Tortolì is situated slightly inland
from Arbatax, the access from the sea for the whole of Ogliastra
and the only port in the province of Nuoro. The economy
that was traditionally based on agriculture and farming
has evolved into the industrial and service sectors with
a particular focus on tourism. Fish and its derivates are
amongst the typical products, such as the renowned Bottarga
(dried grey mullet eggs), but also wines like Cannonau.
In the area one can visit the tower of San Gemiliano set
on the promontory overlooking the bay in location Porto
Frailis, which was built between the Fifteenth and the Seventeenth
centuries to guard the coast, and the Spanish tower of San
Michele dating back to the Sixteenth century situated in
the centre of Arbatax.
Thanks to a particular initiative that was started in 1995,
the streets and the piazzas of Tortolì exhibit works
of contemporary art by Italian and foreign artists giving
life to an original open air gallery.
Leaving the built-up area in a northern direction, a short
distance from the town there is the marsh of Tortolì,
which is one of the richest in fish in the whole of Sardinia;
it also houses interesting species of birds especially during
winter.
Several beautiful beaches open up onto the Tortolì
coast, all with very fine white sand and crystalline water;
the very long and wide Orrì beach, the famous Cea
beach and the splendid crags, the beaches of San Gemiliano
and Sos Flores.
Not to miss, the 16 m high porphyry rocks facing the port
of Arbatax, known as Scogli Rossi (red rocks).
