Cala Luna, Beach in Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia, Italy
Cala Luna is a beach in the Gulf of Orosei on the eastern coast of Sardinia in Italy, stretching roughly 800 meters with fine golden sand. Limestone cliffs frame the shore on either side, and five natural caves open into the rock along the northern coastline.
For centuries, only local shepherds knew this remote stretch of coast, as it required hours of walking to reach. The development of boat connections from the 1970s onward opened the area to tourists and transformed the region.
The name comes from the Sardinian word Elune, which shepherds from Baunei used because reaching this place felt as distant as traveling to the moon. An Italian film from 1974 brought the location to international attention and continues to draw visitors from around the world.
Boats depart regularly from several ports along the coast and bring visitors directly to the cove, as reaching it by land involves a difficult trek. Those planning to explore the caves should come during calm seas and bring water shoes, as the rocks can be slippery.
A small stream flows from the inland area across the beach and forms a shallow freshwater pond behind the shore, surrounded by flowering oleander bushes. The stream water mixes with the sea in the surf, creating a noticeable temperature contrast when swimming.
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