My Sardinia

Located west of Alghero is a deep bay that stretches inland which is totally enclosed. The limestone cliffs of the Capo Caccia and the Punta del Giglio flanks the entrance to this bay. It is also known as Sardinia’s best natural harbor.

Today, most people know it by the name of Porto Conte, but in antiquity it was known by a more impressive name of Portus Nympharum, also known as Port of the Nymphs.

The old Torre Nuova which stands next to the lighthouse (El Faro) rises on the tip of a small piece of land that juts into Porto Conte. It was originally built to defend the port from corsair attacks and like most Spanish watchtowers on Sardinia, dates back to the 17th century, and boasts a sweeping view of the magnificent bay.

Although it is peaceful today, the tower is a reminder of the times when the coastal inhabitants of the island lived under the constant threat of pirates. For this reason, numerous watchtowers were built along the coastlines to help protect the people.

The bay is often mistaken as a lake and the deep blue water contrasts perfectly with the green sweeps of the pines that surround the bay.

A pleasant walk through the coastline will lead you through pines and coastal macchia up to the cliffs at Punta del Giglio where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the limestone cliffs of Capo Caccia on the opposite side.

The area around Porto Conte has a special botanical feature which is the dwarf fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) which is rarely encountered elsewhere on the island but flourishes in abundance.