Isola Rossa in brief – travel information and more

Isola Rossa, located in the north of Sardinia and overlooking the island of the same name, was once an old fishing village transformed into a picturesque holiday destination, surrounded by white sandy beaches and criss-crossed by red granite cliffs. The sea is full of life and a true paradise for underwater excursions.

Due to its strategic location, Isola Rossa has been a popular mooring and viewing point on the Gulf of Asinara in the past. Proof of this is the impressive tower, a legacy of Spanish rule dating back to 1595. As you walk towards the tourist port, it is worth stopping to enjoy the sunset and take souvenir photos of your holiday in Sardinia.

And here are some impressions of this place, written by Maria De Falco Marotta:

The beaches of Isola Rossa

Isola Rossa is a small fishing village that fascinates with the untouched beauty of nature and the wonderful sunsets. It is located in the municipality of Trinità d’Agultu and Vignola and is a popular holiday resort on the Costa Rossa, a stretch of coast of Gallura between Santa Teresa and Badesi. The Costa Rossa, just over an hour’s drive from Olbia or Alghero airports, is still little known, but is in no way inferior to the beaches with fine white sand and crystal clear water of the most famous Costa Smeralda.

The center of Isola Rossa winds between the main road and the coast towards the tourist port, a strategic landing point in the north of Sardinia from which you can set off on exciting boat trips. Shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors and small craft shops alternate with bars with sea views, which are mainly visited for an aperitif or a snack.

Within the town there is the Lunga beach and the small Li Femini beach, both with shallow seabed and transparent water. Not far away is the beautiful bay of La Marinedda, another 2023 Blue Flag beach on the Costa Rossa, which surrounds the stretch of sea that goes from the promontory of Isola Rossa to Punta Li Canneddi. On the rugged coast, which continues towards Costa Paradiso, many small hidden bays fascinate with their wonderful play of colors between rocks and sea.

These include the bay of Cala Rossa, which can be reached in 10 minutes on foot via a path that starts from La Marinedda. A wild beach, strewn with stones that form small ponds; Perfect for children’s swimming and snorkeling.

Hiking trails along the sea will take you to the small beach of Li Tinnari, a true natural paradise, while a few more steps will take you to Li Cossi, a sheltered bay popular with both couples and families with children.

For nature lovers looking for peace and relaxation, the beach of Li Feruli in the direction of Badesi is just the thing, even in the months of July and August it is not over-crowded.

What can I do in Isola Rossa?

The Costa Rossa is a popular hiking destination in Sardinia. The coastal paths of low and medium difficulty offer beautiful emotions and lead to little-crowded beaches among the scents of the lush Mediterranean scrub.

For water sports enthusiasts, the bay of La Marinedda is a paradise: surfing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing and wakeboarding enliven this enchanting beach surrounded by nature. It will be fun to try surfing in one of Italy’s most famous hotspots and the site of the Marinedda Bay Open surfing competition, which attracts the best athletes in the world between the end of August and the first half of September.

Even with a mask and snorkel it’s worth discovering Isola Rossa! Diving between the cliffs of Punta Canneddi and Costa Paradiso will take you into a wonderful underwater world where you can admire red corals and canyons where many species of fish live.

Among the other activities you can do during your holiday in Isola Rossa, you cannot miss an unforgettable boat trip to Corsica or the La Maddalena archipelago or a fun fishing trip with friends in the fish-rich waters of the Gulf of Asinara.