Cala Gonone & Dorgali

Cala Gonone is the gateway to the Golfo di Orosei and the perfect seaside resort for those who want to combine nature and comfort. The small harbor is nestled between limestone cliffs on the east coast and is the starting point for boat tours to the dream beaches of the Golfo. Once a remote fishing village (the road to Dorgali was only built in 1949), Cala Gonone is now a relaxed seaside resort with hotels, restaurants, and diving schools — but without the hustle and bustle of the Costa Smeralda.

The local beach of Cala Gonone is small and pebbly, but the surroundings make up for it: The Grotta del Bue Marino (accessible by boat, 5 km south) was the last refuge of the Mediterranean monk seal (Bue Marino = sea ox) in Sardinia. The cave extends 15 kilometers into the cliff's interior and fascinates with stalactites, an underground lake, and Neolithic dance engravings on the walls. North of Cala Gonone lies Cala Fuili — an intimate bay with white pebbles and turquoise water, accessible by car or a short walk.

Dorgali, the mountain village 5 km above Cala Gonone (200 m above sea level), is the cultural center of the region: Known for leatherwork, ceramics, and Cannonau wine (some of the island's best producers are based here), Dorgali has a well-preserved old town with workshops and wineries. The Serra Orrios, a Nuragic settlement with over 70 round huts and two temple districts, is located 10 km west and shows how the Bronze Age Sardinians lived — one of the best-preserved Nuragic villages on the island.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the region is a paradise: Climbing on the limestone walls of Codula di Luna, canyoning in Codula di Fuili, cave trekking in Grotta Su Palu, mountain biking on the shepherds' paths of the Supramonte, and diving on the cliffs of the Golfo — Cala Gonone is Sardinia's outdoor capital.