Oristano and its beaches: let yourself be lulled by the blue of the west coast

Oristano, the gold pond that Joneto gave to his beloved, by signing a contract with the devil. Whether this legend is true or not, the city steeped in history, with its mediaeval monuments and west coast beaches, will captivate you (without agreements with Beelzebub).

Our desire is to accompany you beyond the most popular beaches, to discover surprising places, far from the daily frenzy in the name of slow tourism. But each beach in the province of Oristano has its charm. Whatever you decide to visit, you will certainly not go wrong. Here are our tips for your holiday.

The beaches of Oristano, where to go in the city and its surroundings

If you want to immerse yourself in the blue of the west coast, with its unique beaches, here are some tips for you, amongst the many possible choices:

Torregrande is the official beach of Oristano. Not only is it equipped with every comfort, and therefore suitable for families, but you can find riding stables to enjoy the beach from another point of view, making beautiful horse rides.

A sweet sensation under your feet will be the first surprise of Is Arutas, perhaps the best-known beach in the area. Forget the traditional sand: you will be enchanted by white and coloured  quartz, as big as grains of rice. A small treasure to be preserved and admired.

The crystal clear sea will make you get lost in its variations of blue, and you will enjoy snorkelling amongst the rocks, looking for new aquatic friends.

Imagine a spit of land leading to an ancient Spanish Tower. The luxuriant green leaves room for the sand, towards a sea that often plays with the winds. You are in downtown San Giovanni di Sinis. Grab a surfboard, dance with the elements too, and into the sunset enjoy a good beer while toasting the breathtaking view before your eyes.

The mistral is the wind that shapes these beaches the most. However, if you want a more sheltered place, Putzu Idu is the best choice. From the green of the flora to a very light blue, interspersed only with the white of the fine quartz grains.

Sleeping in the city of Oristano, our advice

If you want to discover the hidden history in the streets of the city, listen to the storeys  of its inhabitants and the buildings themselves, we recommend that you stay overnight in one of these recommended facilities; each with its history, peculiarities, and idea of a holiday. From total relaxation to bike-friendly hotels.

The beaches north of the town of Eleonora d’Arborea, up to Bosa

Not only Oristano. The west coast hides other pearls on the coast to experience during your stay in Sardinia.

S’Archittu, the beach where the white rock is king, in the Cuglieri area. A genuine natural monument, worked by the winds as if they were careful craftsmen. It owes its name to a natural arch that came to form, home to some family of birds. A real show to discover the underwater world, ideal for snorkelling. The more daring, on the other hand, challenge fate using the arch as a springboard for adrenaline-pumping dives.

If a not too strenuous walk doesn’t scare you, it is worth discovering Columbargia, in the Tresnuraghes area. Little known, therefore perfect for those who want to avoid excessive crowding. The walk consists of a fairly simple path if done with the right shoes. The path will show you the coloured  rocks of the area, which give the little sand a reddish colour, up to the Torre di Columbargia, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Beyond its beauty, the tower offers unparallelled  views. Is it worth it? It is worth it.

In the Bosa area, there is a breathtaking natural swimming pool: Cane Malu. The colours of the water are so special that they seem part of a Monet painting. Again, we are faced with the magnificence of the work of the winds, and the waves; artists who, in centuries, they have given us this magical place. A walk will take you to this paradise where you can dive and enjoy relaxation; sunset is perhaps the best time to appreciate the play of colour of the white rocks, with the crystalline water tinged with red and orange. Don’t forget the mask, its backdrops are full of sea urchins!

Where to sleep on holiday by the sea north of Oristano

If you want to sleep along the splendid Sardinian west coast, we have some advice for you:

