Arbatax

Arbatax is a marine hamlet of the municipality of Tortolì and is situated on the granite peninsula of Capo Bellavista, in the central-eastern coast of Sardinia. The name Arbatax, according to a widespread etymology, derives from Arabic arba at ashar dialect (Arba the á¹­ash), which means "14", and that could indicate the fourteenth tower sighting, like all those present in the Sardinian coasts (the area is in fact characterized by a "Spanish Tower" is still well preserved).

Thanks to its strategic position, Arbatax is the port of Ogliastra. An excellent tourist destination to spend holidays with family or friends, Arbatax has a commercial port, used by various naval carriers for the ferry docking which connect weekly the center of Sardinia with Genoa and Civitavecchia.

What to do in Arbatax?
Arbatax is a good starting point for discovering the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Orosei by following guided hikes along paths and mule tracks that reach enchanting beaches. The breathtaking views of Cala Mariolu, Cala Biriola, Cala Sisine and Cala Luna can be reached on foot and back on a boat.

The Rocce Rosse beach, which has always been a symbol of Arbatax, consists mainly of pebbles and rocks and can be easily reached from the town by following the signs for the Port.

Not far from the center, next to the port, there is the small but convenient Arbatax railway station, known to be the final stop on one of the most evocative sections of the Trenino Verde. This locomotive starts from Mandas, in the province of Cagliari, crosses mountains, woods, rivers, countryside and various small towns in Ogliastra and, having reached Arzana at 854 m s.l.m, slowly reaches the sea after traveling 159 km.

BY PLANE

• Cagliari airport
• Olbia-Costa Smeralda airport
• Alghero-Fertilia airport

BY SEA

• Port of Arbatax

The enogastronomic tradition is linked very much to the local folklore and especially to fishing, seen that in country abound fishermen.

Starting from the first dishes we must remember the culurgiones, of local ravioli stuffed with Sardinian cheeses and fresh potatoes and flavored with herbs. Always on the basis of potatoes you cannot taste the coccoi prena, a loaf very tasty and flavorsome.

fish c’è obviously the soup of fish, in addition to various Risotto with seafood caught in the seas neighbors. Passing to the dishes you will find both game, as sheep, porcetto and goat, cooked in various ways, that fish, as prawns grilled and expensive but delicious lobster. Also l’Ogliastra as Sardinia è then famous for its delicious cheeses among which stand out many variations of pecorino cheese.

finally sweets, with macaroons, pirichitti and pardulas king. Typical only of Tortolì è then the pan’ and saba based on dried fruit such as nuts and almonds.

• Tortolì weekly market: every friday, in the center.