Touristic paths

The Island of l’Asinara, which once hosted a prison and a maximum security penitentiary, has been declared National Park since 1998.

So now it can be visited with guided excursions from Porto Torres, Stintino and Castelsardo.

What the Island has to offer is a still unspoiled pristine nature. Its rocky jagged coastline, full of tiny hidden beaches and inlets will daze and impress anyone with its sceneries of unsurpassed primeval beauty, both for the crystal-clear waters of its sea, the clean beaches and the Mediterranean low vegetation.

The Island in fact still preserves distinctive endemic species of plants, and it is populated by unique species of animals, such as: …the white Sardinian donkey, the boar and deer as well as other smaller species.

Different types of organized excursions to the Island can be arranged: a ferryboat brings the tourists to the Island, after which one may either choose to pay for a van which drives the tourists around, or drive an off-road or rent a bicycle. It might actually be a great idea to go round the Island by boat and get a chance to bathe, have a swim and even do some photo diving in this rich natural aquarium, spending whole unforgettable days amidst such unspoiled nature.

It may even be of interest to visit the old prison, as it represents and carries a long and interesting part of both the Island’s and Italy’s history, relating mainly to important recent events of the mainland.

Only 25 Km away from Campsite International, Castelsardo is built on a massive rock placed right at the center of Gulf of Asinara.

Its ancient mediaeval town tells a story of successive occupations going as far back as the 12 Century (Spanish, Genovese, Aragon’s, etc…), and still preserves itself with its original houses and streets all tightly wrapped around the Castle (or Fortress) exactly as they were built centuries ago; the Fortress itself was once deemed invincible.

Basket weaving and the cutting of corals are examples of the level and refinement of the local craftsmanship. The seasonal local cuisine offers exquisite rich recipes based on fish, crustaceans and sea-fruits.

The building of a bigger touristic port – which gathers a small fishing fleet – has greatly improved boat tourism and pleasure crafting, which has given further impulse to the development of tourism for this attractive sea port.

(35 Km from Campsite International)

The original village was founded in XIX century to host about fifty families of fishermen which were evacuated from l’Asinara to allow the building of the prison.

Today it has become a destination of choice for both elite and popular tourism, during the summer months.

The main beach, la Pelosa, deserves its fame as being one of the most beautiful (and most crowded) tropical-looking beaches of the Island, with its very white and thin sand, and the emerald colors of the crystal clear shallow waters.

(4 Km from Campsite International)

This is the ancient Turris Lybissonis which, in Roman times used to be the upper end of a road which connected the north with the south of the Island.

The town during the ’70 became an important industrial center, but lately the balance has started to swiftly shift towards tourism as a more reliable source of income. Its main wealth though remains the port, where both tourists and goods are regularly landed here by ships coming from all over the Mediterranean.

Touristically, the main attractions are the Roman and pre-Nuragic archeological sites.

(14 Km from Campsite International)

This is the town which gave Italy two presidents of the Republic as well as other important politicians and party leaders who changed the history of our country; and also the site of an ancient and prestigious university.

Its big historical city center silently talks to the visitors about important events which involved the history of the Mediterranean states, dating as far back as the XIII century.

The city’s main tourist attractions are the “Cavalcata Sarda”, which is a parade where people march wearing ancient clothes and dresses once worn by Sardinian people; they march both on foot, with carts and on horseback, dancing and singing along the streets, and usually it takes place on the last Sunday of May.

Another interesting appointment for tourists is the “Candelieri” (chandeliers), another colorful and noisy parade of Religious origins this time, in honor of the Virgin Mary who according to the tradition had put an end to the pestilence which struck Sassari in 1636.

(40 Km from Campsite International)

Alghero is a town of Catalonian origins where Catalan is still spoken and ancient Catalonian traditions are preserved. Its historical center is well kept, and still shows ancient fortified walls such as those of medieval towns.

But this is also one of the main tourist resorts of the Island, and becomes very highly populated during the summer months, where thousands of tourists get crammed on its beautiful beaches; it is also a place with very intense and lively nights, full of parties, discos and outdoor bars.

Its national park is breathtaking and wide, extending along the coastline from Porto Conte to Capo Caccia; and it nurtures some rare species of animals, such as the Sardinian Vulture (Grifone) which still nests here, though it was thought to be almost extinct.

Here, an important touristic attraction is the so called “Caves of Neptune” (Grotte di Nettuno), which are nothing but natural underground limestone caves which can be accessed at sea-level either by boat or coming down via an almost 700 step steep stairway carved in the overhanging rock. Alghero is also a place where both fishing and the craftsmanship of corals are ancient traditions.