This Quaint Beach Town In Sardinia Is A Tranquil Destination With Pristine Mediterranean Views And Local Cuisine
The dramatic Italian island of Sardinia is famed for its impossibly turquoise waters, delicious dining, and unspoiled landscape. Still somewhat under-the-radar compared to other Mediterranean destinations, Sardinia lures visitors seeking a wilder escape, with many flocking to the Costa Smeralda coastline, a stunning area that boasts chic beaches, shops, and food. But for a more low-key adventure, head farther south to the relaxed waterfront commune of Siniscola. Here lies La Caletta, a fishing village turned modern harbor town adjacent to a nearly 2.5-mile beach lapped by cerulean waters. La Caletta, which means "little bay" or "cove" in Italian, promises the simple joys of a seaside vacation, with a clutch of idyllic hotels, a marina for embarking on aquatic adventures, a stunning stretch of sand for endless beach days, and restaurants serving fresh local cuisine. In fact, a leading reason why Sardinia is one of the world's original five Blue Zones (where residents regularly live past 100 years old) is due to their balanced diet of farm-to-table cuisine.
Pristinely scenic, easy to access, and also an affordable base for exploring more of the coastline, La Caletta deserves a stop on any Sardinian itinerary. The best time to visit La Caletta is between May and September for prime beach weather. The town is about a 40-minute drive south of the Olbia Costa Smeralda airport, which receives nonstop flights from many major European cities. Boat trips leave from La Caletta's large marina to go to the island's many beaches, many of which are only accessible by sea. Near the marina, you'll find treasures, such as a 17th-century stone tower and a large-scale mosaic.
Where to stay and eat in La Caletta
La Caletta is small enough to easily navigate on foot but boasts a good number of resorts, boutique hotels, and rental options. Cala della Torre Resort is a large 4-star resort in town that is just steps from both the marina and the sandy beach. Anchored around a large swimming pool, the resort boasts nearly 200 spacious rooms and suites, as well as a classic Sardinian restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hotel L'Aragosta, perched further inland, is a charming, family-run establishment with just 24 rooms and an outdoor pool. Just across from Caletta Beach is the S'Arena Beach Oasis Hotel with airy, all-white rooms and suites. The hotel offers a private beach club with loungers, a large swimming pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Throughout the town and along the beach, travelers will discover many excellent restaurants. For crispy, thin-crust pizzas with high-quality ingredients, head to the popular Pizzeria La Rosa Dei Venti in the center of town, which has both indoor and outdoor tables. The family-run L'Ostrica has been serving up delicious Sardinian specialties since 1986. Highlights include Sardinian oysters, tuna tartare, tomato culurgiones (Sardinian dumplings), and baked sea bream filet. For a breezy beachside meal, La Luna offers a menu of beautifully plated local seafood. And don't miss the Italian anytime-of-year staple of gelato at FRA, a cute gelato shop near the marina.
What to see and do in La Caletta
From active adventures to lazy beach days, La Caletta promises an unforgettable vacation. Along the 2.5-mile sweep of La Caletta Beach, fringed by translucent turquoise waves, travelers can lounge on beach chairs, stroll the sandy shore, or head out into the water for more athletic pursuits. Kitesurf La Caletta has kitesurfing lessons available for all ages and abilities, as well as windsurfing, windfoiling, wakefoiling, stand-up paddleboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding Pilates. The clear water is also inviting for cooling swims and snorkeling.
From the marina of La Caletta, boat cruises depart to explore Sardinia's picturesque rocky coast that shelters white-sand coves. You can choose from a range of excursions, from deep-sea-fishing charters to beach-hopping cruises and catamaran trips. From the sea you'll be able to see many of Sardinia's most exceptional shorelines. South of La Caletta is the Gulf of Orosei, with highlights such as the tall limestone spire at Cala Goloritze, a hidden Italian cove that's one of the world's best beaches. North of La Caletta lies the famed beach of Cala Brandinchi, known as Italy's "Little Tahiti," and farther offshore is the Tavolara Marine Protected Area, a marine reserve surrounding the limestone island of Tavolara.
Rising impressively over the La Caletta marina is the stone San Giovanni Tower, which dates to the early 1600s. Built to protect the coastline, the waterfront tower is now a landmark of La Caletta and can be accessed by a walkway. Also around the marina, don't miss the lovely mosaic measuring over 600 feet long by artist Mimmo Bove and local schoolchildren that depicts Sardinia's natural bounty and wildlife.