Carloforte

Carloforte is the only town on San Pietro island, founded in 1738 by Ligurian settlers from Tabarka in Tunisia, where their Genoese ancestors had fished for coral; its name honours King Charles Emmanuel III. Tabarchino is still spoken, and the town, with alleys, steps and pastel houses on the harbour, looks like a village on the Italian Riviera. Life here is tied to bluefin tuna, caught for centuries in the tonnara and celebrated each year at the Girotonno. The island has spectacular coasts, from the Colonne sea stacks to Capo Sandalo and La Caletta beach. Ferries run from Portovesme and Calasetta.

What to see

• Old town e lungomare
• Parish church of San Carlo Borromeo
• Capo Sandalo e il faro
• Le Colonne
• Spiaggia della Caletta
• Tonnara

Festivals and traditions

• Notte di San Giovanni23 June
• GirotonnoJune

Nearby beaches

• La Caletta, Carloforte4 km
• Coaquaddus, Sant'Antioco21 km
• Cala Domestica24 km

Nearby hikes

• Cammino minerario di Santa Barbara22 km

Nearby towns

• Calasetta · 7 km
• Portoscuso · 9 km
• Sant'Antioco · 16 km
• San Giovanni Suergiu · 19 km
• Carbonia · 19 km
• Gonnesa · 20 km
• Tratalias · 24 km
• Perdaxius · 26 km

Sources: Grande Enciclopedia della Sardegna; ISTAT. Original texts by Gotosardinia.