Porto Ferro is a small, sheltered bay on Sardinia's northwest coast, about 10 km north of Alghero. The beach has a distinctive reddish tinge from the iron-rich sand. At each end, two old Spanish watchtowers — Torre Negra and Torre di Bantine Sale — frame the cove. The northern tower, Torre Negra, is one of the best-preserved on the island.
The bay is backed by dunes and Mediterranean scrub and has no commercial development to speak of — no bars, no sun-lounger hire. That's the attraction: it stays quieter than most northwest coast beaches even in peak summer. Swimming is good but currents can be strong when the mistral blows.
About 2 km inland, Lake Baratz is Sardinia's only natural freshwater lake. The walk from beach to lake through cork oak forest is one of the better short hikes in this corner of the island.