Cagliari and South-East · Provincia del Sulcis Iglesiente

Things to do in Teulada

Things to do in Teulada, Sardinia: Tuerredda and Capo Malfatano beaches, Costa del Sud boat trips, coastal towers, Sant'Isidoro, festivals and tips.

Teulada, Sardegna — © gian luca bucci · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

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Teulada is a village in the Sulcis area, in Sardinia's deep south, wedged between scrub-covered mountains and one of the island's most beautiful coastlines. Its territory includes Tuerredda, often named among Sardinia's finest beaches, the coves of Capo Malfatano and Capo Teulada, the island's southernmost point. The village itself is quiet and authentic, with old churches, deep devotion to Saint Isidore and a tradition of embroidery and rugs. It's ideal if you love crystal-clear water, boat trips and a less crowded Sardinia.

What to see in Teulada

The village and its churches

In the centre, look for the 17th-century parish church of the Beata Vergine del Carmelo (Our Lady of Mount Carmel), with its neoclassical façade, and the small church of San Francesco from the early 1700s. The 17th-century Sanjust baronial house, home of the village's former feudal lords, now hosts exhibitions. Around the squares you'll find stone sculptures left by artists from an international symposium held here for several years.

The sanctuary of Sant'Isidoro

On the Tuerra plain, where the medieval village once stood, the 17th-century country church of Sant'Isidoro stands beside a square watchtower. It's the place locals hold most dear.

Coastal towers and archaeology

The coast is dotted with towers built against pirates: the Budello tower (1601) above Porto Budello, the only one partly open to visitors, plus the towers of Malfatano, Piscinnì and Cala Piombo. The area also has about twenty nuraghi (Bronze Age stone towers), including Sa Perdaia, and domus de janas (rock-cut tombs); Phoenician-Punic and Roman remains have been found on Tuerredda's islet and at Malfatano.

Things to do in Teulada

The sea is the star. The most popular experiences are boat trips along the Costa del Sud, past towers, islets and coves you can only reach by water; snorkelling and diving in transparent water; and kayaking and SUP in the sheltered bays of Malfatano. Pleasure boats leave from the port of Teulada, and in summer you can reach Cala Zafferano by sea, inside the Capo Teulada military area. On land, the scenic Costa del Sud road is superb by bike or motorbike, and the hills inland have trails through Mediterranean scrub and woods. Below this guide you'll find boat trips and other experiences from Teulada's local operators: book the one you like.

Beaches of Teulada

Tuerredda

Very fine white sand, water shading from turquoise to emerald and an islet close to shore that you can reach by swimming or kayak. It's sheltered from the most common winds and suits everyone, families included, but it gets crowded in August: arrive early.

Capo Malfatano

A deep inlet watched over by a Spanish tower, with small sheltered coves and a lagoon behind. The Phoenicians already used it as a landing place. Calm, shallow water makes it perfect for children and kayakers.

Porto Tramatzu and others

Porto Tramatzu has white sand, green and turquoise water and shallows all the way to the islet opposite. Other beaches include Campionna and s'Ottixeddu, the latter with limited access in summer. Nearby Piscinnì, loved by divers, is actually an enclave of the Domus de Maria municipality.

History

With around seventy nuraghi and several rock-cut tombs, the area has been inhabited for millennia. Phoenicians and Punics founded coastal landing places such as Malfatano. In Roman times the name Tegula (tile) recalled local brick-making, and a kiln has been found at Tuerredda. In the Middle Ages the village, on the Tuerra plain, belonged to the Giudicato (medieval Sardinian kingdom) of Cagliari, then to Pisa and, from the 14th century, to the Aragonese. Pirate raids and plague emptied it: it was refounded on its current site in the 17th century and became a barony, later held by the Sanjust family, until feudalism ended in 1839. In the 20th century many locals worked in the Sulcis mines; since the 1950s a large area of Capo Teulada has been a military firing range, still a debated issue.

What to eat and buy

Food here blends land and sea: fresh fish, bread, sheep's and goat's cheeses from the hills, almond sweets and honey. Among crafts, look for the embroidery of traditional costumes and rugs, plus ceramics, leather and cork goods.

Festivals and traditions

Sant'Isidoro, patron of farmers, in May and August: his statue travels on an ox-drawn cart, followed by costumed groups from all over Sardinia.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Su Cramu), the patron, in mid-July, with a fishermen's festival and a procession at sea.
Holy Week (Cida Santa), with Su scravamentu (the Deposition) on Good Friday and S'incontru, the meeting of the risen Christ and the Virgin, on Easter Sunday.
In August, the folk-instrument festival Su Sonatori and a bread and cheese fair.

Nearby

Chia (Domus de Maria), about 20 minutes away, with its dunes and tower.
Porto Pino (Sant'Anna Arresi), with the white dunes of is Arenas Biancas.
Sant'Antioco, an island linked by a bridge, about 50 minutes away.
Pula and Nora, with its Phoenician-Roman ancient city, about 45 minutes away.

Getting there and when to go

The nearest airport is Cagliari-Elmas, about an hour and a quarter by car; Cagliari port is a similar distance. From Cagliari, follow the road to Pula and Chia and then the scenic Costa del Sud road, or take the SS195. June and September are the best months: warm sea and emptier beaches. July and August are lovely but busy; spring is perfect for hiking and Holy Week.