costa Corallina is located on the border between Olbia and Porto San Paolo and can be reached by taking the SS125 Orientale Sarda road and following the detour that leads to the Costa Corallina Village and Hotel Ollastu.
The beach is divided into several sections by small rocks and is within a natural inlet that also provides access to the characteristic little harbor of Costa Corallina. A postcard bay, with very white and fine sand, pastel white-blue sea, pink granite rocks with colored veins, and evergreen vegetation.
In the background is the Island of Tavolara and the promontory of Capo Figari. On the beach, there are free beach areas and “La Pizzichina,” an equipped beach with sunbed and restaurant service. If you're in the area, you cannot miss seeing it.
Punta Don Diego Beach: Private
The beach Punta Don Diego is a quiet and less crowded beach divided into 2 coves. The bay overlooks the Islands of Tavolara and Molara, at the heart of the coastal stretch of the Protected Marine Area.
In front of the beach, there is a charming view of Porto Taverna and Cala Girgolu with the famous Sassi Piatti. Near the beach, you'll find Hotel Don Diego and a small private harbor. The seabed gently slopes, making it a particularly suitable beach for children and families.
How to get to Punta Don Diego Beach
Porto Taverna Beach: Cheerful
White sand, blue sea. A long beach very well-known in the area and thus rather crowded, especially during the summer season. On the beach, there are areas of free beach alongside equipped sections with beachbars and restaurants.
The beach has multiple entrances, the widest and most used located at the north end, and a smaller, cozier entrance to the south. In the dune area, there is a pond where wonderful walks can be enjoyed amidst nature. Walking along the paths of the wetland offers opportunities for birdwatching with flamingos, herons, egrets, and stilts.
How to get to Porto Taverna Beach
Cala Girgolu Beach: Intense
The beach of Cala Girgolu or Cala Ghjlgolu is a small little-known gem located in Loiri Porto San Paolo in the Vaccileddi area close to Monte Petrosu. The beach of Cala Girgolu has a precious lagoon behind the sand and is well-known not only for its beauty but also for the famous Turtle Rock.
Nearby Cala Ghjlgolu, you will also find the beach of Le Formiche and I Sassi Piatti, an area dotted with smooth rocks shaped by wind and sea into various forms.
How to get to Cala Girgolu Beach
Punta Molara Beach: Cozy
A small and delightful beach in the territory of Monte Petrosu located right in front of the Island of Molara. It is an area rich in Mediterranean vegetation that grows wild and spontaneously with a large cliff that hosts this small sparsely populated beach even in the summer months. Continuing south from Punta Molara, you will find Cala Ginepro beach, another jewel of the area.
How to get to Punta Molara Beach
Beaches of Capo Coda Cavallo: Unmissable
In the Marine Protected Area of Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo, you will find the promontory of Capo Coda Cavallo scattered with some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. A lovely peninsula located opposite the islands of Tavolara and Molara, about 20 km south of Olbia, featuring granite cliffs, sparkling white sand beaches, and lush vegetation.
The northern end of the promontory has a long, well-serviced and equipped beach that overlooks the gulf of Cala Coda Cavallo dominated by Punta Est. In front of the beach, you will find the small Island of Proratora.
On the southern portion of the peninsula, you can find Salina Bamba and Salinedda beach, small charming beaches both free and equipped where you can enjoy many fun activities and explore the surroundings.
In the area of Capo Coda Cavallo, there are exclusive campsites and resorts like Baja Bianca and Grande Baia where you can spend a vacation close to the most beautiful beaches immersed in tranquility and greenery.
How to get to Capo Coda Cavallo
Cala Brandinchi Beach: enchanting
Among the most famous beaches in Sardinia, the beautiful Brandinchi beach must certainly be mentioned, improperly called “Little Tahiti” for the color of its waters and its exotic appearance. The beach is located south of the Capo Coda Cavallo promontory and north of Punta Sabatino where the village of Puntaldia is situated.
A very popular beach during the summer season, it definitely deserves a visit. Cala Brandinchi beach is a very long stretch with fine white sand, the seabed gently slopes making it particularly suitable for swimming.
In the area behind, there are small dunes and a pine forest equipped with wooden tables where you can have picnics and relax in the shade.
How to get to Cala Brandinchi Beach
Lu Impostu Beach: perfect
The twin of Cala Brandinchi is Lu Impostu beach, accessible from the road leading to the promontory that hosts Puntaldia. The two beaches are very similar in characteristics and are separated by a small promontory where you can stroll. Lu Impostu offers free beach areas and equipped zones with umbrellas, sun loungers, and watersports.
The beach has a small dune pond that flows into the sea, accessible via a small crossing on foot. A truly pleasant spot and a great alternative to see a beach that is really interesting.
How to get to Lu Impostu Beach
La Cinta Beach: fun
One of the beaches of San Teodoro, beautiful, long, with a pleasant panorama ideal for families and groups of people. The beach starts north from the promontory of Puntaldia where the Puntaldia Golf Club is located, ending at the beginning of the town of San Teodoro.
On the beach, all the services you might need for a day at the beach are available. In the area behind are wonderful sand dunes and the famous San Teodoro Lagoon.
The San Teodoro pond is an SIC area – Site of Community Interest – very important from a naturalistic point of view, which has also hosted some evenings as part of the “Tavolara Film Festival”. Along the beach and in the area behind, you can enjoy long walks, admire the typical plants of the Mediterranean scrub, and do some birdwatching.
Isuledda Beach: incredible
Isuledda beach in San Teodoro is located south of the town of San Teodoro. South of the beach, you enter the territory of Budoni.
An absolutely magical beach that reveals its beauty even from the road leading to it.
From above, you can admire its crystal clear, bright blue waters. A long beach with the picturesque Isuledda Lagoon in the area behind it. The seabed gently slopes and remains shallow for many meters from the shore, the beach is equipped with bars and all services. Definitely a must-see.
How to get to Isuledda Beach San Teodoro
Boat trips Tavolara