Plain and pine groves

Lotzorai

The alluvial plain where the east coast relaxes: long beaches, pine groves and back-dune lagoons.

The Lotzorai plain seen from the hill of the Medusa castle

The Lotzorai plain seen from the hill of the Medusa castle — Photo: Mauromereu · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lotzorai is the comfortable part of this coast. The beaches are long, often shaded by trees, and the car parks do not require a hike. For anyone travelling with a family or equipment it is the obvious choice on days when you would rather not walk.

Behind the shoreline the landscape shifts quickly: channels, market gardens, and the plain climbing towards the first hills. It is a good place to understand how east Sardinia has always alternated farming and the sea rather than living off one alone.

The essential answers

What is it?
A coastal municipality in Ogliastra on a plain crossed by watercourses, with a sandy shoreline and pine groves.
Where is it?
Between Tortolì and Santa Maria Navarrese, on the island's eastern side.
Why visit?
It is the counterpoint to Baunei's vertical coast: here the sea is reachable on foot, with wide beaches and natural shade.
How do you get there?
On the eastern trunk road, with local roads to the beaches.
When to go?
May to September for the sea; the lagoon area is interesting outside the season too.
What is nearby?
Triei, Santa Maria Navarrese, Tortolì, Arbatax.
Where to stay?
I Mandorli, at Triei, is minutes from the plain and lets you alternate beach days with mountain days.
The Lotzorai plain seen from the hill of the Medusa castle

Where to stay

A base for exploring east Sardinia

I Mandorli, at Triei, is minutes from the plain and lets you alternate beach days with mountain days.