About Santa Teresa di Gallura
Santa Teresa di Gallura is a small seaside village in the Gallura region on the north coast of Sardinia where tourists come to explore the natural attractions nearby and revel in the local nature of the town. Although quite busy during the high season, this is undoubtedly one of the more authentic and colorful villages in Sardinia and certainly a far cry from the rather lavish resorts elsewhere in Costa Smeralda. Situated just one hour from Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, Santa Teresa di Gallura is within reach of the attractions and yet somewhat secluded at the same time. Featuring a beautiful harbor and stunning seafront location, this is also quite a historic and lively town on the north coast of Sardinia. It’s true, Santa Teresa di Gallura is a famous tourist town with many cafés and chic bars with live music. The food experience is especially impressive, and as you might expect, most restaurants focus on seafood, pasta, pizza, and a lineup of local Sardinian dishes. On the other hand, you only need to look around to appreciate the beauty of Santa Teresa di Gallura. After all, this is also home to some of the best Blue Flag beaches on the island and the rugged shore of Bonifacio, where an ancient village was erected by King Vittorio back in 1808. With azure blue water and stunning ocean views, this is also where tourists can find the idyllic harbor in Porto Longone and the beautiful bay of Rene Bianca. The latter features a beautiful stretch of sand and the historic Longosardo Tower built by a former King of Spain. This entire region is littered with beaches, and Cala Balcaccia, Santa Reparata, and La Marmorata are all within easy reach of the town. Santa Teresa di Gallura is also quite a historic town and the creation of Savoy rulers in the early 1800s. Many remnants around town attest to this past, but the medieval churches and Nuragic ruins along the coast are far more interesting. The nearby granite headlands of Capo Testa, located just a few kilometers west of Santa Teresa Gallura, offer excellent opportunities for trekking, kitesurfing, and diving. Either way, Santa Teresa di Gallura is a famous tourist town for a good reason and one where an ancient past blends seamlessly with a modern, vibrant village where chic bars and cafes provide a welcome distraction from the nearby beaches.
Santa Teresa di Gallura Map
- ✔ Use the Google and Booking map below to explore the area.
- ✔ Fill in your holiday dates to get an accurate view of available accommodations near Santa Teresa di Gallura.
Where to Stay in Santa Teresa di Gallura - Our Top Picks
Hotel Corallaro
Hotel Corallaro is a 4-star accommodation that sits right next to the ocean on the island of Sardinia. It's just a short walk to the beautiful Rena Bianca beach, one of the most pristine stretches of sand in north Sardinia. Still, more beaches are nearby, including Rene Majore and Marmorata in Capo Testa. This hotel in Santa Teresa di Gallura is also situated at the heart of the historical town and within easy reach of famous landmarks such as the Longonsardo Tower and the Tomb of Giants. The hotel never fails to impress, featuring a bright interior, comfortable rooms, and a poolside bar. More specifically, online reviews attest to spacious rooms with beautiful furnishings and a charming shower. The on-site restaurant offers Mediterranean and international food and the occasional theme night, focusing on traditional Sardinian cuisine. With Wi-Fi, friendly staff, and breakfast every morning, this is a hotel in Santa Teresa Gallura that ticks all the other boxes. Indeed, with these favorable features and such an incredible location, you might consider this hotel the best accommodation in Santa Teresa Gallura.
Grindi Suite
Grindi Suite is a boutique hotel in Santa Teresa Gallura, located on the very north stretch of the Sardinian coast. You are situated next to Rena Beach and just a stones' throw from Piazza San Vittoria. Public parking is available, and each room comes with free Wi-Fi, comfortable beds, and a coffee maker. These rooms feature bright colors and have a certain elegance or modern touch. You can choose between three room categories, including a spacious family room. As far as places to stay in Santa Teresa Gallura go, the Grindi Suite is one of the best, near the center of the area. Il Mediterraneo is a hotel restaurant that offers a nice mix of Mediterranean flavors and cuisine focusing on seafood. You can also expect five-star service from friendly staff and easy access to a range of things to do in the local area. Suppose you want to get away and relax and spend time at the beach and good food in the evening. In that case, Grindi Suite is one of the best hotels in Santa Teresa Gallura that you should consider.
