A few kilometers from Olbia and the small village of Murta Maria, we find the wonderful beach of Porto Istana.
Taking advantage of one of the last warm days of October, we visit this place to admire unique colors and views of the island of Tavolara, in a context of great tranquility.
One beach, four coves, a thousand colors!
The access to the beach towards the north is definitely suggestive: a short stretch of pedestrian path, surrounded by walls and trees, leads us towards the sea… It almost seems like a tunnel in the greenery that leads to an enchanted place!
Once we reach the beach, the first thing that surprises us are the colors. The fine white sand contrasts with the crystalline waters that fade into shades of blue and green.
In the distance we see the unmistakable outline of the island of Tavolara, with steep slopes covered with vegetation and clear vertical rock walls. After all, the views of the island are a common element in many other places in the area…
The fact that we are here in autumn allows us to observe and take photos in complete tranquility, enjoying a place that is not as crowded as in high season.
The beach is a long stretch of sand, actually divided into four coves interspersed with small groups of rocks; it occupies the entire bay that Porto Istana overlooks.
The seabed is shallow and the area is quite sheltered, an ideal place for a holiday even for less experienced swimmers and families with children.
Although there are tourist and hotel facilities, kiosks and restaurants in the area, the beach is surrounded by greenery. In one place we even find a small stream that comes from a pond…
Walk and views
We proceed like this, with a short walk, to admire the coves. The reddish rocks that divide the various stretches of sand are an ideal point to photograph the landscape from new perspectives.
Routes along the coast
Our walk ends with a visit to the southern coves.
As illustrated by the panels at the beach access, it is possible to continue along an itinerary that leads to Porto San Paolo. A nature trail of about two hours, also suitable for less experienced hikers, to admire the characteristic panoramas that this stretch of coast can offer.
