Porto Torres

Porto Torres is a famous town in the province of Sassari and the largest port in northern Sardinia. On Ferryhopper, you will find useful information about must-see places, beaches, local delicacies and ferries to Porto Torres. Take a look at our travel tips, available ferry routes, and book your tickets with just a few clicks!

The famous tower of Abbacurrente overlooking the Gulf of Asinara

Vacation in Porto Torres

Porto Torres is one of the most popular destinations for travelers looking for heavenly beaches and relaxation. However, history and natural beauty coexist harmonically transforming the town into one of the most fascinating places on the island of Sardinia.

In addition to the sun, the sea and its lively nightclubs, Porto Torres will strike you with its cultural soul. The monuments of the historic center, the archaeological complexes and the museums will give you a completely carefree holiday pass.

Being a rather popular destination during the summer, the best time to visit Porto Torres is from April to June. The temperatures are mild, allowing you to move around the city with ease and comfort.

How to get to Porto Torres

There are daily connections between Porto Torres and the Italian peninsula. The fastest way to get to Porto Torres is by sea from the mainland is from the following ports: Genoa and Civitavecchia. 

Also, there are ferry connections from Spain, France and Corsica. For more information about schedules and tickets, you can take a look at the ferry routes to Porto Torres.

Alternatively, you can reach the Sardinian city by plane. The airport of Alghero is about 27km from Porto Torres, and thanks to the regional ARST buses, you can get to the city center in just 40 minutes.

There are also several domestic flights available from Northern, Central and Southern Italy, and from various European countries (including Germany, the UK, Poland and Portugal).

However, if you plan to travel by car, the major highway to Porto Torres is Strada Statale 131. Keep in mind that there are no motorways in Sardinia and driving can be challenging. So for a more comfortable trip, you can take a train or bus from Sassari, Cagliari and Olbia.

Part of the Statale 131 to Porto Torres

What to do in Porto Torres

If you are wondering what to do and what to see in Porto Torres, you should know that the city offers many natural attractions and points of historical and cultural interest.

Porto Torres is located in the heart of the Gulf of Asinara, home to the wonderful Asinara National Park, a remote island 16km long. Its stunning natural beauty includes a pristine coastline and off-shore islets inviting you to immerse yourself into crystal-clear waters.

After your deep dives in the mesmerizing beauty and a blast from the eventful past of Asinara National Park, head towards the city center. There, you will find some of the most finger licking Sardinian delicacies such as favata and monzette. 

Is that all? Nope! Between imposing basilicas, magnificent palaces and archaeological sites, a break to relax by the sea is the perfect getaway! Porto Torres is famous for having some of the most impressive landscapes and most mesmerizing beaches in the region.

Beaches in Porto Torres

Now, let’s talk about the most important part of your trip, the beaches of Porto Torres! The city is surrounded by numerous coasts. From free to equipped areas, there are many paradisiacal corners for every taste.

Here are the 10 best beaches in Porto Torres:

• Renaredda beach: the beach is located close to the city center and is one of the most popular beaches in the region of Porto Torres. It has fine, sugary sand and emerald green waters. Here you can find various bathing facilities, bars, restaurants and even a tobacco shop.
• Scoglio Lungo beach: it is popular for the impressive half-submerged rock. It has crystal-clear, shallow waters and is ideal for children. You will know that you are there as soon as you see the beautiful sculpture of a dolphin jumping out of the sea.
• Acque Dolci beach: the coast is named from the small water springs on its seabed. Waters at Acque Dolci are transparent and the beach has fine sand and bathing facilities. Also, it is friendly to people with disabilities.
• Balai beach: it’s surrounded by a beautiful urban park. It has golden sand and turquoise waters. Here you can find services such as umbrellas, sunbeds, a bar and free parking nearby.
• Platamona beach: it’s one of the most popular beaches in Sardinia. It’s 8km long and the changing colors of its waters are awe-inspiring. The sea is emerald green and the seabed is shallow, ideal for children. Also, it offers beach clubs and hotels, bars and shops in close distance
• Farrizza beach: it’s located about 1km from Balai. Farrizza beach is an enchanting cove that you can easily reach on foot through a short path. For some years now, the beach has officially been a pet-friendly beach with access allowed from June to September for our 4-legged friends.

The long beach of Platamona in Porto Torres

Sightseeing in Porto Torres

Porto Torres is a fascinating city with an immense artistic heritage and many natural beauties.