Colonna Grand Hotel Capo Testa
The Colonna Grand Hotel is one of the best-known accommodations in Santa Teresa Gallura and lives up to its five-star status. Located next to a stunning beach, this is the ideal location for a getaway and drinking in a daily sunrise or sunset. The Colonna Grand Hotel Capo Testa is also just one mile from the Piazza Villamarina. It has a variety of places to eat. With its idyllic location and friendly service, the Colonna Grand Hotel Capo Testa has a world-class reputation. It offers some of the most beautifully refurbished rooms that you will find anywhere in north Sardinia. These rooms feel elegant and tranquil, and each room comes with a spacious bathroom and a balcony with sea views. And then there are all the usual facilities that you might expect in a five-star room such as Wi-Fi, television, telephone and a minibar. The hotel exterior has a modern Mediterranean-style architecture that helps it blend in with the local surroundings. You can also expect delightful local cuisine at the hotel restaurant, which features a nightly a-la-carte menu and some of the best seafood in Sardinia. If not for the spectacular beach and sea views, this top-class hotel in Santa Teresa Gallura offers a luxury stay. You'll love the sublime food, friendly service, and a home-away-from-home experience.
La Coluccia Beach Club and Spa
La Coluccia Beach Club and Spa is situated in the stunning bay of Conca Verde near Santa Teresa Gallura. This secluded area with serene surroundings and ocean views highlights some of the best natural scenery in all of Sardinia. The complex itself is the true highlight for each room/villa is coveted in style and luxury. With this in mind, La Coluccia Beach Club is an excellent hideaway for couples who want a relaxing vacation in a most beautiful setting. This is also a boutique hotel in Sardinia and one of the first in the North East. The interior design is contemporary, to say the least, and equipped with modern furnishings and facilities. Each of the 43 rooms has a private bathroom, modern furnishings, a minibar, and cable television. The rooms also have a veranda or terrace with ocean views and more than enough space to relax and unwind. You also have full access to the Spa center, one of the best in Sardinia, and a stunning beach just 50 meters away with sunbeds, umbrellas, and beach towels for hotel guests. For food and drink, you can drop down to Caffè La Coluccia for coffee, and the Beach Club restaurant has an a-la-carte menu for meals and snacks until late evening. With private parking, complimentary breakfast, grand tours, and things to do, this is a boutique hotel that offers the perfect mix of activity and relaxation.
Things to Do in Santa Teresa di Gallura
Ferry from Santa Teresa Gallura to Bonifacio, Corsica
A popular activity when in Santa Teresa is taking the ferry from Santa Teresa Gallura to Bonifacio, Corsica. The boat trip takes less than an hour and is operated by several ferry companies. During high season, ferry services across the Strait of Bonifacio run up to 4 times a day. Ferry tickets usually cost around 50 Euros per person (without a vehicle). Ticket prices can be compared and purchased online in advance at Direct Ferries. Bonifacio is home to Corsica's only harbor on the south coast and is a popular destination during the summer season. It features many monuments including Torra di Sponsaglia, Torra di Saint' Amanza, Eglise Sainte-Majeure de Bonifacio and Eglise Saint-Dominique de Bonifacio. Other prehistoric sites to explore near Bonifacio are the tomb of Vasculacciu near Figari and the cave of Araguina-Sennola near the village of Capello.
Visit la Torre di Longonsardo
The 11 meters high Torre di Longonsardo, near Hotel Corallaro, is a sixteenth-century watchtower located on the northern promontory of Santa Teresa Gallura. It can easily be reached from the center of the village by walking or driving up the Via del Mare. From the top of the tower you can see the crystal clear waters of Rena Bianca beach, the limestone cliffs of southern Corsica (just 14 kilometers to the north) and the islands of La Maddalena. During the summer season, from April to October, the tower often hosts various photography and painting exhibitions. On the rooftop terrace of the Torre di Longonsardo, the Estate Degustando wine festival is organized every Sunday from June to September where you can taste the lovely wines and typical products of Sardinia, and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets.
