Tortolì was subsequently conquered by the Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Umayyad, and Spanish. It was part of the giudicato of Cagliari during the 12th century.
The town was the head of the County of Quirra.
In 1807 Tortolì became head of a province consisting of 27 villages, but in 1921 lost the capital status in favour of Lanusei. In 1859 it was incorporated into the Province of Cagliari. In 1926 it was incorporated into the province of Nuoro.
In 1943 the port of Arbatax was bombed, with 13 dead.