Last updated on August 4th, 2024 at 07:58 am
A remote Mediterranean island, an ex-high-security prison, beaches with the bluest water you’ve ever seen, and lots of donkeys—if that doesn’t sum up how unique Asinara National Park in Sardinia is, I don’t know what else could. Visiting Asinara Island is one of the best experiences in Sardinia—and here’s how to do it right!
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Where is Asinara National Park & Why Visit?
The Parco Nazionale dell’Asinara is an island at the tip of northwest Sardinia. So, why travel to such a remote place?
1. Natural, untouched beauty
What makes Asinara unlike any other part of Sardinia is that it is truly wild and natural. There are no restaurants, no shopping (besides a tiny pharmacy), and there are not a lot of tourists either if you go at the right time of the year – early summer.
2. Close encounters with wildlife – including albino donkeys
Asinara National Park is a marine protected area, so you’ll see so many different kinds of wildlife on and around the island.
The most famous animal is arguably the albino donkey, native to the Asinara. It is believed that they’ve been around on the island since the 1800s. They are smaller in size than normal donkeys (which you’ll also see plenty of on the island.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll also catch the mouflon. The mouflon are wild sheep with big, curved horns. However, they are rarer to see, as they live high up in the mountains of the island.
Wild horses, exotic birds and sea turtles are also famous residents of the island.
Good to know: These animals are wild. You shouldn’t try to touch them or disturb them, even if some (like the donkeys) are more used to humans being around.
3. An Exclusive, Hidden Gem Adventure
Because Asinara is such a remote place, not many people know about it. Once you’re actually on the island, it’s so remote and vast that you feel like you have the whole place to yourself. This makes it such a special, one-of-a-kind adventure compared to the more crowded places in Sardinia and Italy in general.
How to Visit the Asinara National Park
There are several ways to plan your visit to Asinara National Park for your Sardinia itinerary. I’ll share them all with you so you can make the best-informed decision for your travel party, but I’ll also share with you which option (I think) makes for the best, unparalleled experience.
Arriving to Asinara Island
Unless you have a boat transfer included in a booked excursion, you’ll have to arrive at the island by ferry. There are two different ports where you can set off from.
Stintino Ferry
If you prefer a shorter ferry ride, you should leave from Stintino. There is not just one ferry company that operates but rather several small companies that do the transfers throughout the day. Alcor, for example, leaves from Stintino at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m.
You’ll arrive in the south of the island at Fornelli, where there is a small bar and visitor center.
There is paid parking on the streets of Stintino where you can leave your car.
Pro Tip: People also go from Stintino to Fornelli by canoe since the stretch of water to cross is not that long. If you’re already planning on doing a water activity like this, maybe this option is for you.
Porto Torres Ferry – best option
This ferry is longer than the Stintino ferry, but I think this is the best option because it leaves the island at the latest, meaning you have as much time as possible to enjoy and explore.
You’ll travel with a Delcomar ferry from Porto Torres to Asinara. Take the 8:30 a.m. ferry from Porto Torres and then the 6 p.m. ferry from Asinara to return. The ferry ride is just over an hour.
You will arrive in Cala Reale, which is the town at about the middle point of the island.
You should arrive about a half hour before the ferry departs. There is free parking at the port. You can’t take a personal vehicle on the Asinara Island.
Getting Around Asinara Island
Option 1: Golf Cart – the best option
I’m starting with the best option first because no gatekeeping! This is the option I did when I visited and, looking at the others, I can tell you it was the best option for me, and I think it can be for you too.
The best way to get around Asinara National Park is by golf cart. You can book a golf cart online and have it waiting for you at the port when you arrive on the island. Then, you’re completely free to roam the island until your ferry is back!
I loved the golf cart for many reasons. Firstly, it was private. It felt like we had the whole island to ourselves as we toured the island in our golf cart.
Secondly, it was comfortable. We had ample space to leave our backpacks; we had shade as we drove around the island to protect us from the heat, and we could easily park it and get out wherever we wanted.
Although it was more expensive than some of these other options, it truly made a difference in how amazing the day was.
Option 2: E-Bike or Mountain Bike
This is probably my least favorite option because it requires the most physical exertion (besides walking) and leaves you completely open to the elements—aka that beating Sardinia sun.
The sun can be harsh, especially in summer, and biking provides no shade whatsoever. (Keep in mind that there is no shade in general on the island.)
If you love biking and can stand biking for 6+ hours, then this can be an epic way to see the island. However, it is more physically demanding, so it may not be as enjoyable as one of the other more relaxed transport options.
You can book an e-bike or mountain bike for the Asinara from Porto Torres.
Option 3: 4×4 tour
As we explored, I saw multiple off-road excursions go by, and I think this transport option is the second-best. It’s more comfortable than a mountain bike and is usually less expensive or around the same price as a golf cart.
You book an offroad experience on the Asinara in a 4×4 online.
Option 4: Train
There may be an option I like even less than the mountain bike, the Trenino Verde Asinara. However, this train can be a great option for those who want something more organized and not as DIY, don’t want anything physically demanding, or are traveling in large groups.
When I say train, I don’t mean a regular train; this train is like a tram you’d see at a theme park. You travel in a big group along the island and make various stops. It is less flexible but more organized and overall friendly for different age groups and travel parties.
Option 5: Organized tour
If you’re like, “I don’t want to bother with DIY-ing my visit” and would rather book something all-encompassing, you can book a full-day excursion through a tour operator.
