Arbatax

Arbatax is an outlying coastal district of Tortoli and is the fourth largest port in Sardinia. Its origins are rather uncertain: the oldest document to mention it dates back to 1296 and makes reference to the village of Arbataxara, whose derivation and meaning are extremely oscure.
Arbatax, with a population of about 1.000 inhabitants, stands on the northern side of the Bellavista headland, a short distance from the imposing 16th century Spanish Tower and on the other side to its twin tower called San Gemiliano. Just a little way off you can also see the famous red porphyry rocks and the charming Orrì and Cea beaches, while the main town centre, the dynamic town of Tortolì is just two kilometres inland.
Arbatax took on the role of one of the most important national ports in 1969. There are currently scheduled crossings to Genova and Civitaveccchia as well as to the other Sardinian ports of Cagliari and Olbia. Arbatax also has a modern marina and suitable facilties for all types of water sports and is situated in the middle of the Ogliastra coastline, an area of exceptional beauty that has not yet really seen tourists arriving in large numbers.