A Complete Guide To Calasetta, Sardinia

Calasetta – or Cala di Seta, as it used to be known – is one of the most charming small towns in Sardinia, and if you are exploring the south of the island you should make it a point to visit, at least for a day.

This small town features bright white buildings; colorful balconies decorated with flowers; cobbled alleys with the odd sleepy cat: it is simply picture perfect. Add a handful of gorgeous beaches; a fantastic Museum of Contemporary Art; a scenic lighthouse and a fantastic winery, and you will want to visit.

Curious to find out more about it? Read on!

Some Background Information On Calasetta

Located on Sant’Antioco island in the Sulcis Archipelago, in Southwestern Sardinia, Calasetta was founded in 1769 when 38 families of coral fishermen from the Tunisian island of Tabarka (who had originally settled there from Genoa) moved there. In this, it shares a story similar to that of nearby Carloforte.

Later on, tuna fishermen arrived, and settlers from Piedmont who brought grapes with them. 

Today, the language spoken in Calasetta is Tabarkian – an interesting Ligurian / Genoese dialect, completely different from Sardinian, the minority language spoken on the main island.

The Best Beaches In Calasetta

There are three sandy beaches in Calasetta, whereas the rest are small rocky coves, jagged cliff formations and scenic fjords. 

Sottotorre

The main beach of Calasetta is easily reached from the village. It’s characterized by incredibly fine white sand and the clearest shallow waters you could hope for, perfect for families with small children. 

The beach is equipped with kiosks and places to rent umbrellas and other beach equipment. There is parking nearby.

Spiaggia Grande

Measuring roughly one km, this is one of the largest beaches in Calasetta. It is highly exposed to the winds, so a great place for windsurfing or kitesurfing. If you aren’t a great swimmer or a fan of the wind, avoid it on windy days.

The beach is located about 4 km from Calasetta. There is a parking spot on site, and you will find a kiosk and umbrellas and chairs for rent.

Another great beach for windsurfers is Cussorgia, 4 km east of the village.

Cala Lunga

Cala Lunga is located on a lovely fjord and as such it is incredibly sheltered from the wind. It features beautiful rock formations and shallow waters. 

The beach is about 20 minutes drive from Calasetta. There is parking on site, but nothing else in terms of services.

La Salina

A beautiful beach characterized by fine pale grey sand. It features sand dunes on which you will be able to spot beautiful marine lilies and other Mediterranean vegetation. The transparent water is rather shallow, so even non-experienced swimmers and children can enjoy it.

You will find sun-beds and umbrellas for rent, and a kiosk for drinks and light meals. It can get very crowded in the peak months.

Cala Tuffi

Not far from Cala Lunga, Cala Tuffi is a beautiful natural pool.

To get to Cala Tuffi, drive on Strada Comunale per Cala Sapone towards Mercury Boutique Hotel. Once you park the car, it’s a nice walk downhill. Alternatively you can follow the trail that starts near Cala Lunga and will take you there in about 20 minutes. You can also get there by boat.

Cala Sapone

Located about 20 minutes drive from Calasetta, Cala Sapone has thick grain sand mixed with small pebbles and corals. From there, you can walk or swim to Cala della Signora – another scenic cove.

Parking is somewhat limited on the site, so make sure to go very early in the morning or around lunch time, when families leave, to get a spot. You will find a kiosk, as well as umbrellas and sun-beds for rent.

What To See And Do In Calasetta

If you get tired of going to the beach, or if you visit off-season, Calasetta has a lot more to offer. Here is a selection of the things you shouldn’t miss.

Go wine tasting at Cantina di Calasetta 

Cantina di Calasetta (Calasetta Winery) was established in 1932 and is one of the oldest ones in Sardinia. Perched atop the island, this winery produces some fabulous wines. Covering around 200 hectares, the main production is of Carignan grapes (and Carignano wine) but you will also find Vermentino and Moscato. The winery has a wine shop and a tasting room, and you can go on guided tours (which obviously include tasting). Make sure to call ahead!

Make sure to check out my post 15 Must Visit Wineries In Sardinia.

Visit the Calasetta Museum of Contemporary Art

Calasetta Museum of Contemporary Art (MACC) is one of the best museums in Sardinia. It is located in a former slaughterhouse, over two floors, and it is mostly dedicated to pieces that date back to the second half of the 20th century, with a strong focus on abstract and constructivist art and art from the 1960s and 1970s.

There is a permanent exhibit entirely dedicated to Ermanno Leinardi, a local artist; as well as temporary ones.

Admire the view of the Mangiabarche Lighthouse

The area where the Mangiabarche lighthouse is located is simply splendid. Visit in the summer and you will find a tiny beach with clear water perfect for snorkeling and diving. Go on a windy day and the scenery will be completely different, with the strong waves breaking on the shore on the rocks where the lighthouse is perched. 

The name, Mangiabarche (Boat Eater, in English) is clearly evocative of what has happened – and continues happening. Despite the presence of the lighthouse, boats regularly crash there. 

It’s is a memorable photo location, especially at sunset.

