Arzachena: what to do, see and where to eat

Discover with us this corner of paradise less than half an hour from Porto Cervo

Arzachena is a small town in Sardinia, located in the Gallura region in the northeastern part of the island. This village combines impressive landscapes, archaeological sites (click here to discover them all) and breathtaking beaches nearby (find the most beautiful beaches in the area here). It is close to the town of Porto Cervo, just a 20-minute drive away, and offers many opportunities to rent a vehicle to explore the nature of the island, giving you an unforgettable experience.
Over the years, Arzachena has grown in importance, thanks to its strategic location that allows visitors to stay there and visit other surrounding towns. Today, it is a prominent destination that offers elegant hotels to stay in and delicious Sardinian cuisine specialties to taste. You can also read our interview with Roberto Ragnedda, mayor of Arzachena, here.

Villaggio nuragico La Prisgiona

WHAT TO DO IN ARZACHENA

• The Staircase of Santa Lucia

The Santa Lucia Staircase is the famous and colorful staircase that leads to the church of Santa Lucia. At the top of the stairs it is possible to enjoy panoramic views of the city and the distant mountains in the background. The artwork on the staircase changes periodically and this year is titled The essence of Gallura by Fabio Petani. The work features rosemary, olive and myrtle as symbols of regeneration, peace and purity, conveying a message of environmental protection (you can read an interview with the artist about his work here).

Scalinata della chiesa di Santa Lucia ad Arzachena, opera di Fabio Petani 'Essenze di Gallura' (ph. Isabella Chiodino)

• Roccia del Fungo

The mushroom rock or Roccia del Fungo is an interesting rock formation shaped by the wind that resembles a mushroom. This granite irregular formation is located a few minutes from the town center and it stands vertically up to 5 meters on top of a hill. 

Il Fungo

• Beaches

Costa Smeralda is home to a great number of spectacular beaches of dusty sand and aquamarine seawater. Many of them can easily reach from Arzachena such as La Pitrizza beach which is 14 minutes away or Le Piscine beach situated 17 minutes away by car. Spiaggia del principe, also called Poltu Li Cogghi o Portu Li Coggi, is a stunning beach located 24 minutes by car from Arzachena. This beach displays turquoise transparent water and white sand surrounded by green uncontaminated Mediterranean vegetation. Prince Karim Aga Khan's, considered the founding father of Costa Smeralda, fell in love with this breathtaking place around 60 years ago, hence its name Prince’s beach in his honour (read here about Prince Karim Aga Khan's favourite beach).

Spiaggia del Principe

• La Prisgiona Nuraghe Complex

It is a well- preserved archeological site located in Capichera valley, a short distance from Arzachena.  La Prisgiona Nuraghe Complex is composed of numerous remains of the Nuragic civilization dating back to the Bronze Age in Sardinia spread across 5 hectares, making it a unique archeological complex in the region. The complex hosts a main tower of 6 meters and two side towers, there is also a ring-shaped bench with 16 seats within the “meeting hut” where it is believed people congregate nested in the wild olive trees. The walkways allow visitors to take a closer look at the different huts and remnants, nearby it is the tomb of the giants of Coddu 'Ecchju and the Nuragic temple of Malchittu.

La Prisgiona

• Nuragic necropolis of Li Muri

The Necropolis of  di Li Muri, situated in the countryside of Arzachena, is the oldest burial site in the region from the second half of the 4th century BC. The necropoli comprises four circular tombs whose sizes vary from five to eight and half meter in diameter, encircled by stones stuck vertically marking the limits of one another. The bodies were probably buried individually, different from other burial sites in Sardinia where people were buried collectively. Different funerary objects were found with the body such as axes, necklaces, pottery and stone vases.

