Cala Bona

Cala Bona is a sheltered cove on Alghero's southern coast, with dark sand, pebbles and flat pinkish rocks. Its natural shelter has connected the inlet with small-boat activity; the name means “good cove.”

Why it matters

The cove marks the transition from Alghero's open northern shoreline to the rocky inlets on the coast towards Bosa. Balaguer hill rises behind it, while the former sandstone quarry and the small harbour reflect the area's working history.

What to notice

The shore combines coarse dark sand, pebbles and flat rock shelves. The water is clear and deepens over a rocky seabed. A sea cave, Grotta di Costa, opens beside the cove. Above the beach, terraces on the slope recall the area's past as a sandstone quarry.

Context and history

Cala Bona lies on the Riviera del Corallo, the coast around Alghero associated with red coral and the city's coral-working tradition. The surrounding sandstone was quarried for building before extraction ceased. South of the cove, the coast continues through Burantì and the Spiaggia della Speranza towards Bosa.