Dunes of Piscinas

The Piscinas dunes are accessible by path that passes by the ruins of the mines. It’s like a small Sardinian Sahara where the dunes can reach up to 60 meters high. There are juniper bushes bordering the wind-shaped dunes and a huge white-sand beach at the end. It’s a completely “wild” area save for the old mining building which is now a hotel. Piscinas is a pleasant place to enjoy the beach in its natural state, especially during the low season when parking is free.

Arbus is a region of Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean in terms of population and size. In Arbus, you’ll find one of the most peculiar beaches in the world and one that attracts lovers of nature, sun, and relaxation: Piscinas.

Arbus is a peaceful desert with 12-meter tall dunes covered in Mediterranean plant life; a perfect mix of mountain and sea. The coastline is gorgeous and bathed in crystal-clear waters that get very deep only a few meters from the shore. It’s truly one of the most unique spots in Sardinia and, though it’s hard to believe, it’s still not mobbed by tourists.

During my vacation in Sardinia, I went to visit the southwest part of the island known "Costa Verde". There, I found Piscinas, a pristine stretch of the Sardinian coastline that’s known for its high dunes of golden sand reminiscent of the desert. Even the drive Piscinas was full of breathtaking views. Here’s how to go: starting from Oristano, take the SS-131 and continue in the direction of the Torre dei Corsari. The last stretch of the road is unpaved (at one point, you even need to cross the Piscinas river), but you soon arrive at the beautiful dunes and transparent-turquoise sea. Piscinas is located in the old mining district of Ingurtosu, home of the famous Montevecchio mines where you can see the now-abandoned facilities.