Stories and trails from the Sulcis

From the blog · Cammino di Santa Barbara

The Cammino di Santa Barbara stops right here

Stage 28bis (from Carloforte) and stage 29 (towards Bacu Abis) meet right in Portoscuso — here's why it's worth stopping here.

Pan di Zucchero seen from the Masua mining coast

From the blog · Mines of the Sulcis

The mines of the Sulcis, a UNESCO heritage close by

Nebida, Masua and Buggerru are half an hour from Portoscuso: a guide to the Sulcis-Iglesiente's UNESCO mining park.

The tunnel entrance at Porto Flavia, Masua

From the blog · Porto Flavia

Porto Flavia, the port carved into the rock

In 1924 a Venetian engineer carved a port into the mountain. It's open to visitors today: history, opening times and how to get there from Portoscuso.

The cliffs of Porto Flavia looking towards Pan di Zucchero

From the blog · High diving

When the world's best divers come to Porto Flavia

At Porto Flavia athletes dive from 27 metres, off the real cliff face. The 2026 edition was held on 11-12 July: here's how to see it live.

From the blog · Su Pranu tuna trap

The Portoscuso tuna trap, four hundred years of bluefin

Founded in the 16th century under authorisation from the Spanish Crown, the Su Pranu tuna trap still stands, a short walk from the villa.

The harbour of Carloforte, on the island of San Pietro

From the blog · Girotonno

The Girotonno of Carloforte, when tuna becomes a festival

Chefs from across the Mediterranean compete with bluefin tuna in Carloforte, one ferry ride from Portoscuso. The 2026 edition ran from 29 May to 2 June.

The Capo Altano military battery on the cliff

From the blog · Capo Altano

Capo Altano, between a bunker and a sheer cliff

Battery SR 310, built by the Italian Royal Navy in the 1930s, is today reached on foot or by bike along a scenic path north of Portoscuso.

La Caletta in Portoscuso, with the Scoglio della Ghinghetta

From the blog · La Caletta

La Ghinghetta, the hidden beach in the middle of town

A staircase in central Portoscuso leads to a small cove with an 1912 lighthouse on the rock facing it, about 500 metres from the villa.

The beach of Sa Punta de s'Aliga and the Boi Cerbus lagoon

From the blog · Sa Punta de s'Aliga

Sa Punta de s'Aliga, dunes, flamingos and kitesurfing

Over two kilometres of near-empty sand, the Boi Cerbus lagoon with its flamingos, and an uncrowded kitesurf spot: all within Portoscuso's own territory.

The church of Santa Maria d'Itria in Portoscuso

From the blog · Santa Maria d'Itria

Santa Maria d'Itria, between legend and a procession at sea

The legend of the shipwrecked painting, the Saracen raid, and the procession at sea that carries the Virgin towards Portopaglietto every year.

Sunset at Punta Trettu, the kitesurf spot near Portoscuso

From the blog · Kitesurfing at Punta Trettu

Punta Trettu, where kitesurfing goes international

Less than 5 km from Portoscuso, Punta Trettu is considered Sardinia's best kitesurf spot: flat water, shallow seabed and riders from all over the world.