Porto TorresSardinia · Italy

All About Porto Torres

Visitors to Sardinia should not underestimate the allure of Porto Torres. Although it may not have the fame of Cagliari on the other side of the island, the city has a wonderful series of atmospheric attractions all the same. Not only does it lie on a flat coastal plain at the center of the stunning natural beauty of the Gulf of Asinara, but Porto Torres also has a history going back thousands of years. What’s more, it’s superbly easy to reach Porto Torres by sea, with ferry tickets to Porto Torres easy to find, compare and book using Ferryscanner.

The very first Roman settlement on Sardinia, Porto Torres is typical of cities on the island in that it has fallen under the control of a multitude of city-states, including Genoa and Aragon in Spain. It then became independent as the Kingdom of Sardinia, before uniting as part of Italy, meaning there is no shortage of attractions to explore while making use of ferry tickets to Porto Torres.

The second-largest port on Sardinia after Olbia, Porto Torres is located close to the region’s main city of Sassari, after which the province is named. Situated in the northwestern corner of Sardinia, it faces north towards Corsica and is an ideal base from which to discover all this majestic region has to offer.
 

Routes and Ferries to Porto Torres

Fortunately, there are quite a number of ferries connecting Porto Torres with mainland Europe. Those using Ferryscanner to choose ferry tickets to Porto Torres will find it linked to Italy, Spain, France, and French-ruled Corsica.

Ferry links between Porto Torres and Corsica offer the shortest sea routes to the city. Corsica Ferries operates regular routes from both Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica, and Porto Vecchio on its southeast coast. Both journeys have similar sailing times, with the ferry to and from Ajaccio taking four hours to reach Porto Torres, while to and from Porto Vecchio it lasts 4.5 hours.

There are generally two sailings per week in either direction from Ajaccio, with Porto Vecchio connected to Porto Torres once per week. This ferry company’s modern vessels are well-equipped with snack bars and plenty of seating, welcoming both foot passengers and those in motor vehicles. Prices for an adult start at €45.

Corsica Ferries also handles the 10.5-hour journey from Toulon, on the French Riviera, and Porto Torres. There are up to four different sailings each week to and from the French port, with prices starting at €60 and extending up to €135. Nighttime departures make use of ferries with private cabins containing full-size berths.

From mainland Italy, ferry tickets to Porto Torres can be booked for departures from both Genoa in northern Italy and Civitavecchia close to Rome. There are two ferry companies that complete the journey from Genoa. These are Tirrenia and Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), whose ships have a total scheduled sailing time of 9.5 hours. Between them, there are up to 18 sailings in either direction during the high season months (May – October).

The route to Civitavecchia is instead operated by Grimaldi Lines. It takes just seven hours to reach its destination, at a cost of between €24 and €40 for adult foot passengers. Ferry tickets to Porto Torres can also be easily booked on Ferryscanner for the link with Barcelona on Spain’s Mediterranean coastline. This journey generally lasts just over 12 hours, with up to four sailings per week run by Grimaldi Lines.

One further ferry link of note is the connection between Porto Torres and the protected offshore island of Asinara. It operates daily during the spring and summer months, and three times weekly during the autumn and winter. Local ferry company Delcomar is responsible for the route.

Additionally, there are two railway stations in Porto Torres, with Trenitalia connecting the city with Sassari, from where high-speed trains travel all the way to Cagliari. Porto Torres Maritima station is located close to the ferry port, while the main station (simply called Porto Torres) is slightly further south on the western edge of town.
 

Ports of Porto Torres

The impressive port facilities at Porto Torres are divided between a large industrial port structure on the western side of the city (beyond the main train station) and a smaller but much more attractive harbor where all the ferries to Porto Torres dock. They dock at specially-built sea walls. The ferry terminals are therefore not only close to the Porto Torres Maritima railway station, but also many of the city’s most important attractions, places to enjoy a meal, and accommodation options.
 

Best Beaches

Beyond the long list of potential historic sites in Porto Torres, the city has an excellent range of beaches from where it’s possible to enjoy Sardinia’s excellent Mediterranean climate. These are some of the best.

Platamona Beach

While Platamona Beach isn’t the closest area of sand to the streets of Porto Torres, there’s little point in doubting if it’s worth making the short journey by road. Stretching an incredible 15 kilometers east of the city, this apparently endless ribbon of coastline has an excellent blend of sun, sea, sand, and tourist facilities.

Scogliolungo Beach

Almost immediately beside the ferry port of Porto Torres, Scogliolungo Beach can be recognized by the dolphin statue that seems to be rising out of the waves. Free to access and surrounded by bars and parking spots, this beach is a great choice for anyone short of time or not keen on leaving the delights of the city center.

Balai Beach

On the opposite side of a small promontory from Scogliolungo Beach, Balai Beach (Spiaggia di Balai) is a popular destination for swimming in the Mediterranean’s warm waters. Relatively small, it is edged by attractive rocks.

Farrizza Beach

Perhaps the best option for those looking for a secluded beach escape, Farrizza Beach is accessed via a small path midway towards Platamona Beach. Its small size and secluded location mean you should bring everything you might need to enjoy a day here.
 

Places to Visit

Porto Torres has some impressive places to visit, and it would be a real shame to leave the city without having admired them for yourselves. These are the sights that are not to be missed.

Aragonese Tower

Overlooking the port, this defensive structure dates back centuries and is thought to have been built no later than 1325. The only tower of its kind anywhere on the island, it has an intriguing octagonal form and provides an excellent viewpoint for watching the comings and goings of the port below.

Asinara Island National Park

Guarded the western approach of Porto Torres’ Gulf of Asinara, the twisting form of Asinara Island is today entirely protected by national park status. Once a quarantine island and prisoner of war camp, its park status only began in the late 1990s. However, it has long been an important habitat for a number of native species, including the albino donkeys after which the island takes its name.

Antiquarium Turritano

This open-air archeological park allows visitors an insight into the Roman era port and is complete with a 2,000-year-old bridge straddling the local river, a bathhouse, and a villa decorated with delightful mosaics. Its onsite museum contains some of the more delicate objects discovered, including a wonderful collection of ceramics.
 

Transportation Around Porto Torres

The small size of central Porto Torres and its proximity to the ferry port ensures that many visitors to the city find little need for transportation. In addition to the train line running to Sassari, there is also a surprisingly good local bus network linking the smaller settlements. Operated on behalf of the municipality by ARST, tickets can be purchased from newsagent stands around the city. The Tourist Office can provide up-to-date schedules and departure points. Should you prefer, there are a small number of taxis available too.