Pan di Zucchero, Limestone island in Masua, South Sardinia.
Pan di Zucchero is a limestone formation that rises about 133 meters from the sea and features two natural arches. The rock formation covers roughly 3.72 hectares and is clearly visible from the surrounding waters.
The island was originally called Concali su Terràinu until the 18th century, when it was renamed because the formation resembles Rio de Janeiro's Sugarloaf Mountain. This renaming shows how wide the connections of sailors and traders reached at that time.
The island sits near Porto Flavia, where traces of mining operations remain visible on the surrounding cliffs. This connection to the region's industrial past becomes apparent when you look toward the shore.
The best way to visit is by taking a boat from Masua harbor, where tours also offer snorkeling and cave exploration opportunities. Most tours operate year-round, so visiting works well regardless of the season.
The rock cliffs contain two tunnel-like caves at sea level, formed as rainwater gradually dissolved the limestone layers over centuries. These caves are only reachable from the water and create a striking feature of the island.
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