Port and Red Rocks

Arbatax

The east coast's port and its red porphyry rocks — the most recognisable geological signature of coastal Ogliastra.

The red porphyry Rocce Rosse at Arbatax

The red porphyry Rocce Rosse at Arbatax — Photo: Isiwal · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Arbatax is a place of transit that ended up becoming a place to see. Red porphyry emerges from the water beside the port in sharp blocks, in a colour with no equivalent along the rest of the east coast.

It is also where east Sardinia connects to the mainland: ferries, an airport and the old narrow-gauge railway climbing inland. Service timetables and seasonality need checking year by year.

The essential answers

What is it?
The port district of the municipality of Tortolì, with commercial and passenger docks and the well-known red porphyry outcrop at the water's edge.
Where is it?
On Sardinia's east coast, immediately east of Tortolì.
Why visit?
The Red Rocks are an immediate geological and photographic stop; the port is one of the island's main sea gateways on this side.
How do you get there?
A few minutes by car from Tortolì.
When to go?
All year; the best light on the rocks is early morning or at sunset.
What is nearby?
Tortolì, Lotzorai, Bari Sardo, Santa Maria Navarrese.
Where to stay?
Travellers arriving by ferry at Arbatax who want to head inland straight away will find a coherent first stop at I Mandorli in Triei.
The red porphyry Rocce Rosse at Arbatax

Where to stay

A base for exploring east Sardinia

Travellers arriving by ferry at Arbatax who want to head inland straight away will find a coherent first stop at I Mandorli in Triei.