In this case, someone else handles all the transport for you, but you likely won’t see as much of the island as you could explore on your own. Options include a catamaran excursion or sailing boat tour.
Where to Go and What to See on Asinara Island
One thing is for sure on Asinara Island – you’ll see these guys everywhere, no matter where you go!
Cala Reale
Cala Reale is one of the three main “towns” on the island, even though it looks all but abandoned. There are some nice walking paths between the port and the Sea Turtle Rescue Center.
Sea Turtle Rescue Center
The Sea Turtle Rescue Center is a sweet attraction where you can learn from the marine biologists who help to rehabilitate injured sea turtles found around the Asinara. A ticket costs €3. It’s really just a donation because the museum part is a very small floor and a look at the sea turtles only takes a couple of minutes, but it is still a nice activity to do and worth it to add to your Asinara experience.
The Island’s Only Pharmacy
The only real business I saw open on the island was the “Farmasinara,” the island’s only pharmacy. You’ll find products here made with the local vegetation and from the local residents – aka donkey milk soap.
There aren’t many other options for souvenirs, so this is a great place to take a piece of the Asinara home with you.
Cala d’Oliva & the Centro Diramazione
The main “town” (I say town in quotation marks because there is actually very little activity here) is Cala d’Oliva. As you wind your way along the coastline, you’ll find beautiful pockets of turquoise water – it’s hard not to stop at each one!
There is only one restaurant and hotel on the island, and it’s in Cala d’Oliva—La Locanda del Parco.
The other main attraction is perched above the town. Below, you’ll see a photo of the ex-Diramazione Centrale, one of the main prison buildings. The Asinara used to be a high-security prison, a fascinating part of its history.
This building is now an observatory and mini-museum showcasing this part of the island’s history through old artifacts, like the eating utensils used by the prisoners.
Cala Sabina
Asinara National Park is home to some of the best beaches in North Sardinia.
However, not all of them are reachable. A couple of the most beautiful, including Cala Sant’Andrea (which literally took my breath away when I saw it), are in protected zones of the island, meaning you can’t enter that area of land.
The best one we found that was reachable is Cala Sabina. This is a remote cove on the northeast end of the island, on the way to the “faro” or lighthouse.
While making your way through the town of Cala d’Oliva and up to the ex-Diramazione Centrale, there will be a small sign for a path (keep a lookout for it along the road because it is not that obvious) that says Sentiero del Faro. Walk along this path for about 15-20 minutes to reach the cove. (If you want to hike, check out other trails here.)
The cove is super remote, meaning perfect crystal-clear water and tons of fish super close to the shore for amazing snorkeling!
We visited around 4 p.m., so it was near the end of the day for many Asinara excursions, and at one point, we literally had the beach to ourselves—an amazingly special experience.
The Ex-High-Security Prison
Another of the main prison buildings is near Fornelli. Again, what really stood out to me about why this experience was so cool is how completely untouched everything is.
The building is completely abandoned, the security outposts are still standing with broken glass and there’s absolutely no sign of trying to cover anything up or refurbish anything. It is literally like looking at the real history right in front of your eyes.
What kind of prisoners were held here? A lot of them were powerful men of the mafia.
Near Fornelli & Stintino
At the very southern point of the island is a peaceful area where there are almost no people during the day.
Here in Fornelli, there is a small cafe and some picnic benches where you can have lunch. There is also a small visitor center and bathrooms.
If you have time, you should definitely walk along the path towards Stintino from the visitor center. Not only is the water beautiful, but you also get to see other aspects of nature on this stretch of the island, like many tropical birds.
Austro-Hungarian Churches
Multiple small chapels on the island relate to another interesting part of its history. During the First World War, the island was used as a prison camp for around 24,000 Austro-Hungarian soldiers.
Tips for Visiting Asinara National Park
- Bring your own lunch. There are not many food options on the island, so it is best to pack your own lunch and snacks.
- Wear a hat/bring SPF. Shade is almost non-existent on the island because the vegetation is all so low to the ground. There are not many tall trees at all, and the roads are exposed to sunshine 24/7. Make sure you wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Bring a towel. If you’re going to take a dip in the water (which you should), make sure to bring a towel. These microfiber towels were perfect because they don’t trap sand, they dry quickly, and they are thin, so they don’t take up too much space. Also, don’t forget your snorkeling gear.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Consider bringing an extra pair of clothes in case you swim and want to change into something more dry and comfortable. The island is almost completely natural besides the one main road, meaning you may be walking on uneven trails and dirt paths, so you should wear sneakers.
- Be mindful of not entering the protected zones. If you’re exploring on your own, you should receive a map (or look at it at the visitor center) so that you know which areas are off-limits. There will also be signs in these areas indicating the zone, so you know that you can’t walk around here.
The SGTD Take
I look back on my day on Asinara Island, and it is difficult to think of any other travel experience that compares. This offbeat, intimate adventure stands out for its untouched nature.
The island is so beautifully preserved despite welcoming people to enjoy it every day. It is still so untouched and undiscovered that it hasn’t been spoiled at all.
When I say hidden gem, I don’t mean it as a buzzword when it comes to Asinara Island. Asinara National Park absolutely belongs on your Sardinia (even your Italy) bucket list.
What are you still wondering about the Asinara National Park? Ask me in the comments!
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I hope you have an unforgettable trip to the Asinara National Park after following this guide!
Safe travels,
Michela
Michela is a travel writer and photographer living in northern Italy. She is passionate about helping people make the most of their travels by sharing advice gained from her personal experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations and memorable itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!
