Typical of the Area:
To the north of Tortolì and Santa Maria Navarrese you have at your disposal one of the longest, coast sections of Sardinia still not reachable by car. These can be visited either on foot or with regularly organized boat excursions. The area is ideal for beach and trekking lovers.

The place was named after the princess of Navarre, who built a church on this coast as recognition to the Holy Mary for rescuing her ship (year 1050).

Fascinating high plateau with a desert of stones, cork trees, little broom bushes and other endemic plants which have adapted themselves to these special conditions.
Here you can encounter half-wild donkeys, pigs, cows, but also eagles and falcons. The "Voragine" with its 270 mt drop, is the deepest gorge of Europe.

Small village inhabited all year round, 6 kms of distance from Tortolì. In the direct surroundings there are beautiful foot paths and the unique country church of Sant'Efisio.

This small mountain village is very attractive, and offers an original landscape.

Girasole lies only 8 mts above sea level and is inhabited the whole year by about 1.000 souls. Near a big lake and only 2.5 kms from a wide sandy beach with stone pine forest.

The small town of Tortolì lies only 15 mts above sea level and represents an important small Centre for this region with approximately 10.000 inhabitants and a good infrastructure.

Long, wide sandy beach close to Porto Frailis (part of the municipality of Tortolì).

Former fishing village, which became, thanks to its Ferry Port, an important connection to the mainland. An important attraction are the porphyry cliffs at the port. (Arbatax part of the municipality of Tortolì).

Excursions with the historic steam engine " Trenino Verde "(green little train):
Arbatax <-> Mandas (inland)

600 mts above sea level, a city built at different levels with beautiful forests, numerous foot paths and a great climate.
In the historic oldest part of town you can pass by some welthy old houses in really good condition. Their facades are mostly made of Sardinian granite.

An humble village in a breath-taking mountain landscape. Sorrounded by interesting limestone formations and high plateau levels, the so-called "Tacchi" (heels).

The 850 mts long limestone cave lies around the mountain village of Ulassai. And it offers the highest cave halls in Sardinia.

Barisardo has approximately 4.000 inhabitants. Here you shouldn't forget to take a walk through the narrow streets in the quarter around the church from the 17th century. That was enriched with marble from Massa Carrara. A beach with a Saracen Tower marked this place then and now with the name " Torre di Barì ".

Cardedu was only founded after the evacuation of the original village (Gairo Vecchio) in 1951 on account of a feared landslide. From the worth visiting "ghost town" of Gairo Vecchio developed altogether three localities with similar constuctions: Gairo Taquisara, Gairo Sant'Elena and Cardedu. Here there's the chance to taste an awesome Sardinian red wine (Cannonau) and fresh pasta.

A mountain village in the middle of Santa Barbara forest, well-known for its very good sardinian ham.

The mountain village of Jerzu is famous for its Cannonau wine. In the Cantina Sociale (the winegrowers' co-operative) you can do some wine tasting when visiting.

The artificial lake of Flumendosa with its 230 mts long walls lies nearby the village of Villanova Strisaili.

Activities in the Area: Horse Riding/ Diving/ Sailing/ Surfing/ Parachuting in the Water/ Water-Skiing/ Tennis/ Trekking/ Mountainbiking/ Cave abseiling/ Excursions with motor boats and Jeeps.

Lotzorai/ S.M. Navarrese/ Tortolì