In Ogliastra, on Sardinia’s untamed eastern coast, travel goes far beyond beaches and postcards. This is a region where ghost villages whisper of the past, cliffs plunge into turquoise coves, and mountain towns blend contemporary art with ancient legend. Nestled at its heart lies Arbatax Park Resort & Spa, recently crowned the World’s Best Eco Resort for the seventh consecutive year, and the perfect base for exploring Sardinia’s most authentic side.
Ogliastra beyond the postcards
Ogliastra is part of one of the world’s five Blue Zones, where longevity, slow living and strong community ties are woven into everyday life. Between the Gulf of Orosei’s sheer cliffs and the Supramonte mountains, each village reveals a different story: narrow alleys, painted façades, traditional bakeries and festivals that still follow the rhythm of the seasons.
This is a Sardinia of stories, scents and sounds – where time slows, and every encounter becomes a window into local culture and centuries-old traditions.
Gairo Vecchio and Tortolì: living heritage
- Gairo Vecchio, the “ghost village” of Ogliastra, was abandoned after devastating floods in 1951, leaving behind stone houses, deserted lanes and visible traces of family crests on crumbling façades. Walking here feels like stepping into a suspended moment in Sardinia’s past.
- In nearby Tortolì, life spills out onto café terraces, artisan workshops and local markets, with traditional foods like pane carasau and pecorino reflecting Ogliastra’s deep food and wine heritage just minutes from postcard‑perfect beaches.
Together they capture the contrast that defines the region: quiet, powerful memories inland, and vibrant coastal life by the sea.
Baunei, Ulassai and Sardinia’s wild landscapes
Perched above the Gulf of Orosei, Baunei is a paradise for hikers, climbers and sea lovers. Iconic coves such as Cala Goloritzé – a Natural Monument recognised for its 143‑metre limestone pinnacle and natural rock arch – sit alongside Cala Mariolu, Cala Luna and other hidden inlets accessible only by boat or rugged coastal trails.
Inland, the legendary Selvaggio Blu trek links Santa Maria Navarrese to Cala Sisine over more than 40 kilometres of wild, untamed coastline, while villages like Santa Maria Navarrese preserve the atmosphere of an old fishing community with simple trattorias and sea-facing piazzas.
Further north, Ulassai blends contemporary art and nature. Birthplace of artist Maria Lai, it has become an open‑air museum, with the Stazione dell’Arte gallery and works like Legarsi alla Montagna telling stories of identity and community against a backdrop of limestone “Tacchi” cliffs, caves such as Su Marmuri, and seasonal waterfalls like Lequarci.
Arbatax Park Resort & Spa: eco-luxury in a Blue Zone
Just minutes from these villages and coves, Arbatax Park Resort & Spa stretches across more than 60 hectares on the Capo Bellavista peninsula, within the Bellavista Nature Park – the world’s only resort set entirely inside a natural reserve. Guests wander Mediterranean scrub trails, meet free-roaming native animals and look out over some of Sardinia’s clearest waters, all while staying in a property repeatedly recognised as the Best Eco Resort in the World at the World Travel Awards.
Accommodation ranges from family-friendly cottages to sea‑view suites (including Telis, Dune, Borgo Cala Moresca, Monte Turri and Suites del Mare), complemented by the Bellavista Wellness & Spa Centre, a 2,000‑square‑metre sanctuary of pools, hydrotherapy circuits, steam baths and water‑based rituals inspired by the healing properties of the Mediterranean. Beaches and coves such as Le Palme, Arenas, Cala Moresca and Baia dei Cottage add effortless access to swimming, snorkelling and sun‑soaked relaxation.
Experiencing the truest Sardinia
Staying at Arbatax Park turns each day into a different chapter of authentic Sardinia:
- Sunrise hikes above the Gulf of Orosei, followed by swims in hidden coves.
- Wandering Gairo Vecchio’s abandoned lanes or Ulassai’s contemporary art trails.
- Evenings marked by village festivals, local wine, wood‑fired bread and recipes passed down through generations.
For travellers seeking eco‑conscious luxury, deep cultural immersion and extraordinary landscapes, Ogliastra and Arbatax Park Resort & Spa offer one of the most rewarding ways to experience Sardinia – not just as a destination, but as a living, breathing story that stays with you long after you return home.
