Imagine a place where time has stood still. No traffic, no concrete. Only the wind, the scent of the Mediterranean scrub, and the curious eyes of white donkeys. Welcome to Asinara.

Today it is a heavenly National Park, but for over a century, this was a place of isolation and suffering. A place from which, for ships and men alike, it was impossible to leave.

If you stay at Villa Malvasio, you are in the perfect strategic position to discover this double soul of the island: the wild one and the historical one. 

Here is your guide for an excursion you won't forget.

1. "The Cayenne of the Mediterranean": Why no one could escape 🌊

Many know Asinara as the Maximum Security Prison that in the 70s and 80s housed terrorists and Mafia bosses (from Totò Riina to Raffaele Cutolo). But have you ever wondered why this specific place was chosen?

It wasn't just the bars that held the prisoners. It was the sea. The marine currents in the stretch of sea between Asinara and Corsica (and towards Stintino) are incredibly strong, treacherous, and change direction suddenly. 

Attempting to escape by swimming meant, almost certainly, being swept out to sea and disappearing forever. The island was a perfect natural fortress.

2. Before the Prison: The Quarantine Island ⚓

But there is an even older and more fascinating story. In the late 19th century, before the cells, there were hospitals here. Asinara was established as an International Quarantine Health Station.

Imagine sailing ships and steamers arriving from the East with crews suspected of having the plague or cholera. The ships were stopped offshore and forced to disembark the sick at Cala Reale. Here, in the "Health Station," they were isolated and treated (or left to die) to prevent epidemics from reaching Sardinia and Europe. Walking among the old buildings of Cala Reale, you can still see the remains of this past: the imposing Royal Palace, the Hospital, and the disinfection areas. It is a dive into the history of medicine that gives you chills.

3. 2026 Practical Guide: How to survive (and enjoy) the trip ✅

Today the island is uninhabited and beautiful, but it must be tackled with intelligence. It is not a holiday village: it is wild nature.

⛔ Rule #1: No private cars You cannot bring your car to the island. You arrive only on foot via the passenger ferry.

🥪 Rule #2: The "Packed Lunch" Strategy On the island, refreshment points are very few, crowded, and expensive. Do like the real explorers:

1. Have a super breakfast at Villa Malvasio.
2. Before boarding, buy plenty of focaccia and water (it gets hot on the island!).
3. Enjoy a picnic on the beach of Cala Sabina: Caribbean water and zero stress.

🚲 Rule #3: Choose your vehicle Once disembarked, how do you move around?

• E-Bike (Recommended): Rent it on the spot. It is the best way to smell the scents of the island. Be careful though: the island is long! Don't try to see it all or you'll lose the return ferry.
• 4x4 Jeep: If you want to get to the Lighthouse of Punta Scorno (the wild extreme north), book a guided Jeep tour.

4. The Logistics Secret: Start from Porto Torres (not Stintino!) 🚢

Here is the tip that is worth the holiday. Most tourists crowd into Stintino (traffic, impossible parking, small boats). You are smarter. Staying at Villa Malvasio in Sassari:

• In 15 minutes by highway, you are at the port of Porto Torres.
• You park comfortably.
• Board the Delcomar ferry: a real, stable ship where you enjoy coffee on the deck as you approach history.

And upon return? While the others are queuing under the sun in Stintino, you are already in our garden in Sassari, ready for a cool shower and a typical dinner in the city.

📅 History is waiting for you. Book your strategic base: 
👉 Check availability at Villa Malvasio