Cala Gonone is a perfect holiday destination for lovers of an active holiday of trekking and climbing, as well as enchanting beaches where one can relax in front of crystal-clear waters. However, bad weather can disrupt holiday plans in the event of rain or strong winds. Fortunately, Cala Gonone is not only sea, but also a place rich in nature, enchanting views and very interesting archaeological and cultural sites.
Alternative beaches in case of windy weather
Cala Gonone is a perfect holiday destination for lovers of an active holiday of trekking and climbing, as well as enchanting beaches where one can relax in front of crystal-clear waters. However, bad weather can disrupt holiday plans in the event of rain or strong winds. Fortunately, Cala Gonone is not only sea, but also a place rich in nature, enchanting views and very interesting archaeological and cultural sites.
If the forecast for the day prevents you from going out to sea, such as in the case of rough seas or a Grecale or Tramontana wind, it may be enough to move a little north to the beaches of Cartoe or Osalla di Orosei or to the oasis of Biderosa to spend the day by the sea anyway. The Biderosa oasis also offers several activities to do within the oasis itself.
Archaeological outdoor sites
If you are well trained, in the event of adverse sea conditions you could also take the trek to Cala Luna or Cala Sisine, if the boats do not go out you can enjoy the beach all to yourself, a true wonder!
Alternatively, if you prefer to avoid the sea or weather conditions do not allow it, in the absence of rain there are several nuragic archaeological sites you can visit:
Nuraghe Mannu
Located along the descent of the curves that connect Dorgali to Cala Gonone, Nuraghe Mannu is a fairly well-preserved example of a Nuragic construction. The archaeological site dates back to the Bronze Age and consists of a nuraghe surrounded by several huts. The construction is not intact, but it gives a good idea of what the structure was like, and from there it is also possible to admire the view of the Gulf!
Tiscali
The nuragic village of Tiscali is located halfway between Dorgali and Oliena in the valley of Lanaittu and is set in a wonderful natural setting that is also suitable for trekking routes.
The Nuragic village is an ancient settlement located in the Barbagia region of Sardinia. The village dates back to the Bronze Age and takes its name from the natural cave in which it was built, a large rocky cavity opening on the top of a mountain.
It consisted of a series of stone constructions, including circular houses and nuragic towers, which were connected by a system of roads and retaining walls. The houses were built to fit the shape of the rock and often had several levels, with separate rooms for cooking and sleeping.
The position of the village of Tiscali, protected by the cave and the surrounding mountain, made it a strategic defensive location. In addition, the presence of a system of cisterns to collect water ensured a source of supply for the population.
Today it has been restored and is open to visitors. The visit includes a walk through the mountain to reach the cave, followed by a guided tour inside the village, which offers valuable evidence of the daily life of the ancient inhabitants of Sardinia.
Serra Orrios
Another nuragic village located in the Dorgali area is Serra Orrios, one of the best preserved. It consists of a hundred or so simple huts or huts consisting of several rooms facing a single courtyard
The three sites: Nuraghe Mannu, Tiscali and Serra Orrios are managed by the Archaeological Museum of Dorgali, which you can consult for more information!
What to do in Cala Gonone in case of rain
If, when you wake up, you realise that the rain is going to dampen your day, there are many activities you can do indoors, perhaps even trying to move inside to discover an undiscovered part of Sardinia; let’s see them together:
Cala Gonone Aquarium
In the event of bad weather, you can also visit the Cala Gonone Aquarium. A complex of 25 tanks housing mainly fish from the Mediterranean Sea, some tropical fish and even a touch tank for a total of 300 marine species.
At the end of the visit you can stop for a break at the bar terrace, which has a wonderful view of the Gulf of Orosei, on windy days you can appreciate the enchanting colours of the sea!
If you buy a ticket for the Cala Gonone Aquarium, you can purchase a ticket for the Nivola Museum at a discounted price.
Ispinigoli Cave
The Ispinigoli cave, located about 20 minutes’ drive from Cala Gonone, has been open to the public since 1974 and is part of a different karstic complex from the Grotta del Bue Marino we mentioned earlier. It consists of a single large chamber where a majestic 38-metre-high limestone column stands, the tallest in Europe. The cave can be visited with the guides of the Ghivine Cooperative; they will accompany you along the tour, which lasts about 45 minutes. Due to the height and shape of the cave, if you suffer from vertigo, the visit is not recommended.
Bue Marino Cave
One of Cala Gonone’s most famous attractions is the Bue Marino Cave, located a few minutes by boat from Cala Gonone. The cave owes its name to the presence, until the 1950s, of several monk seal colonies. This enormous limestone cave stretches over 2.5 km and was opened to the public in 1962. It can be reached by boat from the port of Cala Gonone or by an easy half-hour walk from the beach of Cala Fuili. The cave is famous for its spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations. The limestone rock in this area of Sardinia presents many extraordinary karst phenomena. Water, with a work of thousands of years, has worked the rock, giving a world of caves that open into enormous halls and continue with underground rivers
The Bue Marino Cave can also be visited in the rain; at the Cala Gonone harbour boxes you will find all the information you need to reach the cave safely by boat.
Lovers of ancient Sardinian culture will also find many activities to do in case of bad weather: Sardinia is in fact full of places rich in history, which tell the story of this land from the prehistory of the nuraghi to the present day, so you can learn about the history and traditions of ancient Sardinian culture and the artists who have made it famous throughout the world.
We have therefore selected some places of archaeological interest that are easily accessible from the Biriola Eco Resort and our flats:
Dorgali Archaeological Museum
The Dorgali Archaeological Museum is one of the most important cultural attractions in the area and houses a vast collection of archaeological artefacts covering a time span from the Bronze Age to the Roman period.
The museum was opened in 1976 and is located in the historical centre of Dorgali, in an old farmhouse. The museum’s collection is divided into different sections that illustrate the history and culture of Sardinia, particularly the region of Dorgali.
Also at the Archaeological Museum you will find many professionals who take care of the archaeological sites in the area and who will be able to advise you in seeing the archaeological and nuragic sites in the area!
Nuoro Costume Museum
Located about a 45-minute drive from Cala Gonone, the Nuoro Costume Museum, open since 1976, is the largest ethnographic museum in Sardinia. Here, various testimonies of traditional Sardinian life are collected, both in daily life and on feast days, through the telling of costumes and traditions of both dress and all aspects of people’s lives. A visit to the Costume Museum will tell you about authentic Sardinia, which is experienced throughout the year.
Nivola Museum
Located in Orani, not far from Nuoro, in the heart of Barbagia, is a museum where the sculptures and works of Costantino Nivola, a famous artist from Orani, are collected. Costantino Nivola’s sculpture and art began with the traditional materials he learned to handle in Sardinia and developed in contact with the rich cultural environment of New York, where Nivola lived and worked.
The museum is about an hour’s drive from Cala Gonone and entrance tickets and discounts can be purchased from their website
