A charming little cove, sheltered by limestone cliffs and framed by spectacular scenery. The soft golden sand, the crystal clear water, the bright colours of the sea, the white rocks and the lush green park behind it make Balai the most beautiful and popular beach in Porto Torres, a town in the centre of the Gulf of Asinara. The beach, of sand mixed with little pebbles, is just a hundred metres long and, therefore, it’s often crowded in the summer. It is famous for an unusual tradition, the New Year’s Day swim. You will find it in the eastern outskirts of the town, on the Cristoforo Colombo promenade, one kilometre from the centre. It's worth visiting all year round, for pleasant walks along the pedestrian and cycle path that runs alongside the Porto Torre coast and, passing by Balai and the other small city beaches - Renaredda and Scoglio Lungo -, it stretches to the beginning of the very long (eight kilometres) and wide beach of Platamona, with a pond and pine forest around its border.