MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
AND ENERGY SECURITY

Asinara Park

How to arrive

Asinara Island, after 112 years of being closed to the public mainly due to the presence of the prison, had over 85,000 visitors in its first years of tourism.

The Park, in compliance with environmental protection and preservation regulations and pending management tools, has outlined a programmatic framework within which operators have the opportunity to activate economic initiatives capable of providing quality services for visitors to the protected area.

The following are some pointers to facilitate how to visit and learn more about the opportunities to visit the Park and MPA.

With whom to visit the Park and Marine Protected Area.

For the first visit to Asinara, The Park recommends being accompanied by the authorized operators, who guarantee all the support necessary to enjoy the natural beauty present.

It is possible to choose from the many ways of visiting, on land and at sea, whose services are regulated by rates worked out by the operators themselves.

On the other hand, for those who already know Asinara, it is also possible to visit on your own, on foot or by bicycle along the thematic trails marked out by the Park, or by renting bikes and electric cars.

The sea opens up a different perspective of the island: from excursions with fishermen, to sailing trips with sailboats or, for the more educated, diving with diving operators.

Since 2006, it has been possible to access the Marine Protected Area with private sailboats by stopping at the buoy fields, at the mooring, managed and present at various points along the coast, from Fornelli in the south to Cala d’Oliva in the east.

Another option offered to visitors is an overnight stay in one of the facilities in Cala d’Oliva.

The most scenically beautiful seasons are spring and early summer, when nature offers visitors the most beautiful blooms and when temporary wetlands and streams are still active, before summer drying up due to the Mediterranean climate.

In autumn, winter and spring, walks and hikes along the island’s trails allow people to discover isolated and unspoiled places that are more difficult to reach in the summer season due to high temperatures.

In July and August, it is preferable not to consider hiking and to favor all other modes. In fact, it is recommended to walk only short stretches, preferably in contact with the sea, given the absence of continuous tree cover and the high temperatures. Given the heat of the summer period, it is important to ensure that you always have adequate water supplies and necessary sun protection with you.

The kiosk in the Fornelli locality, the bar service at Cala Reale, the restaurant/bar L’Asino Bianco, the Locanda del Parco, and the Hostel-Restaurant in the Cala d’Oliva locality are present on the island, providing refreshment and overnight services.

Asinara Island can also be reached by a public boat service provided by the Delcomar Navigation Company, which operates in the “Dogana-Segni” pier on the Porto Torres-Cala Reale route. Ferry schedules vary throughout the seasons.

For information on routes and schedules, contact the ticket office directly at the Porto Torres Maritime Station or visit
www.delcomar.it

Visitors arriving at Cala Reale by ferry in territorial continuity with the Municipality of Porto Torres will receive information from the guides at the visitor centers about the activities and visits possible in Asinara National Park.

Tourist information for visiting the park

TOURIST OFFICE MUNICIPALITY OF PORTO TORRES
Maritime Station – Via A. Bassu
Tel: (+39) 079 5048008
info.turistiche@comune.porto-torres.ss.it

TOURIST OFFICE MUNICIPALITY OF STINTINO
via Sassari 121C
Tel: (+39) 079 520081
ufficioturistico@comune.stintino.ss.it

TOURIST OFFICE MUNICIPALITY OF CASTELSARDO
via Pietro Sassu 1
Tel: (+39) 0794780931 – 0794780945
ufficioturismo@comune.castelsardo.ss.it

Park Rules

The rules of the Asinara National Park and Marine Protected Area are contained in the two founding decrees published in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic on Dec. 20, 2002.

The full documents can be downloaded from the sections Laws and Regulations of this website.

In summary for the National Park zones with a different level of protection are established:

  • Zone A: integral reserve of exceptional natural and environmental interest, where access is not allowed except for operations strictly related to the management of the Park. Located in Cala Sant’Andrea, in Cala di Scombro and to the north near the Punta dello Scorno lighthouse;
  • Zone B: Of significant interest, representing the natural heart of Asinara Park and where anything that does not disturb nature, the environment and the landscape is allowed.
  • Zone C: Of significant landscape value, which includes the most anthropized areas of Campu Perdu, Trabuccato, Fornelli and Case Bianche, where all activities normally permitted in an urban center are allowed, it being understood that the particularity of the situation imposes very tight constraints in the execution of said activities.
  • Zone D: urban areas of Cala Reale and Cala d’Oliva, of economic and social promotion in which activities compatible with the Park’s establishment purposes are allowed.

The Marine Protected Area has the following zoning:

  • Zone A:  integral reserve, where only rescue and search actions are allowed.
  • Zone B: general reserve are allowed the activities classically exercised in marine areas (diving, bathing, sailing or rowing, licensed professional fishing, snorkeling, fishing tourism, etc.).
  • Zone C: partial reserve that can be considered a buffer strip with the outer sectors of the MPA.

Dogs, cats and other pets are not allowed in Asinara National Park.

The use of drones is not allowed. There is a general prohibition on overflight by unauthorized vehicles placed on the Protected Area by Framework Law 394/91, as well as specific limitations established by Art. 21 “Exercise of flight” of the Asinara National Park Regulations.

For drone use within the Protected Area, permission must be obtained from the Park Authority, which is not issued for recreational purposes but only for scientific or public benefit purposes.

It is forbidden to disturb and feed wild animals in the Protected Area as well as any behavior damaging buildings and habitats, including even partial taking and damaging of archaeological and mineral relics, plant species and shells.

A respectful attitude should be adopted at historical and memory sites.

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