Camping in Oristano

The versatility of the province of Oristano on the west coast of Sardinia is impressive in terms of landscape and cultural history. Bright blue water, either on white sandy beaches, pebble beaches or rugged cliffs, offers a variety of bathing opportunities and makes Oristano the ideal destination for camping by the sea. Lakes, archaeological sites and wooded mountains are further attractions in the province and can be explored while camping with a motorhome or caravan.

Special features of camping in Oristano

The vast majority of campsites in Oristano are located on the extensive coastline - which is obvious due to the natural beauty of the beaches and the fact that the weather is suitable for swimming for large parts of the year. There are a few campsites inland, mainly located in small wooded areas and hilly landscapes. The Gulf of Oristano is popular for its endless long and shallow sandy beaches, which are spread over a good 40 kilometres in total. Along the coast there are stretches with good infrastructure such as sunbeds, parasols, restaurants and water sports facilities as well as deserted and wooded beaches. There are various sights to discover, such as the Tharros archaeological site or the old Grande Tower.

Journey

Travellers from Hamburg in the far north first cover around 800 km to southern Germany. From here, there are two options for crossing the Alps. Option A leads through Switzerland past Chur, Bellinzona and Lugano. In Italy, the route continues via Milan, Parma, La Spezia, Pisa and on to Livorno. The total distance is around 1,900 km. Those who opt for option B travel from Munich via Innsbruck in Austria and the Brenner Pass to South Tyrol. Bolzano, Trento, Verona, Modena, Bologna and Florence are passed in Italy on the way to the ferry harbour. Campers cover a distance of around 1,200 kilometres on this route.

It is important to consider which option is more suitable: travelling via Austria requires a daily vignette twice instead of an annual vignette, which is almost twice as expensive as the one required in Switzerland. The route via Switzerland is a good 30 km shorter and the annual vignette is valid all year round. In Livorno, the car ferry sets sail for Olbia in north-west Sardinia. The remaining 182 km to the provincial capital of Oristano is on the 131 and 292 overland roads. Tolls are compulsory on most motorways in Italy.

Destinations in Oristano

The provincial capital of Oristano and the unspoilt Spiaggia di Is Arenas are among the most popular destinations for campers in the region.

Stroll through historic Oristano

Oristano was known to the Byzantines as Aristanis and was founded near the Phoenician settlement of Othoca. Over the centuries, churches, fortresses, piazzas and towers were built that still reflect the historical splendour of the old town and delight locals and visitors alike, including impressive buildings such as the St. Christopher's Tower in Piazza Roma, built in 1290, and the even older Oristano Cathedral. Many other sacred buildings and fortifications provide interesting insights into the turbulent history of the city. Piazza Roma and the surrounding alleyways are home to many restaurants, cafés and bars and offer opportunities for a typical local snack.

Relax on the beach at Is Arenas

A trip to the almost deserted Spiaggia di Is Arenas in the natural paradise of Pineta di Is Arenas is also worthwhile. The campsites south of the village of Torre del Pozzo take advantage of the azure blue sea, the large pine grove along the beach and the proximity to the Campo da Golf di Is Arenas golf course. The unspoilt beach has golden sand, which in some places appears almost white. Due to the strong winds, this section is also popular with surfers.

Activities and excursions

Thanks to the wild nature and the long history of Sardinian civilisation, exciting discoveries and sporting activities are on offer.

Bird watching on the beach

Sardinia's fascinating birdlife attracts thousands of ornithologists and nature-loving holidaymakers every year. The coast of Oristano is a particularly recommended region, where beautiful pink flamingos live and poke around in the water in search of crabs. Ospreys, marsh harriers, grey parrots, purple herons and cattle egrets are also among the resident birds and can be explored on your own or in a group with an expert.

Explore the archaeological site of Tharros

The ancient archaeological site of Tharros is located on the Sinis Peninsula on the west coast. Scientists believe that the settlement was founded before the Phoenicians in the Bronze Age and was subsequently inhabited by Phoenicians, Punic and Romans. Columns, bathing facilities, streets, the necropolis and the remains of houses can be seen in this open-air museum. Many of the artefacts found in Tharros are now housed in the National Archaeological Museum in the Sardinian capital of Cagliari. Near the sites there is a restaurant, small beaches, a hiking trail and the ancient tower Spagnola di San Giovanni di Sinis.

Gastronomy

Sardinian cuisine is characterised by pasta, all kinds of cheese and fresh fish and seafood from the Tyrrhenian Sea. This has given rise to traditional dishes such as fregula - semolina pasta shaped into small balls - or spaghetti with seafood, with mussels, sea urchins and fish eggs being very popular. Crispy, golden flatbreads, optionally flavoured with aromatic rosemary or other herbs, are also typically Sardinian. Wild broccoli, also known as Italian asparagus in parts of Sardinia, grows wild in nature, as the name suggests, and is a seasonal delicacy. The specialities are accompanied by red wines such as Josto Miglior D.O.C. or Carignano, which enjoy an excellent reputation among sommeliers.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the province of Oristano depends on your personal preferences and planned activities. During the mild months from March to May and from September to October, the conditions are ideal for exploring the inland on foot, by bike or on horseback. At this time of year, temperatures range between 17 and 26 degrees Celsius outside of the main season. During the bathing season from mid-June to mid-September, holidaymakers enjoy daytime temperatures of between 27 and 31 degrees Celsius, with the water warming up to 25 degrees Celsius. The Mistral and Sirocco winds as well as occasional thermal winds provide excellent conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing in the coastal region of Oristano, especially during June and September.