Nature reserves, caves, lagoons: the South West Coast of Sardinia knows how to amaze at any time of year.
A holiday at the Lantana Resort in Pula allows you to explore different places every day and get to know the Sardinia you don't expect, that of off-season holidays, nature reserves, flamingos and forests.
Here are some things you can do during a holiday in Pula and the most beautiful places to visit.
Nora Lagoon
The lagoon park behind the archaeological ruins of Nora and the beach of the same name covers about 55 hectares and is one of the main natural attractions of the Pula area. There is also a sea turtle rescue centre and an environmental education workshop, where you will have a wonderful experience in direct contact with nature. Guided tours offer a variety of activities: from snorkelling, with the opportunity to admire many species of fish, starfish and sea anemones up close, to canoe trips to discover the wildest corners of the lagoon, to observe herons, pink flamingos and other water birds; from a visit to the small Mediterranean aquarium to a tour of the sea turtle recovery centre, for a close encounter with the hospitalised animals waiting to be released back into the wild.
Monte Arcosu Nature Reserve
The Monte Arcosu - Piscinamanna nature reserve is the largest WWF oasis in Italy. It is located in the mountainous region of south-west Sardinia, north of Pula and a few kilometres from Cagliari, and covers almost 4,000 hectares in an area crossed by the Riu Guttureddu river, covered by a dense forest predominantly of holm oak and cork trees, with undergrowth of Mediterranean scrub. The area is known to nature conservationists for the presence of the Sardinian deer and is populated by fallow deer, wild cats, golden eagles, Sardinian goshawks, peregrine falcons, as well as species typical to Sardinia such as the "Sardinian Macaone" butterfly.
Pixinamanna Forest
The Pixinamanna state forest is located just over 10 km from the Lantana Resort and is a truly captivating place, where paths criss-crossed by holm and cork oak groves can be followed, and various Sardinian deer, wild boar and fallow deer can be spotted among the vegetation. It is adjoined by the Is Cannoneris, Pantaleo, Monte Nieddu and Gutturu Mannu State Forests and is largely a permanent oasis of protection and conservation.
Is Zuddas Caves
The splendid caves of Is Zuddas, carved by water erosion, are located at 256 metres on Monte Meana, 6 km from the town of Santadi, about 50 km from Pula. The caves extend for about 1,650 metres, but it is possible to explore 500 metres: they consist of four chambers that are completely different from each other in the configuration of stalactites and stalagmites. In the atmospheric Sala dell'Organo, covered with white needle-like aragonite crystals, a large nativity scene is set up for Christmas and mass is celebrated. On the vault immediately after the entrance are traces of the Polagus Sardus, a rodent that became extinct about 4,000 years ago and is only found in Sardinia and Corsica.
Pula Adventure Park
For an afternoon unlike any other, immersed in nature, we recommend the fun tree trails at the Pula Adventure Park. The facilities are well organised into two overhead courses: one for children under 1.40 cm tall and one for adults and children. You are supervised in complete safety by competent and patient instructors and do not need to be an expert or have any equipment (harnesses and helmets), which is provided with a safety brief at the park entrance.