Its foundation probably dates back to the end of the 16th century when the first tuna traps were installed in Sardinia. Entrusted over time in concession to various traders, the history of the Tonnara ends in the 70s when, once its activity definitively ceased, the wall structures were sold to settle the debts of the last unsuccessful fishing seasons. The origin of the village of Stintino, dated 15 August 1885, is due to the decision of the Italian government to establish a quarantine maritime health station and a penal colony on the island of Asinara. At that time the island was inhabited by 45 families. The government, after a series of negotiations with the former inhabitants of the island, associated in the union of the 45, offered a ” regalia ” of 750 lire and the possibility of choosing a site where they could settle.
Given the strategic position and the bond that still linked the exiles with the Asinara Island, it was decided that the new town would rise in the “ Isthintini “, which were equally decisive for the choice of the name of the town: Isthintini – Sthintini – Stintino, which initially should have been called Cala Savoia.

Thus was born Stintino, ordered according to the master plan that neatly divided the town into a narrow peninsula between the two arms of the sea, Porto Vecchio and Porto Nuovo (Portu Mannu), with its small houses adorned with mint and basil that remind us of first impact those of Cala d’Oliva. For the people of Stintino, the sea was the ” modus vivendi ” to which they were intimately and doubly linked not only for economic factors. The trap and fishing regulated the life of this small village and every season was accompanied by rituals and habits.
The main wealth of the town, the Tonnara, was followed by tourism which in the early 1900s led the village to host some of the most illustrious families of the Sassari bourgeoisie, the Azzena, the Berlinguer, Segni, Silenti, Scotti. In the 1960s, the Morattis bought some land and built villas and hotels, making Stintino and its beaches known to the whole world. For over a century Stintino was part of the municipality of Sassari, until 10 August 1988, which became an independent municipality. After one hundred and three years, the people of Stintino were finally able to decide the fate of their country.