On the east coast of Sardinia is the small town of Cala Gogone: the starting point of magnificent excursions in the surrounding calanques!
If you visit the Sardinia for its beaches, turquoise water and its dream landscapes, then you must absolutely visit Cala Gonone, a small village of 1300 inhabitants nestled at the foot of the mountains of eastern Sardinia, near the city of Dorgali in the province of Nuoro.
Cala Gonone resembles to take care of Cassis, the jewel of the Côte d’Azur, not for its port and its small alleys (what...) but for its « cala » and its beaches of the Gulf of Orosei, accessible by boat from Cala Gonone so, or from the footpaths. These famous "cala" are actually calanques, steep and isolated coves, most of which are accessible by boat only. The "cala" offer magnificent views, crystalline water in which it is possible to dive or snorkeling and observe multicolored fish. Cala Gonone also offers many climbing spots.
The visit of Cala Gonone
If you are travelling to Sardinia during an organized stay or during a road trip on the Italian island, Cala Gonone is one of the destinations by which you must pass. This small village is located between the sea and the wild mountains of the Supramonte, which are covered by a scented forest, in a setting close to that found on the Côte d’Azur. In Cala Gonone, you are at the heart of a natural heritage of more than 225 km2.
If Cala Gonone is a famous place for its archaeological sites, you will have understood that one comes to visit its famous Cala and spend a day on the water to explore the different beaches and coves along the coast to the south of the village.
The calanques and the coves to see
When you go to the port of Cala Gonone, you will see that a small square has formed around the small huts where vendors offer excursions to the different Cala, boat rental without (or with) permits, kayak rental, and many other things. A detail will not fail to escape: there is no price in a row, everything is negotiable, especially out of season.
This is where you can book your excursion for the calanques. For our part, we chose to rent a boat during the day (a fairly powerful pneumatic boat) for more freedom. We were two and it cost us 100€ (80€ of boat and 20€ of gasoline). At two, it comes back to 50€ per person for the day. At four, the price falls to 25€ per person.
Agencies also offer a boat trip for a half-day which stops at the coves. However, you will not be able to descend to all the beaches, only the most accessible by boat. It is usually cheaper (between 20 and 30 euros per person depending on the boat), but you will not be able to enjoy as much as with your own boat. You'll have to follow the band...
Cala Luna
It is the most famous and, indeed, the most touristic calanque. It is accessible by boat but also on foot from a trail. Cala Luna is usually listed among the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean thanks to its fine sand, its caves and the pink laurels that serve as a frame. There are huge cavities formed by the swell that gives it a mystic character. That said, it is mainly on this beach that tourist boats take you, which means that it is crowded at any time of the year when the weather permits.
It is possible to reach Cala Luna on foot during a hike of 11 km round-trip on a rather difficult path to practice (very scary). You have to plan good shoes, but the ride to Cala Luna is very nice. The trail starts at the beach of Cala Fuili.
The caves of the Bue Marino
These natural cavities are located between Cala Luna and Cala Gonone. They offer a spectacular "forest" of stalactites and stalagmites where the monk seal once lived. These caves house an underground salt lake.
Every year for 10 days at the end of July the Cala Gonone Jazz festival takes place. During the event, a unique concert is given inside the caves. It should be noted that it is possible to access the caves on foot by taking the same path as Cala Luna (in 45 min).
Cala Sisine
The next beach accessible after Cala Luna (if you descend the coast to the south) is Cala Sisine. This white pebble beach is the mouth of a small winter watercourse. It is accessed by boat but also by a path that begins along the SS125 road.
Cala Biriola
Cala Biriola is another pearl of the Gulf of Orosei. There is an extremely clear and fish-rich water, making it an ideal place for scuba diving or snorkeling.
Cala Mariolu
The beach of Cala Mariolu owes its name to the monk seal of the Mediterranean, which the fishermen called "mariolu" (voleur) because it stole the contents of the nets. Very little crowded, the place is full of caves, and one of them just opens onto the creek, while not far is the Grotta del Fico, which can be reached by boat.
Cala Goloritzé
Cala Goloritzé is the last cove to visit if you stay in Cala Gonone. It is characterized by a natural arch and a limestone stack whose height exceeds 140 meters. This site is known to climbers for its climbing paths. To preserve the site of pollution and tourist assault, the beach is inaccessible by boat, but you can still go swimming or walking from a trail.
Where to stay in Cala Gonone?
Cala Gonone is a small village, so there is not really a neighborhood to choose where to stay but rather a hotel/flat to select according to your comfort requirements. The ideal is to stay in the streets perpendicular to the beach, 150-200 meters from it. There are nearby supermarkets everywhere in the village and good restaurants to taste the seafood and fish that the local fishermen brought back! You can find a cheap hotel in Cala Gonone by searching for this Compare hotels .
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