DUNES OF PISCINAS, THE LITTLE SAHARA-LIKE DESERT IN SARDINIA
This wonderful oasis far from everything, with imposing and sinuous dunes of fine, warm golden sand that reach up to 60 metres in height, is shaped by the mistral winds and extends several kilometres from the hinterland until diving into the boundless and shimmering blue sea. Piscinas, a jewel of the Costa Verde - in the territory of Arbus - is like an oriental painting, presenting a breath-taking landscape and a must-see beach on your island holiday, considered by National Geographic as being amongst the most beautiful in the world. After walking along the unpaved and sandy trails, you will suddenly spy the immense and deep golden expanse, extending seven kilometres. The sea and sky merge along the blue horizon, whilst the shimmering sand dunes - declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO - blend with the colours of the Mediterranean scrub. The vegetation grows lush with centuries-old junipers bearing twisted branches, lentisks and olive trees that form small groves and, in spring, violets, sea lilies and sand poppies. Here, the Sardinian deer occasionally roams, whilst the sea turtles lay their eggs on the shore.
Its dimensions ensure a tranquil insulation at all times. Not surprisingly, a large stretch (around 800 metres) has officially been determined as the largest natural beach in Europe since 2018. The towns are located far away and there are few accommodation facilities aside from a campsite and a hotel close to the dunes. Along the sandy shore, you will find two panoramic kiosk-restaurants. You can also rent beach equipment, canoes, skates and dinghies. The parking area is also equipped for campers.
Reaching Piscinas via Guspini or Arbus means undertaking a journey back through the centuries, imbued with memories of mining activities, as witnessed by the Rio Piscinas that takes on a reddish colour as it flows by. The road from Ingurtosu leads to the sea, through the valley of is Animas. The village, now a ghost town and part of the geomineral park of Sardinia, was the hub of nearby mining activities for over a century, belonging to the Montevecchio complex. With its Wild West atmosphere, you will see the remnants of mining settlements, including the residence of the director and the managerial building, church and hospital, the ruins of housing and the construction sites with wells, installations and washeries. The road descends steeply between mountains of scrap materials, rusty trolleys and abandoned wagons from the railroad once used to transport the minerals to the docks on the beach.