Among the most impressive attractions to discover in Porto Torres we recommend:

• The Basilica of San Gavino, the largest and oldest Romanesque church in Sardinia
• The Aragonese Tower, a limestone and trachyte tower, built opposite the port in 1325
• The Roman Bridge, linked to the mines and cornfields of Nurra
• The iconic churches of San Gavino a Mare and Santu Bainzu Ischabizzaddu
• The necropolis of Su Crucifissu Mannu, including more than 22 pre-Nuragic chamber tombs.
• The temple of Monte d'Accoddi, a unique monumental complex in Europe
• The National Archaeological Museum of the Antiquarium Turritano, with an interesting collection of findings from the Nuragic era
• The Chico Mendes Park, dominating the bay of Balai 
• The Barbarian King's Palace, an imposing building in the Turris Libisonis ruins complex
• The Maetzke Baths, dating back to the era of the Roman Empire

 The imposing Basilica of San Gavino

Nightlife in Porto Torres

Porto Torres is a very vivid city with several options for pleasant and fun evenings.

The city center is full of bars and clubs, mainly concentrated between Piazza Umberto I and Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The seafront and Piazza Garibaldi are among the favorite spots for aperitifs and dinners.

During the summer, the discos of Porto Torres stay open and dance to upbeat music until the early hours of the morning. The outdoor nightclubs located between Porto Torres and the village of Stintino are also very popular in the Sassari area.

Tip: when in Porto Torres, have a drink or two or three in the Tropical Lounge Bar and the Zona Franca nightclub.

Food in Porto Torres

The cuisine of Porto Torres is simple and tasty with strong flavors inspired by the sea. Seafood, pecorino and ricotta cheese, herbs and honey are some of the main ingredients composing an explosive symphony of flavors.

Here are some of the most delicious local delicacies to try during your stay in Porto Torres:

• octopus with potatoes
• favata (bean and pork stew)
• monzette (snails cooked with olive oil, bread crumbs, parsley and garlic)
• fish soup
• calamari in zimino (squid braised in chard or spinach)
• papassine (cookies with raisins, nuts and cinnamon)

Villages in Porto Torres

The area of Porto Torres boasts beautiful places surrounded by nature reserving many pleasant surprises. During your stay in Porto Torres we recommend that you visit the historic villages in the area:

• Sorso: it’s located 15km from Porto Torres. The village of Sorso is rich in archaeological findings dating back to the pre-Nuragic period. It overlooks the Gulf of Asinara with a long coastal stretch of sand dunes, sheltered by pines, junipers and dwarf palms. Therefore it is a great idea for a day trip if you are a sea lover thanks to its magnificent beaches. Don't leave the village without tasting the local delicacies!
• Stintino: it’s 29km from Porto Torres. Stintino is one of the most renowned holiday destinations in Sardinia. Despite the tourist boom, the place remains intact for lovers of tranquility and clear waters with the paradisiacal Pelosa beach very close to the village.

Day trip to the island of Asinara

From Porto Torres, you can set out to discover the wonderful island of Asinara, one of the most mesmerizing places in Sardinia. This unspoiled oasis became a National Park and Marine Protected Area in 2002.

Asinara took its name from the wild Asinara donkeys populating the island. Most of the population is wholly or partly albinistic and they are considered endangered species. 

You can easily reach the island by ferry. Delcomar ferries depart twice a day from the port of Porto Torres leaving from the Dogana-Segni quay and arriving at the Cala Reale pier in about 1 hour.

Once at your destination, you can decide to move around the island on foot, get on tourist trains or buses or take a jeep excursion. If you want to visit the National Park in complete freedom, there is also the possibility of renting cars or electric bikes. 

Tip: there are no grocery stores on the island so if you want to eat there you can sit in one of the restaurants. Alternatively, you can prepare a packed lunch for your trip in advance.

Asinara donkeys overlooking the sea 

Tips

Here are 3 tips that we hope will be useful to you during your stay in Porto Torres:

• If you are in Porto Torres during the week, do not miss the market on Thursdays. This is the largest open-air market where you can buy local products as well as clothing.
• For the excursion to the island of Asinara, it is good to have hiking shoes, a few bottles of water and of course, a sea mask behind!
• In Sardinia, during th summer, it may not always be very hot due to the mistral air. So, add a sweatshirt to your suitcase before you leave!

Useful information for Porto Torres

Porto Torres offers its visitors various things to do and see. Most restaurants and shops are located in the city’s heart. The hub of the city develops around Corso Vittorio Emanuele with cafes, bars, museums and many attractions at close distance.