• Giants’ Tomb of Coddu Vecchiu

Giants’ Tomb of Coddu Vecchiu, also called Coddu ‘Ecchju, was a funerary site by the Nuragic civilization. It was originally built as a tunnel tomb in the early Bronze Age and today is located 700 meters away from La Prisgiona Nuraghe Complex. Consisting of 11 stones arranged in semicircle, the stele of 4 meter high consists of two large stones with a carved entrance leading to a room of nine meters long, with a paved floor. 

Tombe dei Giganti di Coddu Vecchiu (ph. Dario Garofalo)

• Nuraghe Albucciu

It is the perfect starting point to visit the different archeological sites as it is only 4 minutes away from Arzachena city center. Surrounded by wild olives trees and the countryside, Nuraghe Albucciu is a characteristic and relevant example of “corridor” building, also known as protonuraghe. Also, one of the most important remnants in the site is a circular hut that was part of the village.

Complesso di Nuraghe Albucciu

• Giants’ Tomb Moru & Giants’ Tomb Li Lolghi 

Giants’ Tomb Moru was a megalithic mass grave which consists of a rectangular corridor dating back to the 13th century BC, just 5 minutes from Arzachena city center. Giants’ Tomb Li Lolghi was a collective burial site of the Nuraghic civilization situated on top of a hill near Li Longhi, one of the most ancient civilizations that lived on the island. It is composed of a long corridor and around ten stones set vertically in a semicircle, and one stele at the center. These burial sites shed light on the traditions and lives of ancient civilisations.

WHAT TO SEE IN THE SURROUNDINGS

• Cannigione

Just 10 minutes by car from Arzachena is Cannigione, a perfect place for an all-day beach plan to relax under the sun and dive into the shimmering sea. Cannigione beach presents crystal indigo seawater and white sand ideal for families as the seabed is shallow. It is located a short distance from the village of Cannigione, however, there are bars and restaurants nearby and umbrellas and chairs can be rented. Mannena is another beach and it is one of the largest beaches in Arzachena, it has transparent and clean water and it is never too crowded. There are amenities and places to rent sunbeds and umbrellas. 

Cannigione

• Baja Sardinia 

Baja Sardinia is located in northern Sardinia just 17 minutes by car from Arzachena and it is a destination offering diverse modern accommodation facilities and fun for everybody, from water parks to scuba-diving. Baja Sardinia is famous for its beaches for thin sand and transparent seawater: Cala Battistoni beach presents dusty white sand and blue crystal clear water surrounded by the mountains and the green vegetation. There are diverse services, restaurants, ice-cream parlors close by to enjoy a comfortable day by the sea. 

Baja Sardinia

• San Pantaleo

San Pantaleo is a picturesque village with a lively atmosphere around 15 minutes from Arzachena. Encircled by the rocky mountains, San Pantaleo is called the town of artists as it is home to artists' shops such as painters, potters and sculptors and also modern and luxury boutiques. The hamlet welcomes visitors with its granite-cover houses decorated with potted plants and the small main square where people gather around the bars and restaurants to admire the sunset (click here to find out everything you can do and see in San Pantaleo)

San Pantaleo

WHERE TO EAT IN ARZACHENA

• Shergan Ristorante
  Ss 125 Km 337 - Loc. Bucchi Toltu
  Tel. + 39 3427291726

Just 8 minutes away from the town center, it is Shergan Ristorante immersed in green lush vegetation. Shergan presents a seafood-based menu featuring sea urchin, lobster, and oysters and also carefully selected meat from the local market. All these savory dishes can be paired with great wines from its own cellar to get a complete Sardinian experience. Guests can enjoy a relaxing meal in the garden surrounded by green countryside or a more intimate table under the cool shade of a tree. 

Shergan

• Surrau Cantine
  S.P. Porto Cervo Arzachena Km 1
  Tel. + 39 078982933

Surrau Cantine is nestled in the vast vineyards on the outskirts of Arzachena, only 7 minutes by car from the Arzachena. The restaurant welcomes guests into a daydreaming estate offering tours around their own vineyards and wine tastings guided by an expert sommelier. Surrau Cantine serves exquisite dishes delicately prepared which are paired with Sardinian wines in a serene atmosphere overlooking the green soft hills in the background. 

