Top 10 things to see in northern Sardinia from Badesi

Isola Rossa

• ~12 km · 15 min
• Village & sea

A former fishing village framed by red porphyry cliffs, named after the small red islet about 500 metres offshore. A late-16th-century Spanish watchtower, built of red granite on the promontory, guards the little marina — on clear days you can see Asinara and even Corsica from it.

From the port, boats explore coves reachable only by sea; you can also rent canoes and pedalos or go diving and snorkelling.

Tip: walk up to the tower before sunset, then have dinner by the harbour.

Terme di Casteldoria

• ~15 km · 20 min
• Thermal springs

Near Santa Maria Coghinas, hot salt-bromine-iodine springs — valued since Roman times — rise from the ground at 40 to 70 °C where the Coghinas river carves a gorge. There is a modern spa with thermal pools, and along the riverbank locals know spots where hot water mixes with the river.

Above it all stands the tower of the Doria castle (12th century), with views over Castelsardo and the Coghinas plain — and legends of secret tunnels and hidden treasure retold by Nobel laureate Grazia Deledda.

Careful: natural pools by the river can be scalding in places — test the water first.

Castelsardo

• ~25 km · 30 min
• Medieval town

A walled medieval town piled up on a promontory above the Gulf of Asinara. Its castle was built by the Genoese Doria family, most likely in the 13th century; the town was called Castelgenovese, then Castel Aragonese after 1448, and finally Castelsardo under the Savoys.

Inside the castle, the Mediterranean Weaving Museum shows the basketry that made the town famous — it is one of the most visited museums in Sardinia. Don't miss the cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate, whose bell tower with a majolica dome rises straight above the sea.

Tip: in summer the castle stays open late — go up for sunset over the gulf.

Roccia dell'Elefante

• ~25 km · 30 min
• UNESCO

A boulder of trachyte and andesite about four metres tall, eroded into the unmistakable shape of an elephant raising its trunk. It stands by the SS134 road from Castelsardo to Sedini, in the locality of Multeddu.

Inside are two domus de janas — pre-Nuragic rock-cut tombs from around 3200–2800 BC, one with bull horns carved in relief. Since July 2025 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of Sardinia's domus de janas.

Tip: combine it with Castelsardo — it's a 10-minute stop.

Costa Paradiso

• ~25 km · 35 min
• Pink granite

A wild stretch of coast where pink granite tumbles into the sea between Mediterranean scrub. Its star is the cove of Li Cossi; the more adventurous can follow the unmarked coastal trail past Porto Leccio to Li Tinnari.

Tempio Pausania & Monte Limbara

• ~45 km · 50 min
• Mountains & wine

The granite heart of Gallura, at 566 metres above sea level. The old town is built and paved in grey granite, with the cathedral of San Pietro and the church of Santa Croce; a tree-lined walk leads to the Rinaggiu springs, known since Roman times and set in a park.

Monte Limbara (1,359 m) rises 16 km to the south — cork oak woods, granite peaks and sweeping views. The area produces Vermentino di Gallura DOCG wine.

Tip: a great escape on the hottest days — it's noticeably cooler up here.

Capo Testa & Valle della Luna

• ~65 km · 1 h 15
• Granite landscapes

A granite promontory joined to the mainland by a narrow sandy isthmus, a few kilometres west of Santa Teresa Gallura. Wind and sea have sculpted the rock into extraordinary shapes; the Romans quarried granite here for columns.

Its most famous corner is the Valle della Luna (Cala Grande), a labyrinth of huge eroded boulders running down to a sheltered cove. A path leads towards the lighthouse through some of the finest rock formations.

Tip: wear proper shoes and stay for sunset over the Strait of Bonifacio.

La Maddalena Archipelago

• ~80 km to Palau · 1 h 30
• National park

Seven main granite islands and dozens of islets, protected as a national park since 1994. A ferry crosses from Palau to La Maddalena in about 20 minutes, and day-long boat tours from Palau visit Spargi, Santa Maria, Caprera and the waters off Budelli, home of the famous Pink Beach (viewable only from the sea).

Tip: book a boat tour in advance, but check the mistral forecast — tours are often cancelled when it blows hard.

Stintino & La Pelosa

• ~90 km · 1 h 20
• Caribbean-like water

La Pelosa, 4 km from Stintino, is one of Italy's most famous beaches: white sand and shallow turquoise water. To protect it, access is capped at 1,500 people a day from mid-May to mid-October, with online booking and a €3.50 ticket (children up to 12 free). A mat under your towel is compulsory.

Tip: after 18:00 you can enter without a booking — perfect for an evening swim.

Alghero & Neptune's Grotto

• ~95 km to Alghero · 1 h 30
• Sea cave

Neptune's Grotto lies at the tip of Capo Caccia, 24 km from Alghero, inside the Porto Conte nature park. You reach it either by the Escala del Cabirol — 654 steps cut into the cliff, about 120 metres down — or by boat from Alghero. The boat ticket doesn't include cave entry (around €18 for adults in 2026).

Tip: go early — climbing back up the steps in the midday heat is hard work.