Casteldoria free hot springs

About Casteldoria free hot springs

Casteldoria is in northern Sardinia, in the Anglona area, a few minutes from Santa Maria Coghinas. Here the Coghinas river makes a bend at the foot of a granite hill topped by the remains of the Doria castle, and some of the hottest springs on the island rise from the reddish porphyry rock.

Next to the springs a spa was built at the start of the 20th century; it closed in 1988, reopened in 2010 and is now reported closed again for works. Opposite is the Li Caldani river beach, linked by a small wooden bridge to the other bank, among tamarisks and oleanders: here, according to the Anglona tourism website, people bathe in the river all year round, at the points where the hot water mixes with the Coghinas.

Be careful with the temperature: at the source the water is almost boiling, with figures reported from 40 to over 70 °C. Only bathe where the water has already cooled, in the spots regularly used by locals, and stay well away from the emission areas. It's not a place for children. Nearby there is also thermal mud, traditionally used for joint pain.

We have marked Casteldoria as "to be checked" because the spa building is closed and reports about access to the area don't entirely agree: one visitor describes a gate that is officially closed but left open. Before you go, it's worth asking in the village or at the tourist office, and always follow any no-entry signs.

The area is also worth visiting for its surroundings: the Casteldoria tower, the artificial lake on the Coghinas, the medieval village of Castelsardo overlooking the sea and the beaches of the north coast, from Valledoria to Badesi.

If you decide to go, plan to arrive in daylight so you can clearly identify the safe spots and the route along the river. Bring drinking water, suitable shoes and a towel, and if you find the area has changed from what we describe, send us a report: you'll help us keep this page up to date for everyone.