National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu

Park Sardinian national park of rugged coasts and mountains

On Sardinia’s east coast and interior, the National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu covers mountains, sea cliffs and a rugged gulf with boat-access beaches, caves and inland hiking trails.

Main image

The National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu is a protected area on eastern Sardinia that includes coastal cliffs, sea caves and the Gennargentu mountain massif. It covers both marine and inland karst landscapes and protects diverse coastal and mountain habitats.

The park is known for its dramatic coves and beaches such as Cala Goloritzé and Cala Luna, steep limestone cliffs, sea caves and clear turquoise water that attract boat trips and snorkeling. Inland, the Gennargentu and Supramonte plateaus offer rugged hiking, pastoral scenery and highland trails.

The protected area was created to conserve Sardinia’s coastal and mountain ecosystems and to regulate tourism and grazing practices in sensitive karst zones. Conservation measures have focused on balancing visitor access to iconic beaches with habitat protection.

Stretching along the eastern coast of Sardinia, the park lies between coastal towns such as Cala Gonone and Baunei and extends inland into the Gennargentu range, combining seaside and mountainous terrain.

  • Access: Many of the best beaches and coves along the gulf are accessible only by boat or by long coastal hikes, so boat services from nearby towns are a common way to visit.
  • Landscape: The area combines marine cliffs and interior mountain terrain, offering both sea caves and highland trails for hiking and climbing.

What to See #

  • Cala Goloritzé: Cala Goloritzé - a famed limestone cove and beach reached by boat or a steep inland trail, notable for its striking karst spire and clear water.
  • Cala Luna: Cala Luna - a large crescent beach with sea caves and cliffs on the Gulf of Orosei, accessible by boat or by the coastal walking routes.
  • Gennargentu and Supramonte: Gennargentu massif and Supramonte - the inland mountain massif of central-eastern Sardinia that provides high-elevation trails, karst plateaus and pastoral landscapes.
National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu
40.1920, 9.4840

How to Get to National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu #

Coastal access is usually by boat from ports such as Cala Gonone or Arbatax. By road, the nearest larger towns (e.g., Nuoro, Dorgali) provide access to trailheads for Gennargentu. Ferries and private boats serve the coves during the tourist season.

Tips for Visiting National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu #

  • Hire a local boatman to reach beaches like Cala Luna or Cala Goloritzé-access by sea gives the best sense of the cliffs.
  • Avoid August weekends when Sardinians head to the coast; late June or September will give clearer waters and fewer crowds.
  • If driving inland toward Gennargentu, allow extra time: narrow mountain roads and sheep crossings slow everything down.

Best Time to Visit National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu #

Late spring through early autumn; for hiking choose shoulder seasons (May or September) to avoid heat and peak crowds.

Summer
Jun-Aug · 24-30°C (75-86°F)
Beach weather and boat access to coves, but also the busiest season with crowded ferries.
Late spring/early autumn
May, Sep-Oct · 18-24°C (64-75°F)
Warmer water and fewer tourists-good for hiking and coastal excursions.

Weather & Climate near National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu #

Climate

National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (721 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
41°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
13.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 17°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
14.3h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
14° 21°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
14.8h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 12 mm and clear sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 25°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

12 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
14.6h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 25°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
13.6h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
14° 21°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
11° 17°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
12°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 100 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

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