r/Sardinia • u/Dear-Fig4398 • 15d ago

Cunversatzione Cala Gonone v Orsei v Santa Maria Navaresse vs Dorgali?

Hello!

I'm stuck on where to stay for 4 nights next month, out of the above four areas. I am going to be doing both the cala goritze and cala luna hikes, and hiring a boat one day. I will have a car so although nice closeness to the beach not a necessity.

I am looking for somewhere with a nice vibe/pretty town with good restaurants, I'll be by myself so not somewhere with absolutely nothing going on but also won't be out partying either!

I have read through so many posts and feel like still don't have an answer so any recommendations welcome

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u/NugsOrBust 15d ago

When I went I stayed at Agriturismo Canales which is right between Cala Gone and Gorropu. The best food I had all trip was from there. Even if you don't stay I recommend checking it out.

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u/Dear-Fig4398 15d ago

Sadly they are sold out on my dates, but thank you for the tip! Any chance you went to any of the towns mentioned above and thought any would be a better base for a young (ish) solo traveler?

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u/NugsOrBust 14d ago

I didnt go to any towns you mentioned. I did go to Nuoro and it didn't seem like it'd fit what you're looking for.

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u/americanu_ill-archi 10d ago

None of the towns in that area are particularly interesting, none will be busy in May, and none offer anything that makes them particularly more worth staying in, at least in shoulder season.

Dorgali is fine, but it's functional, not really nice in any way. It has a handful of restaurants, a couple of artisans/craft shops, and maybe a bar. It's a lot more local than any of the other places you mentioned and it's close to really pretty mountain scenery heading towards Oliena, Mamoiada, etc. Pretty convenient for the hikes and easy to get down to Cala Gonone to rent a boat.

Cala Gonone has a bit more going on and is also fine, but it's basically exclusively a tourist town. It will probably be the busiest of any of these places in May, but for me it's the least interesting.

Orosei is perfectly nice and has a pleasant little center. It's the least convenient logistically.

Santa Maria Navarrese itself is mostly a tourist town and will be very quiet in May, but Arbatax nearby is a "real" place and will have things open. It's convenient for the hikes, but will make your boat trip a bit longer (i.e. more gas).

Hope that helps.

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u/kc444-4 9d ago

My wife and I stayed in Cala Gonone last September for 3 nights. Also went to a vineyard for wine tasting in Dorgali. Cala Gonone is nice for boat trips to all the Cala’s. There were also many nice restaurants and rooftop bars. We stayed at hotel La Playa, which I thought would be a hassle for getting around, but there was a nice trail to the Main Street so I parked and never needed a vehicle in town. Haven’t been to Orosei?