Ogliastra · Provincia dell'Ogliastra

Things to do in Lotzorai

Things to do in Lotzorai, Sardinia: free beaches from Tancau to Isula Manna, Medusa castle, rock-cut tombs and boat trips to the Gulf of Orosei.

Lotzorai, Sardegna — © Mauromereu · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

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We are gathering the first experiences for this area. Check back soon, or tell us about an operator you know.

Lotzorai is a village of about 2,100 people on the Ogliastra coast in central-eastern Sardinia, a kilometre from the sea and a few minutes from Tortolì, Arbatax and Santa Maria Navarrese. Its shoreline of about 8 km is almost entirely free public beach, between pine woods, river mouths and small wetlands, with mountains behind. It suits families looking for space and calm, anyone wanting to take a boat to the coves of the Gulf of Orosei, and travellers who like to mix sea, hiking and archaeology.

What to see in Lotzorai

Medusa Castle

On the hill at the southern entrance to the village stand the ruins of the Castello di Medusa, a medieval fortress probably built in the 13th century by the rulers of the Judicate of Cagliari to watch over the plain and coast. Its name comes from a local legend about a cruel queen. The hilltop offers a fine view over the village and the sea.

Domus de janas

Along provincial road 56 lie the prehistoric necropolises of Tracucu, Fund'e Monti and Genna 'e Tramonti, with about twenty domus de janas, rock-cut tombs whose name means "fairy houses". In the nearby Su Padentinu woods there are more Nuragic and pre-Nuragic remains.

Churches

The 19th-century parish church of Sant'Elena overlooks a raised square in the centre. In the old cemetery the façade and some walls of the earlier Sant'Elena church survive. In the Donigala district, the church of Santa Barbara is recognisable by its stone walls and large elms; on a hill west of the village is the country church of San Tommaso, near a nuraghe (a Bronze Age stone tower).

Wetlands and the Pramaera river mouth

To the north, the Rio Pramaera forms a river park running down to the sea; to the south, the Rio Girasole feeds the Paùle (marsh) of Iscrixedda and the Pollu pond. They are peaceful places for a walk and for watching water birds.

Things to do in Lotzorai

Boat trips in the Gulf of Orosei: from Santa Maria Navarrese and Arbatax, tours head to Cala Goloritzé, Cala Mariolu, Cala Luna and other coves reachable only by sea.
Kayak and SUP along the coast and towards the Isola dell'Ogliastra.
Hiking in the Baunei mountains and on the Golgo plateau, with spectacular trails and views.
Rock climbing on the area's limestone crags, famous among climbers.
Cycling and walking in the pine woods and along the Pramaera river park.
Snorkelling and diving in the clear coastal waters.

Just below you will find the experiences offered by local operators: choose your day at sea or in the mountains and book directly.

Beaches in Lotzorai

About 7 km of free beaches follow one another from north to south:

Tancau: at the northern end, near Santa Maria Navarrese, sand and pebbles with views of the Baunei mountains and the Isola dell'Ogliastra.
Pollu: a quiet sandy stretch backed by pine woods.
Is Orrosas (Lido delle Rose): a wide, easy beach, good for families.
Iscrixedda: a long beach with the marsh of the same name behind it, loved by nature seekers.
Isula Manna: the southern end of the shoreline, towards Arbatax.

Offshore, about a mile from the coast, you can see the Isola dell'Ogliastra, a group of three uninhabited red porphyry islets home to cormorants and gulls; the largest holds a statue of the Virgin.

History

The area has been inhabited since prehistory, as the rock-cut tombs and nuraghi show. The name Lotzorai first appears in documents in 1117. In the Middle Ages the village belonged to the Judicate of Cagliari, one of Sardinia's four medieval kingdoms, then passed to Gallura and Pisa. In 1323 it was taken by the Aragonese, in 1363 it joined the County of Quirra and in 1603 the fief became a marquisate; feudal rule ended in 1839. Today the economy rests on farming, with vegetables, citrus, olives and vines, and on tourism.

Food and local products

The food is classic Ogliastra: culurgiones, ravioli of potato, cheese and mint sealed in an ear-of-wheat pattern, sheep's and goat's cheeses, roast suckling pig and fish from the coast. Lotzorai's farmland yields citrus, vegetables and olive oil. To drink, local wines such as Cannonau. To take home: extra virgin olive oil, honey, cheese and Ogliastra crafts such as textiles and baskets.

Festivals and traditions

San Tommaso: first Sunday of July, at the country church.
San Cristoforo: first Sunday of August, with the blessing of cars in the square.
Madonna d'Ogliastra: in August, a sea procession of small boats towards the island.
Santa Maria di Donigala: the Sunday after 15 August, at the church of Santa Barbara.
Sant'Elena, the patron saint: last Sunday of August.

Nearby

Santa Maria Navarrese (about 10 minutes): the small harbour, the little church and boats into the Gulf of Orosei.
Baunei and the Golgo plateau (about 30 minutes): the Su Sterru sinkhole and trails towards Cala Goloritzé.
Arbatax (about 10 minutes): the famous red rocks by the sea.
Tortolì (about 10 minutes): the area's main town, with shops and services.
Lanusei (about 30 minutes): the Selene woods and the Ogliastra mountains.

Getting there and when to go

Lotzorai lies on the SS125 Orientale Sarda road. Olbia and Cagliari airports are both about two hours' drive away. The port of Arbatax, about 5 km away, has ferry links to mainland Italy. The best time is May to October: in June and September the sea is warm, the beaches quiet and boat trips and hikes more pleasant.