Also, between the Basilica of San Gavino, Via Balai and Viale delle Vigne, you can find tiny picturesque shops and boutiques turning your shopping into treasure hunt.

In regards to your accommodation in Porto Torres, we recommend that you opt for the downtown area as it’s full of alternatives between hotels, pensions, guest houses and Bed & Breakfasts. However, finding something near the port is preferable if you intend to leave by ferry the following day. 

As for the parking lots in the city are all free of charge, including the parking areas of the maritime station, the tourist port, the Balai seafront and the beaches of Scoglio Lungo and Balai. However, keep in mind that in high season, the search for a parking space may take a few more minutes!

Important phone numbers for your stay in Porto Torres

Here are some numbers that could prove useful during your holiday in Porto Torres:

• Porto Torres Police Station: +390795008500
• Municipality of Porto Torres: +390795008000
• Emergency medical service: +39079510392
• Port Authority: +39079515151
• Tourist Information Office: +390795048008
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Porto Torres

In Porto Torres, you can easily get around on foot, by bus or by bike. Most of the streets are pedestrian, making it easy to explore the city quickly.

The bus network is very efficient with city buses that also reach some beaches. For example, the ATP buses connect the center of Porto Torres with many beautiful beaches.

However, a scooter or a car is the most comfortable way to explore the area around the city of Porto Torres. You can take your vehicle on the ferry or rent a vehicle when you reach the city. That way, you can discover the beautiful places of Sassari from top to bottom with ease and comfort.

Ports in Porto Torres

Porto Torres is the largest port in Sardinia. It is located near the city center, close to monuments of historical interest and near the most beautiful beaches.

The port area is divided into 2 areas: the commercial and the industrial port area. The maritime station is located near the commercial port with bars, ticket offices and various services.

Inside the port, there is also a free shuttle bus service offered for passengers. This service connects the center of Porto Torres, the ticket offices, the maritime station and the railway station with the docks.

The port area of Porto Torres

Porto Torres ferry: schedules and tickets

The port of Porto Torres is connected with the Italian cities of Rome (Civitavecchia), and Genoa, Spain (Barcelona), France (Nice and Toulon) and Corsica (Ajaccio and Porto Vecchio).

The companies that operate the routes are Grimaldi Lines, Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), Tirrenia, Corsica Ferries and La Méridionale offering up to 30 weekly crossings. Depending on the port of departure, the ride can last from 4 to 17 hours.

Since there are so many connections from the port of Porto Torres, here is some more information on the available ferry routes depending on the destination:

The ferry schedules from Italy to Porto Torres are:

• Genoa - Porto Torres ferry: there are up to 17 weekly crossings for the ferry route from Genoa to Porto Torres taking about 9 to 11 hr.
• Civitavecchia - Porto Torres ferry: the crossing from Civitavecchia to Porto Torres usually includes up to 4 weekly connections lasting around 7 hr.

Also, there are several ferry crossings from Spain, from the port of Barcelona to Porto Torres. It is one of the most popular ferry routes offering up to 4 connections per week. The journey takes approximately 12 hr.

The ports of Marseille and Toulon are about 413km from Porto Torres. Here you can find all the ferry schedules to Porto Torres from France:

• Nice - Porto Torres ferry: the route from Nice to Porto Torres is occasional and is mostly active in July and August. Ferries usually operate 1 or 2 times a week with crossings of around 10 hours.
• Toulon - Porto Torres ferry: the connection from the port of Toulon to Porto Torres is operated 2-4 times per week and the ferry takes around 9 hr to reach the Sardinian port.

Porto Torres is also connected with the island of Corsica, located in the Mediterranean Sea and situated 180km from the island of Sardinia.

Here you can find more information about all the ferry connections from Corsica to Porto Torres:

• Ajaccio - Porto Torres ferry: from the nearby west coast of Corsica you can reach Porto Torres thanks to the connections that depart from the town of Ajaccio. There is 1 weekly ferry route taking about 4 hr.
• Porto Vecchio - Porto Torres ferry: Porto Vecchio is one of the most famous cities of Corsica. From here you can reach the Sardinian port of Porto Torres once a week. The duration of the trip is 4 hr 30 min.

Take a look at our Map of ferries with all the connections to the port of Porto Torres and start planning your trip right away!

The historic center of Porto Torres

Where to book ferry tickets to Porto Torres online?

On Ferryhopper, you can find all connections to Porto Torres, compare prices and companies, departure times and book your ferry tickets online with ease. The Sardinian city invites you to dive into the waters of Asinara and explore between coves and breathtaking landscapes!