Chia: Coast, Nature and History

Coast, History and Nature in Chia

If you’re planning a stay in Chia, you can focus on different things: historical landmarks at the Tower of Chia and Bithia, the beachscape of Sa Colonia, or seasonal birdwatching at the Spartivento Lagoon. Routes and directions are also part of planning. Which historical perspective interests you, and would you rather focus on the beachscape or birdwatching?

The Tower of Chia and Bithia

Since August 1, 2026, the Tower of Chia has been open to the public every day. Opening arrangements may change seasonally, so check them before your visit.

The tower was built starting in 1578 to defend the mouth of the Rio Chia. This purpose distinguishes it in both time and theme from Bithia, whose history dates back to antiquity. Bithia was inhabited from the 8th–7th century BC to the 6th century AD and was a thriving port center, first Phoenician, then Punic, and finally Roman. The outlines of the city walls and some individual houses are visible at Bithia. The tower’s defensive purpose and the development of a port center over several eras thus stand side by side, complemented by visible traces of the city.

Routes to Cala del Morto and Sa Colonia

You can reach the tower via an easy walk of about ten minutes; terrain conditions may vary. Cala del Morto is a short walk from the adjacent Porto Campana car park. For planning your time, these are two different measures: an approximate walking time to the tower and a short walk to Cala del Morto.

Sa Colonia can be reached on foot via a path that crosses a promontory crowned by a tower and covered in Mediterranean scrub. At the foot of the promontory lie the ruins of the Phoenician city of Bithia, dating to the 8th century BC. Access is therefore shaped by the scrub-covered promontory; the same landscape feature also provides context for the archaeological significance of the ruins.

Beach and Seasonal Birdwatching

Sa Colonia is a large beach with soft, white-amber sand. The water is crystal clear and emerald green; the seabed slopes gently toward the open sea. The sand, water color and shape of the seabed give the beach a range of distinctive landscape features.

Behind Su Giudeu Beach lies the Spartivento Lagoon. Pink flamingos, herons and coots can be observed and photographed there; the birds are present seasonally. This makes the lagoon a different nature-focused experience from the beachscape at Sa Colonia: wildlife observation takes center stage at the lagoon, and the time of year matters.

Directions and Amenities at Su Portu

You can reach Su Portu via the panoramic Highway 195 by following the signs to Torre di Chia. Signage and access arrangements may change, so check the latest information before setting off.

There are car parks, places to buy food and refreshments, a campsite and beach equipment rental in the Su Portu area. The services available may change over time. Check in advance which services that are important to you will be available during your trip.

Discover more destinations: L'annunziata, Quartucciu, Olia Speciosa, Armungia, San Vito, Donori, Decimoputzu, Torre Delle Stelle.

For the overall travel guide: Cagliari.