Costa Verde – Wild Dunes, Long Sandy Beach

The Costa Verde is one of my highlights in Sardinia. First, there’s the magnificent natural landscape with its vast sand dunes. Then, the seemingly endless sandy beach. In the hinterland, hikes on rocky ridges and visits to the slowly decaying buildings and facilities of former mining operations beckon. The southwest presents a completely different face compared to the rocky cliffs at Torre Argentina near Bosa or the cliffs on the west coast near Alghero. These varied landscapes make Sardinia such an attractive travel destination.

Amidst the protected nature, two bumpy gravel roads lead to Piscinas and Scivu beaches. Piscinas was once the former loading station for ore from the mining operations in Ingurtosu in the mountains of the hinterland. The rusty remains of the old mine railway in the dunes can still be visited. Meanwhile, the listed buildings have been converted into a hotel. However, the beach is accessible to all visitors; there are sun lounger and parasol rentals, a lifeguard service, and two bars. In the evening, you can sit there and simply watch the fantastic sunset over the sea.

During the day, you can’t walk on the heated sand without shoes without burning your soles. Next to the path to the beach, you can climb one of the large dunes. Unfortunately, the observation tower up there was broken and closed, but even so, a wide panorama was offered. A little inland lies the shady and cosy Sciopadroxio campsite, if you don’t want to stand on the dusty and hot car park by the beach.

On the approach from the north, we passed the mining settlement of Montevecchio during the crossing through the coastal mountains. The large mine is increasingly decaying, but guided tours of the building complex are offered. The narrow, winding road now descends to the sea. On the right, you can hike to the volcanic rock formations of Monte Arcuento and Monte Genna Limpa. It was simply too hot for us to do that today. The onward journey from Marina di Arbus to Piscinas was via the notorious dirt track with its two fords. They had such a low water level that I could drive through even without four-wheel drive or off-road capability.

More pictures in the ‘Sardinia’ gallery.