Porto Torres Beaches

Overview

Porto Torres offers a different kind of Sardinian beach holiday, serving as a practical and lively base for exploring the island's magnificent northern coastline. While it is a functional port town rather than a quiet resort, it provides excellent access to some of the region's most famous shores and historical sites. The town itself is home to its own set of charming and convenient beaches, allowing visitors to easily combine city life with relaxing days by the sea.

Right from the town, you can enjoy the local city beaches. Spiaggia di Balai is a beloved cove known for its clear water and scenic park setting, making it a town favorite. For ultimate convenience, Spiaggia Scoglio Lungo is just a short walk from the center, perfect for a quick swim. However, the true highlight for many is the essential day trip to Spiaggia La Pelosa, a world-renowned beach in nearby Stintino celebrated for its shallow, turquoise waters. For those seeking more space, the vast sands of Spiaggia di Platamona offer a classic beach day experience favored by locals.

Beyond these top spots, the area's coastline is rich with variety. You can discover shores of white pebbles like Le Saline near Stintino or find even more stretches of sand and hidden coves perfect for a coastal adventure. Porto Torres acts as the perfect gateway to this diverse seaside landscape, with many more beautiful locations detailed in our full list of beaches.

Top Beaches

FAQ

Is Porto Torres worth visiting for a beach holiday?

Porto Torres is a practical base for a holiday that combines beach time with history and exploring northern Sardinia. While it has its own convenient city beaches like Balai and Scogliolungo, it's primarily a functional port town rather than a dedicated beach resort. It's best for travelers who appreciate having urban amenities and want a strategic location to visit more famous beaches like La Pelosa in Stintino and explore nearby historical sites.

Spiaggia di Balai

Spiaggia La Pelosa

Can you swim at the beaches in Porto Torres or is the water affected by the port?

Yes, you can swim at the main city beaches in Porto Torres, such as Balai Beach and Scogliolungo. These beaches are known for their clear water and are popular with locals and tourists for swimming and snorkeling. While Porto Torres has a large industrial and commercial port, the popular swimming spots are situated along the coastline away from the main industrial activity, in small coves and stretches of sand with good water quality.

Spiaggia di Balai

Spiaggia Scoglio Lungo

How do the beaches in Porto Torres compare to Stintino or Alghero?

The beaches directly in Porto Torres, like Balai, are smaller coves, convenient and often lively, but they don't have the epic scale of beaches in nearby famous destinations. Stintino is home to La Pelosa, considered one of Sardinia's most stunning beaches with fine white sand and shallow turquoise water. Alghero offers long sandy beaches like Maria Pia with more resort-style amenities. Porto Torres serves as an excellent base to visit these world-class beaches, which are considered superior in terms of natural beauty.

Spiaggia di Balai

Spiaggia La Pelosa

Beach di Maria Pia

What's the best way to get to La Pelosa beach in Stintino from Porto Torres?

The easiest way to get to La Pelosa beach from Porto Torres is by car, which takes about 30-35 minutes. For those without a car, the regional bus service, ARST, operates a direct line (like the 727 bus) between Porto Torres and Stintino, with stops near the beach. The bus journey takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Spiaggia La Pelosa

Can you find hotels right on the beach in Porto Torres?

Porto Torres has limited options for hotels situated directly on the sand. Most accommodations are located within the town, a short walk from the city beaches like Scogliolungo and Balai. You can find apartments and B&Bs with sea views along the waterfront (Lungomare), but for larger beach resorts, you would typically look towards the nearby Platamona coastline or other resort towns.

See the full list of accommodation options here.

Which beach in Porto Torres is best for families with children?

Scogliolungo beach is often recommended for families due to its shallow, clear waters, making it safer for children. Balai Beach is also a good option for families; it's a small, protected cove with calm water, soft sand, and is located within a pleasant park area. Both are easily accessible from the town center.

Spiaggia Scoglio Lungo

Spiaggia di Balai

Are the beaches in Porto Torres crowded?

The main city beaches, particularly the small cove of Balai, can get very crowded, especially during the peak season of July and August. To find a good spot, it's best to go in the morning. The long sandy beach of Platamona, a short drive away, is much larger, so even when it's busy, it's easier to find space.

Spiaggia di Balai

Spiaggia di Platamona

When is the best time to visit Porto Torres for a beach holiday?

The best time for a beach holiday in Porto Torres is from June to September when the weather is hot and sunny, and the sea temperature is warm and pleasant for swimming. For fewer crowds but still good beach weather, consider visiting in June or September. May and October are also pleasant for exploring, though the sea will be cooler.

People Also Ask

Is Porto Torres a good base for an adventurous or a quiet holiday?

Porto Torres is better suited as a base for an adventurous holiday focused on exploration. Its main advantage is its strategic location and ferry connections, making it a great starting point for day trips to Alghero, Stintino, Castelsardo, and the wild nature of Asinara National Park. The town itself is a lively, working port, not a quiet, secluded resort destination.

What is the Maestrale wind and how does it affect the beaches?

The Maestrale (or Mistral) is a strong, cool northwesterly wind that can be common in Sardinia, particularly on the western and northern coasts where Porto Torres is located. When it blows, it can create large waves and make swimming difficult or unpleasant on exposed beaches like Platamona. However, smaller, sheltered coves like Balai Beach are generally more protected from the wind.

Spiaggia di Platamona

Spiaggia di Balai

Are there any hidden or less-known beaches near Porto Torres?

Yes, for a quieter experience, you can explore the coastline towards Stintino where you'll find beaches like Ezzi Mannu and Le Saline, which are long stretches of sand and small white pebbles. Kayak tours from Porto Torres also reveal secret coves and sea caves that are not accessible by land, such as the beach of Balai Lontana.

Spiaggia di Ezzi Mannu

Spiaggia Le Saline

Spiaggia di Balai

Is it easy to get to the beaches from the town center?

Yes, the main town beaches are very easy to reach. Scogliolungo and Acque Dolci are located right along the town's waterfront promenade, easily accessible on foot. Balai Beach is also within walking distance, located in a park just east of the center. For beaches further afield, like Platamona or Stintino, local buses are available from the main bus station, or you can drive.