Quartu Sant’Elena Coast and Eastern Campidano
The Historical Region of Campidano di Cagliari
The Campidano is a vast southwestern plain in Sardinia extending nearly one hundred kilometers
between the Gulf of Cagliari and the Gulf of Oristano. Formed by the filling of a Tertiary geological
depression, its economy relies on agriculture, viticulture, livestock, and coastal wetlands like the
Santa Gilla and Molentargius lagoons.
Overview of Quartu Sant’Elena Coastline
The eastern stretch of the Gulf of Cagliari coastline within the municipality of Quartu Sant’Elena
extends from the Poetto beach toward Cala Regina.
Key Sites & Landmarks:
• Poetto Beach of Quartu Sant’Elena: The eastern continuation of Cagliari’s Poetto beach,
extending to Margine Rosso. It features fine golden-white sand, shallow waters, and full
seaside amenities.
• Torre di Carcangiolas (Serra Pauli): A 16th-century Spanish coastal watchtower built from
limestone and granite, currently reduced to ruins located a short distance offshore.
• Quartu & Molentargius Wetlands: Part of an extensive wetland system including the
Bellarosa Minore, Bellarosa Maggiore (state salt pans), and Quartu lagoons, home to nesting
pink flamingos and diverse aquatic birdlife.
• Margine Rosso: A residential coastal neighborhood established around 1960, featuring the
Margine Rosso beach and the modern Church of San Luca.
• Foxi & S’Oru ’e Mari: Coastal residential fractions featuring sandy beaches, wind-surfing
spots, and the remnants of the Su Forti Becciu Nuraghe overlain by a WWII anti-aircraft
battery.
• Marina di Capitana: A modern tourist marina providing roughly 480 boat slips, flanked by
local beaches and coastal inlets.
• Is Mortorius: A rocky coastal stretch containing the ruins of the 16th-century Torre di Is
Mortorius and remnants of a WWII anti-ship artillery battery (Batteria Carlo Faldi).
• Cala Regina: A picturesque cove sheltered by rocky cliffs, featuring a pebble beach and the
1578 granite Torre di Cala Regina watchtower.
• Geremeas Bay (Kal e Moru & Marongiu): A scenic 3-kilometer coastal bay shared between
Quartu Sant’Elena and Maracalagonis, characterized by fine golden sand and lively summer
nightlife.
• Torre delle Stelle: A large residential promontory development built in the 1950s, featuring
the Cann ’e Sisa and Genn ’e Mari beaches and the 1578 Torre de Su Fenugu.
• Solanas: A coastal village and administrative exclave of Sinnai, featuring the coastal Church
of the Madonna della Fiducia and a wide sandy beach overlooked by the 17th-century Capo
Boi Tower.