Costa Verde and Montevecchio
map of the Costa Verde with the marked sights
Montevecchio
The drive to Costa Verde is an experience in itself.
If you’re coming from the north, I recommend taking the route via Montevecchio.
Just after the town of Guspini, you’ll ascend steeply into the mountainous Iglesiente region, where you’ll soon pass by the imposing mining facilities of Montevecchio. For over 100 years, lead and zinc were extracted here until the mine was closed down in the 1960s.
Now, there are plans to establish an industrial museum. Some of the historic buildings have already been restored, and various guided tours are available.
www.minieramontevecchio.it/visite-guidate/
If you’re arriving at Costa Verde from the south, the route via Ingurtosu is much shorter. This way, you won’t have to cross any rivers either.
Costa Verde – Marina di Arbus
From Montevecchio, the winding drive extends approximately 20 km through a completely solitary mountain landscape overgrown with dense Mediterranean vegetation.
Where the road meets the coast, you’ll find the tranquil resort town of Marina di Arbus.
Green slopes inland and dreamy sandy beaches framed by rocks create a fantastic panorama.
The Sand Dunes of Costa Verde
South of Marina di Arbus begins the most scenic section of Costa Verde.
Dunes reaching up to 40 meters high, made of the finest sand, replace the rocks of the hinterland.
Even in peak season, the beaches are nearly empty – perfect for those seeking a few solitary hours on a dreamy beach.
For several kilometers along the beach, there are no amenities such as bars or restaurants.
Continuing south from here becomes somewhat adventurous.
About 7 km past Marina di Arbus, the paved road ends and transitions into an unpaved “strada bianca.”
At least during the tourist season, this track is quite navigable even with a regular car.
On the way, you’ll need to cross two small rivers.
The fords are well marked, but depending on the season, it’s advisable to check the water depth before crossing.
After the second ford, the track splits. To the left, it heads inland towards Ingurtosu, and to the right, it leads to Spiaggia di Piscinas.
On the short stretch to this magnificent beach, the path winds between tall dunes.
It’s worth parking the vehicle here briefly and taking a closer look at the sand dunes of the “Sardinian Sahara.”
The hotel “Le Dune”
Following the track towards the sea will lead you to the solitary structure in the area – the hotel “Le Dune.”
During Sardinia’s mining boom, this site operated as a loading station for shipping ores extracted from Ingurtosu. Lovingly restored, the former station has been transformed into a charming hotel.
Camping and RV parking are restricted to designated campsites as the majority of Costa Verde falls within a protected natural area.
Remnants of the former function of the buildings are still evident in the remains of the pier jutting out into the sea.
Behind the hotel, you’ll also find a few mine carts and a section of railway track.
The Beach of Piscinas
Directly in front of the hotel stretches a wide, fantastic sandy beach.
Only a very small section is used by a beach umbrella and lounge chair rental service during the season.
If you walk just a few meters further, you’ll almost have the beach to yourself.
For me, this is the most beautiful beach in all of Sardinia.
The dunes extend for several kilometers further south.
If you want to escape the tourist crowds during peak season, then this is the place for you.
The tranquility quickly turns into solitude after just a few hundred meters.
Lying in the sand, with the sea shimmering in various shades of blue ahead and the captivating dune landscape behind, you’ll feel transported to another world.