• B&B Sa Cottilla: a relaxing garden where you can eat and admire the prickly pear that is located in the centre  of its courtyard. An old Campidanese house that has found new lifeblood and is ready to welcome you with its colours, the external mosaics, and the smile of the hostess. Because yes, more than a B&B, you will find another place that you can call “home”.
• Aquaesinis Hotel: for a decidedly eco-friendly holiday, this hotel is the choice for you. Three annexes with different accommodation proposals, characterised  either by indoor and outdoor pools or by SPA services. The design of the rooms is simple, elegant, and relaxing, thanks to the pastel colours of the walls. A place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city and everyday life, perfect for your holidays.
• Sa Pedrera hotel: surrounded by greenery, with a style that recalls local tradition, both in the architecture and in the decorations and fabrics, we find this bike-friendly hotel. The long experience of the family that runs it will enrich your holiday with traditional tales related to history, culture, and local food.
• Widespread hotel And Corte Fiorita apartments: above, the ruins of the Castle of Serravalle (or of the Malaspina), next to the river Temo and, in the distance, the blue of the sea. The various views offered by this property are unique. In the heart of Bosa, there is this little gem, characterised  by staff available for any eventuality and to advise you on unmissable places. You can choose between welcoming and comfortable rooms, or elegant apartments with numerous comforts. The suite is divided into two floors, and the panoramic terrace is the perfect place to fully enjoy the view of the city.
• Lucrezia boutique hotel: tradition, greenery, and passion. These are the three words that sum up the hotel in Riola Sardo. As soon as you arrive, you will feel like you have travelled thrutime, with all modern comforts. A peaceful place, where you will find a small cellar with barrels of excellent Vernaccia, typical of the area.
• Is Cheas Boutique Hotel & Wine Resort: The Is Cheas Wine Resort & Boutique Hotel, immersed in the beauty and tranquility of vineyards and gardens, is located on the west coast of Sardinia, near San Vero Milis and a few kilometers from the most beautiful beaches in the area, such as S’Archittu, Rocca Tunda and Is Arutas. Here you can live an unforgettable experience and taste a food and wine proposal of the highest level.
• Horse Country Resort: The Resort Hotel, a prestigious equestrian center among the largest in Europe, with its wellness center specializing in thalassotherapy is located just 300 m from the sea about 18km from Oristano. The resort is perfect for horseback riding vacations in Sardinia with rooms, villas and bungalows and occupies an area of 23 hectares that blend harmoniously and in a balanced way with the surrounding environment.

The beaches south of the city on the border with the Iglesiente

Along the coast that leads from Oristano to the Iglesiente, we find other characteristic places, such as the beach of Abarossa and the beach of Arborea.

The first is characterised  by grains of white golden sand. It stretches for several km with its splendid shallow water, also suitable for the little ones. Not only! The beach has an area equipped for relaxing and entertaining even our four-legged friends: the Dog Beach. The peculiarity that makes it unique is the presence of the Cirras dunes and, to the south, the border with the S’ena Arrubia pond, a protected area since 1977. Why go there? To admire a surprising pink coat: we are no longer talking about the colour of the earth or the sea, it is the flamingos that live there, which you can see in their natural habitat, together with other birds such as the Purple Heron or the Kingfisher.

Moving southward, we meet the wide beach of Arborea, divided into zones. The white colour of the sand contrasts with the blue and green of its seabed, and it can also be visited in the high season thanks to the vastness of the beach. A beach with a wild character, suitable for long walks at sunset, or on horseback. The nearby pine forest offers a place of shelter during the hottest hours, where you can indulge in a quick rest, between one swim and another.

How to get to Oristano and how to reach its beaches

There are several ways to get to Oristano easily.

Cagliari (Elmas) airport is the closest, only 90 km away, while those of Alghero and Olbia are from 150 km to 175 km. The same goes for the port of Cagliari, just over 90 km away, while others, such as Porto Torres and Olbia, are 148 km away, and the other 185 km.

In Oristano, you will also find the railway station, which connects the city to the most important centre s of the region.

By car, the 131 is certainly the best way to reach the city in a short time, both from the south and from the north of Sardinia. If, on the other hand, you want to reach your destination without haste but feasting your eyes on the splendid Sardinian views, we recommend that you take the coastal roads full of panoramic points and postcard views.

Oristano is a delightful town that allows you to move around on foot in the city centre , or by bicycle in full relaxation, not being a crowded metropolis.

To move to the beaches, the car is certainly the most recommended way, together with the bicycle, if the distance does not weigh on you. In some locations, parking is free, while in others it is subject to charges.

If you want to enjoy the view in complete relaxation, you can book a taxi asking for the volume of your shopping in advance, or you can opt for direct buses to the seaside resort of your choice. For Is Arutas, for example, there is an ARST bus (line 430) which, in 50 minutes, takes you to the beach of grains of rice; line 427 takes you to Torregrande beach instead.