Cala Spinosa

Cala Spinosa is a small cove on the northern shore of Capo Testa, near Santa Teresa Gallura. Granite and sandstone walls enclose a narrow shore, while the cove’s clear water and rocky seabed form part of the headland’s striking coastal landscape.

Why it matters

Cala Spinosa lies on Capo Testa, a granite promontory shaped by the sea and known for its unusual rock formations. The cove’s rocky seabed and surrounding cliffs give it a distinct character within the coastline of Santa Teresa Gallura. The wider promontory is protected as a Natura 2000 site.

What to notice

The cove is enclosed by rock walls and a narrow shore of sand and pebbles. Its seabed is rocky and deeply creviced, supporting marine life. The surrounding headland combines granite forms with areas of tuff and sandstone. Inland from the cove, traces of Roman granite quarrying remain on Capo Testa.

Context and history

Roman quarrying took place on the Capo Testa promontory, where granite was extracted and transported for use elsewhere, including Rome. The precise location of the ancient port of Tibula remains uncertain; regional tourism sources present the possibility that it lay in waters near the cove. Cala Spinosa was also used as a filming location for the 1972 television series A come Andromeda. The nearby lighthouse marks the strait between Sardinia and Corsica.