Surrau Cantine

• L’ Assaggio Ristorante
  Via Zara, 36 - San Pantaleo
  Tel. +39 339 338 17 40

L’ Assaggio Ristorante is located in the historic center of San Pantaleo, only 15 minutes from Arzachena. This restaurant offers lunch and dinner everyday and it specializes in seafood. One of its main specialties is mussels of the region prepared in 18 different recipes such as fried mussels with tempura vegetable sticks. The menu can be adapted for kids, vegetarians or vegan. L’ Assaggio Ristorante promises a journey through the flavors of Sardinia immersed in a relaxing atmosphere. 

L'Assaggio Ristorante

WHERE TO SLEEP IN ARZACHENA

• Cascioni Eco Retreat
  SP 59 bis - Arzachena
  Tel. +39 0789 387537

Cascioni Eco Retreat is a 5 star hotel around ten minutes from the town that welcomes guests in a slow-paced environment surrounded by olives and fruit trees, and aromatic plants. Each room is delicately furnished with all the comforts such as an airy living room, own porch and private swimming pool looking over the breathtaking landscape. Cascioni Eco Retreat has a mediterranean spa offering beauty treatments that use medicinal plants and aromatic herbs from the parkland. Ulìa restaurant features authentic Sardinian cuisine to discover the flavors of the region. 

Cascioni Eco Retreat

• Petra Segreta Resort & Spa
  Via Buddeu snc - San Pantaleo
  Tel. +39 0789 1876441

This 5-star resort enjoys an exclusive location nestled in the hills of San Pantaleo offering first-rate services and hospitality. The spacious and comfortable rooms are furnished with a private heated pool and verandas that look over the breathtaking countryside, there are rooms with garden views or sea views. Petra Segreta has three unique restaurants: Il Fuoco Sacro, first Michelin Star, Osteria di Mirto, overlooking the swimming pool and Terraza del Mirto for an aperitif at sunset. There is also a wellness center offering holistic and beauty treatments in a hut hidden in the rocks.

Petra Segreta Resort & Spa

• Felix Hotels Parco Degli Ulivi
  Località Rena - Arzachena
  Tel. +39 0789 1713663

Parco Degli Ulivi is a 4 stars hotel that offers an oasis just 5 minutes away from the city. The stone-wall hotel features rooms split across three villas in the parkland; the comfortable rooms are equipped with a minibar, coffee machine and a private balcony furnished with a table and chairs looking over the rocky mountains. There is an oval-shaped swimming pool encircled by dense deep green vegetation making it the perfect place to admire the sunset or to relax during a summer evening. The Parco Degli Ulivi organizes boat trips to the enchanting islands of the Maddalena Archipelago (to find out what to do and where to go on Maddalena, click here).

Hotel Felix Parco Degli Ulivi

• Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru
  Località Lu Ciaccaru, Strada Arzachena / S. Antonio di Gallura
  Tel. +39 0789844001

Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru is a luxury countryside resort that makes you feel at home just 5 minutes away from Arzachena. Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru offers well-equipped rooms with panoramic varanda nestled in the emerald green and the relaxing silence of the countryside, also, there are exclusive suites with private pools and a shower with a steam bath. Breakfast is all homemade serving jams, local honey, biscuits and for dinner La Cimenea restaurant features fragrant and savory Sardinian cuisine prepared with local fresh products and vegetables from their garden.

Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru

HOW TO ARRIVE TO ARZACHENA FROM PORTO CERVO

Head northwest on Via Sa Conca in the direction of Piazzetta del Cervo. Turn left onto SP59.  At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on SP59 per 8.9 km. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto SS 125 Orientale Sarda. There are some free parking spaces in different parts of the town such as in Via Costa Smeralda or in 125 Orientale Sarda. There are some free parking spaces in different parts of the town such as in Via Costa Smeralda or in 125 Orientale Sarda.