Capoterra: Nature, Beaches and History

Capoterra can be considered from different perspectives when planning a trip. If you are looking for a hotel, it helps to think in advance about which themes you want to shape your stay: nature watching, routes along the lagoon, beaches and surfing, or history and tradition. This distinction makes the destination more tangible and helps you match your hotel choice to the kind of trip you have planned.

Nature and the lagoon

Gutturu Mannu Nature Park also extends into the area of Capoterra and is located in the Special Area of Conservation ITB041105 (Foresta di Monte Arcosu). This protected-area designation adds a broader landscape perspective to specific nature activities. At Stagno di Capoterra, visitors can watch flamingos and stilts from designated observation points. The pond lies within a 1,300-hectare lagoon. This figure indicates the scale of the lagoon, while the observation points offer a specific way to go birdwatching. Around Casa Spadaccino, routes along the lagoon can be explored on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike.

This gives you a clear distinction when choosing your nature-focused activities: at Stagno, you can make birdwatching the main focus; around Casa Spadaccino, the focus is on routes that can be explored on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike. Arcosu is home to almost 4,000 hectares of forest with holm oaks and cork oaks, surrounded by Mediterranean scrub.

Beach and surfing

Spiaggia di Torre degli Ulivi beach can be reached via the SS195 and then by taking a left-hand turnoff. Surfers use it because of the often-strong winds. If you want to combine a beach visit with surfing, the relationship between the wind and how the beach is used is a practical point of reference. A coastal visit can therefore be the main focus of your activities, alongside birdwatching and exploring routes by the lagoon.

History and tradition

The Chiesetta di Santa Barbara in the mountains of Capoterra was built around 1280 in the Romanesque-Pisan style. The year 1565 is the date of the first documented mention of the Church of San Girolamo. These dates refer to different historical events: around 1280 indicates the construction period, while 1565 marks the first written reference. The Romanesque-Pisan style is another feature of Santa Barbara, while the documentary date is the main point of reference for San Girolamo.

The Chiesetta di Sant’Efisio in Su Loi is a stopping point for the Sant’Efisio procession. Each year, the procession stops there on 1 May as it follows its traditional route from Cagliari to Nora. If you want to include this tradition in your travel plans, 1 May is a date to bear in mind; also check local event information when planning your trip. The Su Loi coastal tower is a small watchtower. It adds a different type of historic building to the churches and chapels.

Discover more destinations: Camisa, Chia, Domus De Maria, Sestu, Porto Tramatzu, San Vito, Quartucciu, Tratalias

For the broader travel overview: Cagliari.