Asinara by 4x4, a prison island seen from the inside, with a swim at the end.

Asinara covers more than 50 km² and has no road open to private cars. To see its history and coastline in one go, the most comfortable way is a 4x4 minibus with a park guide. You leave Stintino in the morning, cross by boat, travel the island from end to end and finish with a long swim before heading back.

The route

With Gite Asinara, you meet at about 9:15 at the Tanca Manna marina in Stintino; it is best to arrive twenty minutes early. You cross by boat to the island and board a Mercedes 4x4 minibus with eight seats. The stops they publish are:

• Punta Salippi and the Austro-Hungarian ossuary.
• Cala d'Oliva, the village of white houses where the director of the penal colony and the guards' families lived, with the buildings of the old prison. The anti-mafia judges Falcone and Borsellino stayed here.
• Cala Reale, the old lazaretto from the late 19th century, where you see the white donkeys, a breed unique to the island. If you wish, you can go into the park's Sea Centre (€4, free up to age 12).
• Cala Sabina, a sandy cove with about two hours to swim before heading back.

The boat drops you back in Stintino at about 17:30. Times change with the state of the sea.

What it costs

The tour costs €60 per adult from October to May, €65 in June and September, €70 in July and €75 in August. Children under 9 pay from €50 to €65, and those under 4, €35. Paid separately are the return boat, €20, which the company books, and the municipal landing tax: €2.50 from October to May and €5 from June to September.

Lunch is not included. There are few places to eat on the island: bring a sandwich and water.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes, layered clothing, a swimming costume and towel, sun cream, sunglasses, a hat, water and your lunch. Dogs and other animals are not allowed.

Who it is for

For anyone who wants to understand the island's history without walking much, and for families: children cope well with the short stops and the final swim. If you prefer the sea, choose the sailing day; if you have energy to spare, hire a bike at the Porto Torres ferry.