Grotta dei Palombi

Gruta dels Coloms

Useful Information

Location:	Isola di Foradada, 07041 Alghero SS. By boot from Alghero. From Alghero SS127bis to Maristella, SP55 to Piscina Salida, continue on SP55, parking lot on the right Belvedere Foradada. (40.570832, 8.151937)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	L=110 m, W=20 m, H=20 m.
Guided tours:	boat tour
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Grotta dei Palombi, Isola di Foradada, 07041 Alghero SS, Tel: +39-079-979054.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Grotta dei Palombi (Cave of the Pigeons), in Sardinian Gruta dels Coloms, is located on the small island of Foradada, which translates ‘pierced’. Actually the cave is a through-cave crossing the island from the east side to the west side. It is a sea cave, the boats enter the cave from the western side of the island. They can not cross the island though, there is a rock at the eastern end which is a few meters above the sea level and blocks the entrance for boats. So they can enter about 85 m of the total 105 m of the cave.

The only way to access the cave is by boat. There are boat operators departing from the port of Alghero, which actually travel to the nearby show cave Grotta di Nettuno. The boats which are small enough for the cave take a detour and enter the cave. The visit allows a great experience, to see the wildlife which inhabits the cave. Many species of birds like herring gulls, pigeons, seagulls, cormorants, and crows visit the cave. The rare griffon vulture nests among the rocks of Punta Cristallo. But there is also a lot of interesting fauna underwater.

A rather dubious sight is the face of Dante Alighieri. They claim a certain rock would look exactly like the famous Italian author from a certain angle. However, such things always require a fair amount of imagination.

There is also a viewpoint at SS 55 named Belvedere Foradada, which allows a view on the island and the eastern entrance of the cave.