Population: 7,980
Altitude: 387 m. above sea level

This large agricultural and pastoral town has recently become very popular as a tourist destination, with its charming, historic centre, which boasts numerous characteristic houses in the typical dark, basaltic stone.

The parish church of S. Caterina, which dates back to the eighteenth century, is worth a visit, with its two majestic, gilt-edged, wooden statues, as well as numerous other churches, such as S. Lussorio, la Madonna d'Itria, la Vergine Assunta, la Madonna di Gonare and la Maddalena. The town is also noted for its vine cultivation and production of cheese, from both sheep and goats' milk. Visitors can also admire the town's traditional handicrafts, such as the exquisite artisan jewels in gold filigree, woollen rugs and fine, leather goods.

Things to see:

• Civico Museo Archeologico
  
  
  
• Cala Luna
  
  
  
• Cala Sisine.
  This splendid bay lies about 12 km south of Cala Gonone and is only accessible by boat. It is a charming, sandy inlet, which has formed at the point where the River Codula di Sisine meets the sea. To the north and south the bay is framed by high cliff faces, which rise straight up out of the sea.
  
  
  
• Grotta del Bue Marino
  This cave lies about 5 km to the south of Cala Gonone and is accessible both by sea and land. It is one of the largest and most striking caves in Sardinia and gets its name from the fact that it is one of the last Mediterranean refuges of the Monk Seal. In fact, 'Bue Marino' is the Sardinian word for this endangered species. It is a particularly picturesque environment because it abounds in small lakes and splendid concretions. A well-equipped, illuminated path guides visitors though the chambers where they can admire the marvellous stalagmites and stalactites.
  
  
  
• Grotta Ispingoli
  This cave lies about 6 km from Dorgali and is one of the largest in Italy, stretching out for about 10 km. It has a large, impressive natural entrance and has been known to man since the Nuragic and Punic times, when it was undoubtedly used as a place of worship. It boasts an enormous stalagmite, over 38 m. high, which is thought to be the highest in Italy.
  
  
  
• Gola di Gorroppu
  This is an impressive canyon, characterised by towering, limestone rock faces, which rise up vertically for over 200 m. It is the perfect habitat for rare plant species and endangered birds of prey.