Lighthouses
Faro di Capo Ferro Lighthouse
- Walk
The Faro di Capo Ferro Lighthouse was once only known by locals and some adventurous tourists, but it has now become one of the most iconic places on the island.
Its incredible location lets you enjoy the thousands of colours in the surroundings, from dawn to dusk. From the Lighthouse you will be able to watch the exciting regattas performed by the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club, one of the most exclusive in the world.
It is located in the North of Sardinia, very close to the much more famous Porto Cervo. From there it’s extremely easy to get to the Lighthouse. The structure is open only on request to the Navy. Despite that, you still could take a walk through the paths immersed in the Mediterranean scrub. A short distance away there are also the Vecchio Faro Rosso (The Old Red Lighthouse) and the Semaforo of Capo Ferro.
Punta Sardegna Lighthouse
The Punta Sardegna Lighthouse has a unique story because one of its guardians was a woman, something that was unusual back then. As many lighthouses nowadays it is fully automated. It is located in the North of Sardiniam, near the town of Palau.
Getting there it’s not difficult except for the last part of the road that becomes very narrow. Once you reach the small town of Cala Marinella you’ll continue on foot. Eventually you will be gifted with an awesome sight on the Maddalena Archipelago and the Bocche of Bonifacio, that divide Sardinia from Corsica.
The Lighthouse currently hosts a research centre run by the University of Trieste, that is focused on studying geology and the changes occurring to seacoasts and seas. You’ll have the chance to attend a workshop of naturalistic outreach. That will make your holidays different from usual.
Capo Caccia Lighthouse
The promontory of Capo Caccia is the namesake of the lighthouse that is one of the few still with a permanent guardian. He lives in the lighthouse building, the tallest in Italy (189m). This allows it to illuminate a wide portion of the sea. On top of that, his overhanging location gives access to an incredible sight.
The lighthouse is close to the town of Alghero, in Nort-Western Sardinia, inside the Porto Conte Regional Park peninsula. It will be impossible to get bored in this area given the high quantity of interest points. To name one, you could get to the Neptune's Grotto though 600 steps from the Lighthouse.
Capo San Marco Lighthouse
Sardinia is getting less and less uncontaminated, losing some of its wild allure. An exception to that is the Capo San Marco Lighthouse, one of the places that’s still remote and intact. Not surprisingly, it was chosen as a location for an Italian movie called “Una piccola impresa meridionale”.
The lighthouse is located not far from Oristano, in the centre-west of the island.You can leave the car in a convenient parking spot after the small town of San Giovanni di Sinis. If you love trekking, it would be a pleasure for you getting there because you will be rewarded by some special places. You will first find the remains of the ancient town of Tharros, followed by the Capo San Marco beach and eventually you will be offered a beautiful sight from the promontory.
Isola dei Cavoli Lighthouse
The Isola dei Cavoli Lighthouse is located in southern Sardinia, near the town of Villasimius, not far from Cagliari. The island's Sardinian name, "Isula de is cavurus", is reminiscent of the Italian word for cabbages ("cavoli") but "cavurus" translates to "crabs" in English. The lighthouse is one of the largest in Italy.
There are imposing granite boulders on the island, forming many small coves on the coast. The most famous is called Cala di Sciasciu, from the Sardinian word for "fun". Indeed, since it is sheltered from the wind, people can take quiet jaunts there.
A statue of the protector of sailors was placed in the sea near the island. For this reason, on the third Sunday of July, a procession of boats takes place, ending in an underwater prayer and a lot of festivities.
Mangiabarche Lighthouse
The Mangiabarche Lighthouse is located near the island of Sant'Antioco sull'isola in southern Sardinia. The Italian state decided to build the lighthouse on the islet of the same name in 1935 to limit the large number of shipwrecks. Indeed, the islet was a great danger to boats. The rock-filled stretch of sea was compared to a monster's mouth that swallowed ships.
An Italian crime writer, Massimo Carlotto, took advantage of the area's sinister atmosphere to use it as the setting of a novel in his Alligatore series: Il Mangiabarche. Swimming in this part of the sea is not for beginners, but the beautiful beaches of the municipality of Calasetta, where you can enjoy a decidedly calmer sea, are only a short distance away.
Capo Scandalo Lighthouse
Walking around this part of the island can be dangerous, especially if one does not have adequate shoes. However, you can admire the rugged coastline from one of the boat tours available on-site.
Walking around this part of the island can be dangerous, especially if one does not have adequate shoes. However, you can admire the rugged coastline from one of the boat tours available on-site. You can enjoy fascinating landscapes, trails for those who enjoy trekking and places of natural interest such as Cala Fico, where there is a bird-watching oasis.
Capo Spartivento lighthouse
The Capo Spartivento lighthouse is located in the far south of Sardinia, near the town of Domus de Maria. Built in the late 1800s, the structure was left to decay until 2006, when it was renovated to become a luxury hotel. However, the lighthouse continues to illuminate the surrounding coastline on behalf of the Navy.
The facility is surrounded by the colours and atmosphere of the Mediterranean scrubland, making it a perfect place to combine beach vacation and hiking. There is a beautiful path that will take you to Mount Sa Guardia Manna, from the top of which you will see a spectacular panorama.
