Itinerary Details
Archaeological itinerary from Nora to Bithia
The stretch of coastline connecting the territory of Pula to that of Domus de Maria features a series of archaeological sites that span a millennium, from the Punic Era (5th century B.C.) to the Spanish Era (1500).
The trail crosses the entire coastline in a north-east/south-west direction for approximately 17 km and can only be covered on foot.
The itinerary begins at the archaeological site of Nora, where the ruins of the Punic-Roman city offer a glimpse of what Sardinia was like over 2000 years ago. You can admire the theatre, temples, mosaics and dwellings from the streets of this city from Roman times.
After visiting the archaeological area, and perhaps exploring the Spanish Age tower located at the top of the promontory called “Del Coltellazzo”, you can walk along the lagoon of Nora and the long Campumatta beach for about 4 km. On the other side of the beach, you will find the 16th-century tower of Cala d'Ostia.
The trail leads you for a further 9 km, crossing the beaches of Santa Margherita and Pinus Village where you will join the ancient Roman road that led from the city of Nora to Bithia. Halfway along the road is the islet of Su Cardulinu, at times connected to the mainland by a short strip of sand. Here are the ruins of an ancient temple from the Punic period.
After a few hundred metres, you will walk on the sand of Su Portu, with a 17th-century tower (Chia) overlooking the beach from a small promontory and where you can explore a temple also dating back to the Punic Age.
Route Type:
on foot
Round-Trip Duration:
17 km
Estimated Duration:
full day
Map
Multimedia
Discover the Attractions
Settlement of Nora
Nora is currently one of the most important and most visited archaeological sites on the island.
Tower of St Efis or of the Coltellazzo
The tower is located on the Coltellazzo promontory, a short distance from the ruins of the city of Nora.
Tower of Cala d'Ostia
Located in the southwestern part of the Pula area, the tower was built during the Savoy era, in 1774.
Strada romana
On the coast of the territory of Domus de Maria, one can still admire a long stretch of a roadway dating back to Roman times.
Sacred area of Su Cardolinu
The islet of Su Cardolinu (in Sardinian: the mushroom) lies about 300 metres from the beach of Su Portu, around Chia (Domus de Maria).
Tower of Chia
The Tower of Chia stands at the top of a promontory between the beaches of Su Portu and Sa Colonia, where the Punic-Roman city of Bithia once rose.
Acropolis of Bithia
The remains of the acropolis of Bithia stand on top of a promontory between the beach of Su Portu and that of Sa Colonia.