Go to Nido dei Passeri

About 5 km from Calasetta, along the main road, there are two massive rocks emerging from the water and commonly called “Nido dei Passeri” or Bird’s Nest in English. The name refers to the fact that birds typically create their nest on those rocks. It’s one of the most scenic spot on the island and you definitely should not miss it!

To book a sunset walk to the Nido dei Passeri, click here.

Admire the Torre Sabauda

The Torre Sabauda of Calasetta was built between March 1756 and June 1757, during the Savoy kingdom and before Calasetta was actually founded in 1770.

Built with local materials – local stones and sand – and other materials taken from nearby places, the Torre Sabauda’s purpose was that of watching over San Pietro Channel, and of defending local tuna fisheries and the nearby Carloforte and – later on – Calasetta itself from pirates.

The tower has a cone shape, similar to that of many other towers found in Sardinia. It is about 12 meters tall, and the main entrance was at 5 meters from the ground – access used to be by way of a drawbridge. Inside, there is a staircase built within the wall that goes all the way to the terrace.

At the ground level you will find a small but well curated Museum of Archeology; whereas the terrace is used for ceremonies and temporary exhibits. 

Visit the Domu de Janas di Tupei

Domus de Janas – literally fairies or witches houses – are found throughout Sardinia, where there are around 2000. According to legend these small dwellings were inhabited by tiny creatures. In reality, they were burial grounds where tombs were dug out of rocks. 

Not far from Calasetta you will find several archeological sites that testify to the ancient past of Sant’Antioco island. The Domu de Janas di Tupei is one of them, along with a few nuraghe scattered in the countryside. Pair a visit with a trip to the Archeological Museum Ferruccio Barreca (MAB) in Sant’Antioco town for a more complete experience.

Visit the nearby Sant’Antioco

About 20 minutes drive from Calasetta, Sant’Antioco is the main town on the island. Only 12000 people live there, yet it is quite interesting to visit, and incredibly photogenic. 

Once a Phoenician-Punic colony, the town became a Roman City later on in history. It is a maze of alleys with colorful buildings, lovely restaurants along the waterfront, and a small but good museum of archeology. Other places of interest include the ethnographic museum and a fort.

Linger on for sunset, as the light descending on the fishing boats in the lagoon give it a magic aura. 

Take a day trip to Carloforte

Located on San Pietro island, Carloforte is a 30-minutes ferry ride from Calasetta, and with so many daily departures it is an easy day trip – though to be fair, I think it deserves more than just a day.

This small town is incredibly colorful, and close to a multitude of absolutely gorgeous beaches, viewpoints and places of historical interest. It’s also a great place for diving and snorkeling. 

If you intend to explore the island rather than just the village, make sure to take your car to Carloforte.

If you have a chance, try to visit Carloforte in early June, for the Girotonno – its famous tuna festival.

Make sure to read my post A Complete Guide To Carloforte And Isola Di San Pietro, Sardinia.

Practical Information To Plan Your Trip To Calasetta

How to get to Calasetta

Calasetta is 85 km far from Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, on Sant’Antioco island, in the Sulcis Archipelago, which is connected to mainland Sardinia via an isthmus. You can get there by car or public transportation. 

By car

Follow SS130 all the way to Carbonia, from where you must follow SS126. The overall trip will take you around 1.5 hours

By public transport

This is a long trip, but doable: take the train from Cagliari train station to Carbonia. Once there, take Bus 802 to Calasetta. The overall journey will take about 3 hours.

Guided tours of Calasetta

If you are short on time, you may want to opt for a guided tour that goes through Calasetta and also takes you to Sant’Antioco and Carloforte. You may want to check out this guided tour of San Pietro Island. You can book it here or here.

Where to stay in Calasetta

Calasetta is a small town, so sleeping options are limited. Opt to stay in nearby Sant’Antioco for wider choice. Having said that, here is a selection of good places to stay.

Hotel Cala di Seta – located in the heart of Calasetta, this hotel offers small but comfortable and spotless rooms. It’s pet friendly, and breakfast is included in the price of the room.

MuMA Hostel – on the waterfront of Sant’Antioco, it has budget friendly, comfortable spacious rooms. The hostel has its own art gallery, pets are allowed and breakfast is included in the price.

Where to eat and drink in Calasetta

When in town, make sure to try gallettine, a local crispy bread perfect in salads, soups or as a simple snack. 

The following are the best restaurants and bars in Calasetta:

OASI BLU – A bit outside of town, this beautiful restaurant has a strong focus on traditional local fare, but you will also find vegan and vegetarian options.

LA PERLA – One of the nicest restaurants on the waterfront where your taste buds will pop at the delicious seafood and fish. Not your thing? There are options for meat lovers and even vegetarians.

DA PASQUALINO – A good pizzeria trattoria with plain but tasty dishes. Prices are fair and service quick. 

Further Readings

Make sure to check out these posts to better plan your trip to Sardinia:

• Where Is Sardinia?
• How To Get To Sardinia: Routes From Italy And Europe
• What You Should Know Before Traveling To Sardinia
• 10 Absolutely Unmissable Things To Do In Sardinia
• The Most Incredible Day Trips From Cagliari
• The Nicest Small Towns And Cities In Sardinia
• The Best Islands Of Sardinia

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