Explore The Archaeological Site of Lu Brandali
At the Archaeological Site of Lu Brandali (Sito Archeologico Lu Brandali) you can visit the Tomb of the Giants (Tomba Dei Giganti) that was discovered in the early eighties, and an ancient nuragic village that was discovered in the 1960's. The site is managed and maintained by volunteers, and has not yet been fully excavated. It is located 1 kilometer south-west of the center of Santa Teresa Gallura. Guided tours are available.
Go Hiking in Capo Testa
One of the top things to do in Santa Teresa Gallura is to go hiking on the headlands of Capo Testa, a hiker's paradise peppered with smooth boulders, Mediterranean plants, and beautiful coves where azure waves crash into the rocks. Drive a few kilometers west of Santa Teresa Gallura, you can park your car near the Cala Spinosa Sea Lounge, and immediately hop on the trail. Do bring good shoes. As you wind your way along the rugged coast, you'll admire the fantastic views of Corsica, and The Strait of Bonifacio (Bocche di Bonifacio), which divides the Tyrrhenian Sea from the Mediterranean Sea. Head south and enter the Valley of the Moon (Valle della Luna), an impressive granite environment of eroded rocks shaped in otherworldly forms. Visiting Valle della Luna is highly recommended at sunset. Finish off the 2-hour hike by taking in the magnificent seascape views while enjoying a fresh seafood salad at Cala Spinosa Sea Lounge.
Music and Nature at the Santa Teresa Gallura Jazz Festival
The Santa Teresa Gallura Jazz Festival is held every year at the end of August. The International Jazz Festival named Musica sulle Bocche, directed by saxophonist Enzo Favata, usually lasts four days and has grown to be one of the most popular summer events in northern Sardinia. For ten years, the event has been host to some of the most representative international jazz artists from the United States and Europe. Musical performances are organized at some of Santa Teresa's most idyllic locations and landmarks including Santa Lucia square, the Buon Cammino Sanctuary, Cala Grande, Valle della Luna, Rena Bianca Beach, and the famous Capo Testa Lighthouse. If you're planning to visit Santa Teresa di Gallura in August, make sure you don't miss this beautiful combination of high-quality live music performances and the extraordinary landscapes of the Gallura region. For more information, visit the official Musica sulle Bocche website.
More Places to Visit Near Santa Teresa di Gallura
Isola Rossa
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Castelsardo
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Capo Testa
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Santa Teresa di Gallura Restaurants - Where to Eat
Ristorante da Thomas (Seafood)
🏠 22, Via Valle D'Aosta, Santa Teresa Gallura, Sardegna, 07028, Italy.📱 Telephone: +39 0789 755133
Santa Teresa Gallura is home to some of the best restaurants in Northern Sardinia and lovers of seafood will love this one - Ristorante da Thomas, a fine establishment that serves only the most delicate seafood dishes. With a clean, modern feel and an extensive menu to choose from, Ristorante da Thomas is well worth a visit. If you wish to dine in a restaurant that serves freshly prepared meals that are presented artistically, this is the place to be. With appetizers, first and second courses, and side dishes available, it’s probably for the best that guests arrive feeling hungry as the portion sizes are quite generous. The air conditioned restaurant will provide a welcome relief from the Sardinian sun, and the outdoor seating area will make your time here even more enjoyable. Visit the restaurant in the evening, and dine as the stunning blue/white lights add a touch of something special. Open since 1978, and run by the Mannoni family, Ristorante da Thomas serves a broad range of seafood dishes, and meals for those who prefer to enjoy other dishes, such as pasta dishes and soups. With a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, this excellent restaurant should be at the top of your ‘Places to eat’ list, as it just will not disappoint.
