ABOUT AREA
Portocuso is a lovely marina town with an excellent selection of bars and restaurants to frequent. It is a very traditional Sardinian town of quaint houses, a charming square and a church. This important port, protected by a tower that rises on a hill, offers beautiful views spanning from Cala della Ghinghetta to Portopaleddu.
BEACHES
Portopaglietto
This fantastic city beach is popular due to its sheltered position from the two cliffs and is backed by a pine forest, providing a beautiful backdrop to your beach day.
Porto Paglia – Marina di Gonnesa
This area is suited to those of all tastes and provides an oasis of relaxation and tranquillity, with endless soft sand and a golden hue. There are four separate beaches here, each with its own access points, so plenty of space to explore, even in the height of summer.
FOOD FESTIVALS
In June, Sagra del Granchio (crab festival) is held as a major gastronomic event of Portocuso as well as Sagra del Tono (tuna festival) in August, both featuring delicious recipes and samples to enjoy.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
San Pietro
This island can be seen from Portocuso itself and is a brilliant day trip from the town. The short ferry crossing to the island is a pleasant way to enjoy being on the water. Once on the island, there is a small museum, plenty of beautiful beaches, inlets and coves to explore, as well a multitude of water sports to take part in.
Sant’Antioco
This area, just a 40-minute drive from Portocuso boasts two lovely fishing villages to explore. Home to pretty beaches, small restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere. The island can be reached by car, over the ‘tongue of land’ that connects it to the mainland.
Le Mattanze
For years Le Mattanze has brought life to the town between May and June, and is a traditional way to catch tuna in the area. Tonnara di Su Pranu is the hub for the activity, surrounding it are warehouses for the processing of the fish and the Church of Santa Maria d’Itria, in honour of the patron saint of ‘tonnarotti’ (tuna fisherman). Held 50 days after Easter, with sporting events, music and folk dancing, this is a great festival to attend if you are holidaying at this time of year.
Villa su Marchesu
This historic villa dates back to 1912, built on behalf of the Marquis Salvatore Pes di Villamarina. The pearl of Sulcis is surrounded by mineral deposits and vineyards, making it a beautiful place to visit. The large garden is home to exotic and centuries-old tropical plants ready to be admired. At the centre of the garden is a large aviary, and guests to the house during spring and summer will be amazed by the abundance of species that call it home for the warmer seasons. Since 1989 the villa has belonged to the Municipality of Portocuso, where it has been recently restored as a cultural and historical heritage of the city.
Nuraghe Seruci
This is one of the largest Nuragic complexes, a monument that documents the architecture and spiritual life of the Nuragic civilisation. The complex spans 6,000 acres in the Gonnesa territory and consists of a bulwark, extensive village huts and a Tomb of Giants.
Boat tours
There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a day on the water in the area, with the nearby small islands, islets and caves to explore there is endless exploring to do. Pan di Zucchero, a UNESCO heritage site, is a fantastic place to visit on a day trip.
