Sardinia’s west coast · Italy
In Bosa, colourful houses line the river, with small town streets behind and the beach out by the sea. Further south, Cabras and Sinis have ancient ruins, lagoon food and pale quartz beaches.
Two possible stays of seven–ten days.
Or a selection of the coast over two–three weeks.
The area on the map
Bosa lies north of the Sinis peninsula. Heading south, suitable bases become more widely spaced, with mining sites along the cliff coast and Carloforte out on San Pietro island.
Alghero is shown as a possible arrival point north of Bosa. Mal di Ventre is an optional island visit off Sinis.
A stay of seven–ten days
The streets of Sa Costa and the walk up towards the castle can fill a morning before an evening dining in town. Bosa Marina offers a beach day, and the local Malvasia wine is something to try with a meal.
A holiday here can easily use the same base all week, with sailing outings when conditions suit. The old town and the harbour area at the river mouth are some distance apart; the berth determines the route to town and beach.
Municipal Sas Covas and the separate Bosa Marina concession are other facilities.
Another stay of seven–ten days
Here, the museum, ruins and beaches can each have their own day. Cabras has lagoon food, including bottarga — salted and dried fish roe often used with pasta.
The Giovanni Marongiu museum in Cabras displays the large stone figures from Mont’e Prama. The excavation site is elsewhere and is a separate visit.
Tharros lies out on the peninsula, with ancient streets and ruins close to the sea. Tharros and San Giovanni di Sinis can fill a day, with a break at the beach.
Museum and Tharros: visits and tickets ↗
The beach is known for its small, pale quartz grains. It is a fine place to allow time for swimming and a quiet afternoon, reached by car from a base around Cabras.
The island off Sinis can add an extra day at sea. A visit depends on a suitable visitor buoy, conditions and the possibility of going ashore.
North of Sinis is the limestone arch that gave S’Archittu its name. It can be the destination of a separate coastal outing, with time to walk down to the water and see the arch from land.
Cabras and Oristano are towns inland from the coast. Torregrande’s boat harbour lies closer to the sea. San Giovanni and Tharros share one place marker at the end of the peninsula.
Days ashore further south
Around Buggerru and Masua are traces of the mining industry. One or two drives can suit a stay in the south, with time for both visits and the return.
The former ore-loading facility is built into the cliff above the sea. A guided tour enters the galleries; the rocky island of Pan di Zucchero lies offshore.
Porto Flavia is a visitor site, not a marina. Book an available tour and bring closed shoes for the visit.
Porto Flavia: visits and booking ↗The old mine gallery retains traces of the railway and openings onto the cliff coast. Visits must be booked; the municipality directs visitors to the current visiting arrangements.
Galleria Henry: visitor information ↗
A sandy beach lies between the steep sides, with dunes and paths behind it. It can have a beach day of its own or be a stop on a drive.
The places can be visited overland, while any overnight boat stay in Buggerru depends on the harbour’s actual access.
Carloforte can be a place to join the boat or prepare it before the next leg. From there, a trip to the mining coast requires a ferry to Portovesme and onward transport on the mainland.
Marine Sifredi lists a 90-tonne crane and boat services. This is a crane, not a travel lift. Lifting arrangements, keel support and any storage must be clarified with Sifredi; this information does not apply to Marinatour.
Marine Sifredi: services ↗Holiday pace
The town, beach and local sailing outings can fill a stay, with Pinna as a possible base if access suits.
Cabras, Tharros, Is Arutas and an outing to S’Archittu. The berth determines whether this is a holiday aboard or a stay ashore.
The stays can be combined with a few days further south, allowing time for the longer coastal legs. Four weeks give more time in the same places.
Longer coastal legs separate the holiday areas. They can be sailed as separate relocation passages or included in the holiday when time and weather suit.
Coming aboard
Alghero is an option for Bosa, while Sinis can be reached via Cagliari Elmas.
Alghero airport, then arranged road transport to the chosen harbour. A direct bus all the way to Bosa is unconfirmed.
Alghero: transport from the airport ↗From Cagliari Elmas, a train towards Oristano is an option, followed by a final transfer to the berth or accommodation.
Elmas: trains and other transport ↗First, transport on the mainland to Portovesme, then a ferry to Carloforte and on to the marina. The ferry crossing is a separate part of the journey.
Portovesme–Carloforte: ferries ↗A short film
The ruins, tower and sea on both sides of the peninsula. Aerial Pictures’ 2020 film gives a fine impression of the landscape around Tharros.
Watch Tharros on YouTube · 2 min 40 sec ↗Links to harbours, visits and transport accompany the practical information.
The photographer, date taken, source and licence appear beside each image. The maps use Natural Earth 1:10m, v5.1.1, with approximate place locations from local sources and Wikimedia.
Natural Earth: map sources ↗Map design: Sophie · CC BY 4.0 ↗