Il Grottino (Italian Food)
🏠 14, Via del Mare, Santa Teresa Gallura, Sardegna, 07028, Italy.📱 Telephone: +39 0789 754232
Serving Mediterranean dishes that are freshly cooked, and very tempting, Ill Grottino serves lunches and evening meals that will not disappoint. With traditional décor and a relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant offers you the chance to unwind after your busy day. With a wide and varied menu, diners can choose to enjoy pasta, meat dishes, sumptuous desserts, and an impressive wine menu. Prepared and served with love, the meals that you’ll enjoy at Il Grottino will delight your taste buds and make your visit even more special. Decorated in such a way that it leaves you feeling relaxed, and with tables set for couples and large groups, Il Grottino has that traditional Mediterranean feel for which you may be yearning. With a fixed price menu that offers four different dishes and a choice of drinks, if you’re having difficulty choosing from the wide variety of dishes on available, this may be your best option. Never known to disappoint, and with a semi-outdoor seating area, Il Grottino will serve to be a welcome break from the more modern-looking eateries, that may not be quite as charming as this one.
Ristorante Marlin (Seafood, Pizza)
🏠 24, Via XX Settembre, Santa Teresa Gallura, Sardegna, 07028, Italy.📱 Telephone: +39 334 871 4398
Ristorante Marlin is thought to be one of the best restaurants in Santa Teresa Gallura, thanks to its exquisite fish dishes, and stunning presentation. Serving pizzas that are cooked in a wood oven, and using fresh ingredients, guests are certain to enjoy the tasty dishes that Ristorante Marlin offers. Classically decorated without being over the top, the menu serves meals that originate in Sardinia, giving you that authentic dining experience. For those of you who love to sample local wines, you should make your way to Ristorante marlin as it offers wines that are traditionally made in the area. If you do not wish to dine, you can enjoy sitting at the bar that gives you a good selection of drinks to choose from. Alternatively, you may prefer to sit at the bar after you have eaten, as the portion sizes are by no means small. Open for breakfast, and serving food throughout the day, Ristorante Marlin is the ideal venue for a special occasion, or even if you simply want to dine in style. Featuring beautiful décor and an enticing menu, Ristorante Martin promises to tempt your taste buds while adding that little something extra to your time in Santa Teresa Gallura.
Santa Teresa di Gallura Nightlife
Club Estasi's
To experience some excellent Santa Teresa Gallura nightlife, leave the village and head south for about three kilometers to Estasi's, an open-air dance & nightclub located in the locality of La Ruda. At Club Estasi's, top club deejays spin the freshest chart hits and house music until the break of dawn. There are different atmospheres to please everyone: a piano bar in a limestone amphitheater, an outdoor bar with a garden, and a large dance room where younger people set the night on fire! Tickets usually cost around €30–40 and include a free drink. Club Estasi's is open most weekends from Easter through September, from 11.30 PM until 6 AM. The Free Jazz Café, the aforementioned piano bar set in a spectacular garden, offers a quieter night out with cocktails and a varied menu, including pizzas and fresh seafood plates.
How To Get To Santa Teresa di Gallura
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Flights from the UK
- The nearest airport to Santa Teresa Gallura is Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport.
- Direct flights from all London airports to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport usually take about 2.5 hours.
- Flights from London to Olbia are handled by airlines including British Airways, EasyJet, Meridiana.
Driving From Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport to Santa Teresa Gallura
To get to Santa Teresa Gallura from Olbia airport (Aeroporto di Olbia Costa Smeralda) by car, head north onto the Strada Statale 125 Orientale Sarda. For about 24 kilometers, keep following the Strada Statale 125 to the Strada Provinciale 14 in Arzachena. Follow the SP14, which will turn into Circonvallazione. Make a right turn onto the SP115, then continue again on the Strada Statale 125 Orientale Sarda. One you're near Palau, make a left turn on the roundabout and follow the SS133bis to Via Eleonora D'Arborea in Lungòne. Continue on the SS133bis and follow the signs for Santa Teresa di Gallura. The drive should take you a little bit more than one hour.
Beaches Near Santa Teresa di Gallura
Spiaggia Santa Reparata
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Spiaggia Rena Bianca
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Spiaggia Porto Quadro
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Spiaggia La Licciola
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Cala Balcaccia
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Cala Sambuco
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Spiaggia La Marmorata
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