About 3.5km south of town (follow Viale del Bue Marino) is this captivating rocky inlet backed by a deep green valley. From here you can hike over the clifftops to Cala Luna, about two hours (4km) away on foot. The trail cuts a scenic path through juniper and mastic trees and is easy to navigate, with triangle-circle symbols marking handy rocks. The coastal views are breathtaking as you approach Cala Luna.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Cala Goloritzè
10.77 MILES
The last beachette of the gulf, Cala Goloritzè rivals the best. At the southern end, bizarre limestone formations soar away from the cliffside. Among them…
Gola Su Gorropu
8.34 MILES
Sardinia's most spectacular gorge is flanked by limestone walls towering up to 500m in height. The endemic (and endangered) Aquilegia nuragica plant grows…
Grotta del Bue Marino
0.64 MILES
It’s a scenic 40-minute hike from Cala Fuili, or a speedy boat ride from Cala Gonone, to this enchanting grotto. It was the last island refuge of the rare…
Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu
7.72 MILES
The Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu is Sardinia’s largest national park, taking in the rugged Supramonte plateau and the spectacular…
Spiaggia Bidderosa
17.01 MILES
North of the Marina di Orosei, this beach forms part of a nature reserve and never gets too busy because visitor numbers are restricted. A 4km trail leads…
Nearby Cala Gonone attractions
1. Nuraghe Mannu
0.33 MILES
To get an eagle-eye view over the coast, follow the signs off the Cala Gonone–Dorgali road to this nuraghe. After 3km the rocky track peters out at a wild…
2. Grotta del Bue Marino
0.64 MILES
It’s a scenic 40-minute hike from Cala Fuili, or a speedy boat ride from Cala Gonone, to this enchanting grotto. It was the last island refuge of the rare…
3. Spiaggia Sos Dorroles
1.14 MILES
About 1km south of Cala Gonone, backed by a striking yellow-orange rock wall, Spiaggia Sos Dorroles is one of the prettiest spots near town for splashing…
4. Spiaggia Palmasera
1.47 MILES
Just south of Cala Gonone, this narrow sandy strip is interrupted by rocky stretches (watch out for sea urchins).
5. Acquario di Cala Gonone
1.67 MILES
Check out the local marine life before taking the plunge at this shiny new aquarium, designed by architects Peter Chermayeff and Sebastiano Gaias. The 25…
6. Spiaggia Centrale
1.97 MILES
In town, the small shingle Spiaggia Centrale is good for a quick dip, though the finest beaches lie further south.
7. Cala Luna
2.15 MILES
A favourite with rock climbers, this wildly beautiful crescent-shaped bay is backed by a lush ravine, framed by cave-pitted cliffs and pummelled by…
8. Museo Archeologico
3.13 MILES
This modest archaeology museum spells out the region’s past in artefacts, from pre-nuraghic to medieval times.