Budoni: 5 tips on what to do and where to stay

Of all the places on the eastern coast of Sardinia, we recommend you to spend your holidays in Budoni, a tourist center located halfway between Gallura and Baronia. Less known than the most exclusive destinations of the Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro and the wonderful towns of Baronia and Ogliastra overlooking the Gulf of Orosei, Budoni is a destination to be discovered, where there is certainly no shortage of attractions and things to see.

If you are looking for a destination that offers the opportunity to easily explore a vast territory, ranging from the chic and sophisticated resorts of Arzachena to the adventurous Dorgali, passing through the modern and cosmopolitan Olbia, the medieval Posada and the traditional Siniscola, then Budoni is the right place!
Choose the village of southern Gallura as a starting point for your holidays and you will not regret it.

If at this point you are still wondering what to do in Budoni, here are some suggestions.
The center is less known than some glamorous destinations located a few kilometers away, and this undoubtedly has several advantages. First of all, the prices of the holiday homes tend to be cheaper. Furthermore, the beaches of Budoni are less crowded, especially in low season, than the more famous ones in northern Sardinia… but this does not mean that they are less beautiful!
It is up to you if you wish to spend a relaxing holiday, just chilling out and enjoying the beaches in the area, or a more glamorous one, experiencing the Sardinian night life and discovering what the vast surrounding area offers.

Our 5 tips on what to do in and around Budoni (if the pandemic allows it):

• 1. Sunbathe on the beach . See below our suggestions;


• 2. Take a historical-archaeological tour: visit the ruins of the nearby Nuraghe San Pietro, in the territory of Torpé, to discover the fascinating Nuragic civilization dating back to the Bronze Age. Also visit the picturesque old town of Posada, with the beautiful Castello della Fava. All this can be reached in a few minutes by car from Budoni and its surroundings;


• 3. Take part in the “Sa Festa Manna” in Budoni, (the big city fest). If you are in the area at the turn of August 29, the patron saint is celebrated in the village: St. John the Baptist. There will be 3 - 4 days of events, including concerts, procession of folk groups and various shows;


• 4. Go on a food and wine tour, to discover the delicacies that you can enjoy in the various restaurants, farmhouses and wineries of the area. In any culinary tour between Gallura and Baronia, the fish dishes and the "roast or spit roast suckling pig", prepared according to tradition, accompanied by local wines, such as the fresh Vermentino di Gallura and the full bodied Cannonau from Oliena, Dorgali or Mamoiada, cannot be missing;


• 5. Enjoy a night out, to be spent between the clubs and the evening shows in San Teodoro, Olbia, or in the Costa Smeralda. We recommend you to rely on a specialized agency to book a car rental service with driver, who can accompany you safely throughout the evening.

Among the beaches in Budoni, we would like to point out:

Porto Ainu, with the white sand and a shallow seabed bathed by turquoise waters with the typical transparency of the Sardinian sea. The beach is not equipped and there are no services, which is why it is not very crowded even in high season. There is paid parking nearby.

Porto Ottiolu, this is the name of a fraction of Budoni located on the sea. It has got a pretty and important tourist port and a beach that is a small natural pearl. The sand is white and the sea shines with shades between intense blue and cobalt blue. The beach is suitable for families with children, due to the shallow water and the fact that there are several services within walking distance, such as a restaurant, various bars and convenient parking. Furthermore, the beach is accessible to disabled people.

Baia Sant'Anna it is a free beach near Tanaunella, a further hamlet of Budoni, which is certainly worth a visit. The white beach is surrounded by a pine forest that purifies and perfumes the air and the sea is crystal clear and blue.
There are convenient parking lots near the coast.
Close to Sant'Anna beach there is a pond, where it is possible to observe beautiful pink flamingos. In the area between San Teodoro and Budoni there are several aquatic ecosystems, well known to birdwatchers.

Cala di Budoni, is how four kilometers of northeastern Sardinian coast are called. It extends between the points Li Cucutti and Porto Ainu. The sea in this area has an unbelievable transparency, while the beach of fine and clear sand slopes gently into a shallow seabed, suitable even for children's games.
There are several services, which allow you to comfortably enjoy the beach, which is also accessible to disabled people. In the vicinity there is also a large parking lot that allows you to easily reach the beach by car. In the area there are several refreshment points, bars and activities that rent beach equipment.

The stretch of coastline takes on different names along its route, including: Li Salineddi, Salamaghe, Lido del Sole, Sa Capannizza.
The area alternates ponds to sand dunes and pine forests, and constitutes a natural habitat with a great variety of fauna. The coast is surrounded by lush Mediterranean scrub, which perfumes the air with its scents and aromas and adds wonderful shades of green to the idyllic landscape.
The cove is also popular with lovers of water sports, such as windsurfing, diving and snorkeling.