One of Europe's most dazzling beaches hides at the tip of Sardinia — and only small luxury ships get close enough to anchor. Stintino rewards with crystal Caribbean-like waters, albino donkeys on a wild island, and honest Sardinian seafood.
Stintino has no deep-water cruise pier — all ships anchor and tender passengers ashore.
💡 Pro move: La Pelosa beach has a strict capacity limit in summer. You MUST book your entry pass online (spiaggialapelosa.it) before your cruise — passes often sell out weeks in advance.
Stintino is a tender-only port served exclusively by small luxury ships and expedition yachts.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Windstar, Ponant, SeaDream, Star Clippers | Porto Vecchio (Old Harbor)📍 | Tendered |
| Smaller expedition/luxury vessels | Marina di Stintino (Porto Nuovo)📍 | Tendered |
From Europe's most photographed beach to a national park roamed by albino donkeys, Stintino packs extraordinary variety into a short shore day.
Consistently ranked among Europe's top five beaches, La Pelosa dazzles with powder-white sand and water so clear it looks tropical. Entry is ticketed and capped — book well ahead. You must place a rented straw mat under your towel (towels directly on sand are fined).
Find La Pelosa beach tours →Just across the water, the former maximum-security prison island is now a protected national park. Its resident albino donkeys roam freely alongside wild boar and griffon vultures. Access is by boat excursion or guided 4x4 tour from Marina di Stintino.
Find Asinara Island tours →Stintino was founded by tuna fishermen displaced from Asinara in 1885. The MuT museum near Porto Nuovo tells the story of the traditional bluefin tuna trap (tonnara) with multimedia exhibits and authentic tools.
Find Stintino history tours →Hike to the dramatic headland at the peninsula's tip for sweeping views of the 16th-century Aragonese watchtower standing on its rocky islet and Asinara Island in the distance. The trail is short but exposed — bring water.
Find Stintino hiking tours →Stintino's restaurants do exceptional Sardinian seafood: spaghetti alla bottarga (pasta with dried mullet roe), freccia con cocciula (Sardinian pasta with clams), and seadas (fried cheese pastry with bitter honey). Wash it down with a glass of local Vermentino.
Find Sardinian food experiences →Stintino's compact village is easily explored on foot; most highlights beyond the village require a shuttle or taxi.
From the Porto Vecchio tender dock, walk the old harbor quay to admire traditional wooden fishing boats, then head into Piazza dei 45 — named for the 45 families who founded the town — at the heart of the charming pastel village. Browse boutiques and stop for a coffee — note that shops close 1–4:30 PM for siesta.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Follow the coastal road south past the salt pans — where pink flamingos feed seasonally — to the long Le Saline beach, known for its unusual tiny white pebbles. A quieter alternative to La Pelosa with a wilder feel.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Stintino, Sardinia, Italy (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F / 13°C | 53°F / 12°C | 10 | 7:49 AM | 5:23 PM |
| Feb | 56°F / 13°C | 52°F / 11°C | 8 | 7:21 AM | 6:01 PM |
| Mar | 57°F / 14°C | 54°F / 12°C | 7 | 6:38 AM | 6:33 PM |
| Apr | 60°F / 16°C | 57°F / 14°C | 6 | 6:48 AM | 8:06 PM |
| May | 65°F / 18°C | 62°F / 17°C | 6 | 6:09 AM | 8:37 PM |
| Jun | 72°F / 22°C | 69°F / 21°C | 3 | 5:54 AM | 9:00 PM |
| Jul | 77°F / 25°C | 74°F / 23°C | 1 | 6:08 AM | 8:57 PM |
| Aug | 78°F / 26°C | 75°F / 24°C | 2 | 6:37 AM | 8:25 PM |
| Sep | 75°F / 24°C | 72°F / 22°C | 5 | 7:08 AM | 7:35 PM |
| Oct | 70°F / 21°C | 67°F / 19°C | 7 | 7:38 AM | 6:46 PM |
| Nov | 64°F / 18°C | 60°F / 16°C | 13 | 7:14 AM | 5:08 PM |
| Dec | 59°F / 15°C | 56°F / 13°C | 10 | 7:45 AM | 4:59 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)