Stintino and Asinara day trip from Alghero or Sassari
A day trip to Stintino and Asinara from Alghero or Sassari: by boat in the morning to Asinara National Park, with the village of Cala d'Oliva and the old prison, then back in Stintino for the fishing village and harbour, La Pelosa beach and its watchtower, and sunset from Capo Falcone over the strait. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Stintino and Asinara in 1 day
Day 1
Asinara National Park: Cala d'Oliva and the old prison
Island park of empty hills and bays, once a high-security prison; Cala d'Oliva has the old prison buildings and white donkeys.
Stintino village and harbour
Small fishing village of low pastel houses round two harbours, founded by families moved from Asinara when the prison was built.
La Pelosa beach
White sand and shallow turquoise water facing Asinara, one of Sardinia's best-known beaches; in summer the number of visitors is limited and booked.
Torre della Pelosa
Old Spanish watchtower on a rocky islet off La Pelosa beach, the classic view of the bay with Asinara behind.
Capo Falcone viewpoint
Headland at the north-western tip of Sardinia, with an old watchtower and views over the strait to Asinara and the beaches below.
Getting there
Stintino is about an hour by car from Alghero and about 50 minutes from Sassari; in summer there are also buses from Sassari. Boats to Asinara leave from Stintino's harbours, and ferries also run from Porto Torres.
Staying in Alghero or Sassari? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Stintino and Asinara
May, June and September are the best months: warm sea, boats running to Asinara and fewer people than in July and August. Summer is hot and windy, and La Pelosa is at its busiest. In winter Stintino is very quiet, and boats to the island are few.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Stintino and Asinara on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Stintino and Asinara on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Stintino and Asinara on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Stintino and Asinara
- Book Asinara ahead with an authorised operator: visits are by ferry or boat tour, then on foot, by bike, on the park's minibus or with a guide.
- Boats to Asinara from Stintino run from about April to October and leave in the morning; in winter trips are few and depend on the sea.
- On the island there are few shops and little shade: bring water, a hat, sun cream and a picnic.
- La Pelosa beach, just below Capo Falcone, is very popular: in summer entry is limited and must be booked, with rules to protect the sand.
- Watch for the white donkeys of Asinara, and leave the animals and plants as they are: the whole island is protected.
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
- Asinara National Park: Cala d'Oliva and the old prison: Cristian85, CC BY 3.0
- La Pelosa beach: Benoît Prieur, CC0
- Stintino village and harbour: trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Torre della Pelosa: Gianni Careddu, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
