ArbataxSardinia · Italy

All About Arbatax

For many centuries, Arbatax on the island of Sardinia was a humble fishing village cut off from the rest of the Mediterranean by waters troubled by pirates. Today it is a small town with around 5,000 permanent residents in one of the island’s most naturally beautiful and unspoiled regions. As one of Sardinia’s top tourist destinations, what could be better than sailing directly from mainland Italy, absorbing all the atmosphere and history that comes with crossing the sea? With none of the stresses of boarding an aircraft, ferry tickets to Arbatax are easy to compare and book on Ferryscanner.

Furthermore, approaching by sea allows you to truly experience the extraordinary position of Arbatax. Situated roughly midway along Sardinia’s eastern coast, it sits on the Capo Bellavista peninsula, almost entirely surrounded by water. Its old town huddles around the port, with a new town drifting inland.
 

Routes and Ferries to Arbatax

Ferry tickets to Arbatax can be easily purchased for a number of different routes. Regular ferry services connect the town with Cagliari, the island’s provincial capital. Other services allow visitors to book ferry tickets to Civitavecchia, northwest of Rome. Another connects Arbatax with Genoa (Genova), putting it within reach of Milan and the border with France. This makes it very easy to visit Arbatax from elsewhere in Sardinia, from the Italian mainland, and Europe more generally.

Ferry crossings to Arbatax are largely operated by a single company, Tirrenia. One of the region’s best ferry companies, it runs modern ships between these routes. Those with ferry tickets to Arbatax can join the ferries as foot passengers, or with vehicles as large as campervans. Pets are also welcome on board Tirrenia vessels, which contain restaurants, comfortable seating, and private cabins for the longest voyages.

The journey between Arbatax and Genoa is the longest of its scheduled routes, lasting 15.5 hours. Most of it takes place overnight. The sailing from Civitavecchia should take no longer than nine hours. Both routes have an average of two sailings per week in either direction during the low season months of October to April. From May to September there is an average of one sailing per day.

The route from Arbatax to Cagliari at the southern end of Sardinia lasts around 4.5 hours. It has a similar number of sailings as the journeys to Genoa and Civitavecchia. If ferry tickets to Arbatax are already sold out, it’s also possible to reach the town via one of Sardinia’s other ports, such as Olbia or Porto Torres.

Arbatax is also connected to Cagliari and Lanusei by a narrow-gauge railway, although this is mainly used as a tourist line. There is a small airport approximately four kilometers from Arbatax, called Aeroporto Tortoli Arbatax, however it does not receive any regular flights, making the ferry the main means of traveling to and from the port town.
 

Port of Arbatax

The ferry port of Arbatax lies on the northern side of the Capo Bellavista peninsula. It is easily within walking distance of the town, although those with luggage may want to opt instead for the short taxi ride. The port of Arbatax stands within sight of one of the best beaches in the area. Additionally, it’s close by to many of the top things to do in the town. Fully modernized and well-equipped, you should arrive in plenty of time to pass through security checks. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of your ferry.
 

Best Beaches in Arbatax

Sardinia has no shortage of incredible coastline, and the east coast around Arbatax is no exception. Visitors can expect fine Mediterranean weather and very little rainfall from the beginning of April right through to the end of September – if not beyond. As a result, the beaches of Arbatax are a popular getaway for residents and visitors alike. These are the very best in the area.

Cala Moresca

One of the first beaches you’ll reach if you head south from Capo Bellavista, Cala Moresca is typical of the sorts of beaches you can expect across the eastern side of Sardinia. It forms around a small bay backed by low cliffs. Quiet and free of facilities, the beach itself is small. Consisting of a blend of sand and shingle, it slips gently into warm clear waters.

Riva di Ponente

Immediately north of the port of Arbatax is Riva di Ponente. Sat on a thin strip of land separated from the rest of Sardinia by a canal, it is a long stretch of sand facing back towards the Italian mainland. Unlike Cala Moresca, Riva di Ponente is dotted with restaurants and other facilities. Its size and ease of access make it popular with young families.

Lido di Orro and S’Orologiu Beach

Although these two beaches have different names, they are the same stretch of sand separated by the Rio Fodeddu creek. At 3.5 kilometers from Arbatax, these beaches are a little further afield, but anyone looking for expansive reaches of fine golden sand won’t resent the short journey here.
 

Places to Visit in Arbatax

For a relatively small town, Arbatax has a surprising number of attractions. Some are natural, while others hint at the long history of habitation and occupation on this side of Sardinia. Don’t miss these places to visit when you book ferry tickets to Arbatax.

Rosse Rocce

These red rocks protrude out of the shallows like broken teeth just a stone’s throw from the port of Arbatax. A stunning natural attraction, the red porphyry they are formed from makes for a dramatic contrast to the clear blue skies and should absolutely not be missed.

Torre di San Gemiliano

The name Arbatax is thought to come from Arabic, meaning ‘Fourteen Towers’. One of the surviving towers is the one at San Gemiliano, on another promontory of land immediately south of Arbatax. First built in the 1600s as a lookout tower against the pirate threat, the Torre di San Gemiliano now offers sublime panoramic views from the top of the four-hundred-year-old staircase.

Tacchi dell’Ogliastra Hills

Looking similar to the pale bare rocks of the more famous Dolomites in northeastern Italy, Tacchi dell’Ogliastra is a series of striking peaks whose summits make a spectacular destination for a walk or hike of any length. What’s more, the majority are crisscrossed with old walking trails, providing an excellent way of exploring the area’s natural environment.

Ruins of Nuraghe Serbissi

To understand just how long Arbatax has been inhabited, it’s best to head to the ruins of Nuraghe Serbissi. The youngest of these ruins date back to the tenth century BC, some 12,000 years from the present. Built over a natural cave, the central stone tower rises to a height of more than six meters.
 

Transportation Around Arbatax

The vast majority of residents in Arbatax use their cars for even the shortest of journeys. That said, it’s more than possible to explore the old and new towns on foot. Should you bring your own vehicle across to Arbatax on the ferry, there is a free car park on the road that leads around the port.

For visitors looking to travel further afield, there are a number of bus routes. As a tourist, it can be difficult to know exactly where to get on and off, and buses don’t run on Sundays or public holidays. The tourist information center can provide up-to-date timetables. A better alternative for those short on time would be a taxi.