Porto Ferro

Porto Ferro occupies a large inlet on the northwest coast of Sardinia, where about 1.3 kilometers of golden and reddish sand stretch between dunes, a pine forest, and trachyte hills, inside the Lago di Baratz-Porto Ferro protected area of the Natura 2000 network. The bay retains a surprisingly natural character, and its exposure to the mistral, west, and south-west winds often makes the sea rough, making it one of the area's best-known spots for surfing and windsurfing; however, when the waves pick up, particular care must be taken while swimming.

It is at the northern end of the bay, between Torre Bianca and the promontory dominated by Torre Negra, that the sector officially designated for naturism is located, established by the Municipality of Sassari in 2018 following well-established use in previous years. Here, the long main beach gives way to three small coves of coarser sand, interspersed with reddish rocks and more separated from passing bathers, creating an intimate environment while remaining within a public and freely accessible beach.

From the main parking lot, you must reach the shore and head north, gradually leaving the busiest part behind until you reach the towers; the route therefore requires a fair walk on the sand, but this very distance contributes to the secluded character of the naturist coves. Facilities remain concentrated near the main entrance, where there are bars and restaurants, restrooms, showers, drinking water, rentals, and lifeguards, whereas once you reach the naturist area you need to be essentially self-sufficient.

Porto Ferro thus combines two features that are not always easy to find together: a formally recognized naturist sector and a landscape that retains a decidedly wild footprint, dominated by coastal towers, dunes, and an often energetic sea. It is precisely this exposure, however, that suggests checking the wind and sea conditions before tackling the long stretch to the coves.