Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei itinerary: 1 to 2 days
Plans for one and two days in Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei, day by day: a morning boat along the cliffs of the gulf to coves such as Cala Luna and Cala Mariolu, the Grotta del Bue Marino sea cave and the beach at Cala Fuili first, then the hike to the nuraghic village of Tiscali in its cave, the village of Serra Orrios, the town of Dorgali and its Cannonau winery with a second day. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 2 days
Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei in 1 day
Day 1
Boat trip along the Gulf of Orosei (from Cala Gonone harbour)
Boat along the limestone cliffs of the gulf, stopping at white-pebble coves such as Cala Luna and Cala Mariolu, with clear turquoise water for swimming.
Grotta del Bue Marino
Large sea cave of stalactites and underground pools, named after the monk seals that once lived here, seen on a guided visit.
Cala Fuili
Small cove at the mouth of a rocky gorge south of Cala Gonone, reached by road and a stairway, with clear water and a coast path.
Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei in 2 days
Day 1
Boat trip along the Gulf of Orosei (from Cala Gonone harbour)
Boat along the limestone cliffs of the gulf, stopping at white-pebble coves such as Cala Luna and Cala Mariolu, with clear turquoise water for swimming.
Grotta del Bue Marino
Large sea cave of stalactites and underground pools, named after the monk seals that once lived here, seen on a guided visit.
Cala Fuili
Small cove at the mouth of a rocky gorge south of Cala Gonone, reached by road and a stairway, with clear water and a coast path.
Day 2
Tiscali nuraghic village
Remains of a nuraghic village hidden inside a collapsed limestone cave on Monte Tiscali, reached by a rocky hike of about an hour and a half.
Serra Orrios nuraghic village
Remains of a Bronze Age nuraghic village among olive trees, with the stone circles of dozens of huts and two small temples.
Historic centre of Dorgali (Piazza Santa Caterina)
Small town below Monte Bardia, known for its crafts, carpets and jewellery, with shops and cafés around the church of Santa Caterina.
Cantina Dorgali
The town's wine cooperative, known for its Cannonau reds, with a shop for tasting and buying local wine.
Watch: Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei
May, June and September are the best months: warm sea, running boats and fewer people than in July and August, when the coves are crowded. Boats stop in rough sea, so keep a spare day if the boat trip matters to you. From November to March most boats and many hotels are closed, but the inland walks are pleasant.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
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Tips for Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei
- Boats along the Gulf of Orosei run from about April to October and only in calm sea; book a day ahead in summer and take the morning departures for the longest stay at the coves.
- Bring water, food, sun protection and shoes for rocks: the coves have little shade and few services, and the path up to Tiscali is rough and steep.
- A car is the easy way around: Cala Gonone is reached from Dorgali through a tunnel and a winding road down to the sea.
- The Grotta del Bue Marino is seen on guided visits in season, by boat from the harbour or on foot along the coast path from Cala Fuili.
- Try a Cannonau, the red wine of the area, and Sardinian dishes such as porceddu, roast suckling pig, in Dorgali.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Boat trip along the Gulf of Orosei (from Cala Gonone harbour): Gianni Careddu, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cala Fuili: Gianni Careddu, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Grotta del Bue Marino: Cats' photos, Public domain
- Serra Orrios nuraghic village: Madpack, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Tiscali nuraghic village: Roberto Mura, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
