Skip menu

Sardinia: a journey to the island of the emerald sea, nuraghi, unspoilt nature and millenary traditions

Crystal-clear waters, beaches of soft, white sand, granite rocks framed by wild, fragrant Mediterranean scrub: welcome to Sardinia, an island of a thousand contrasts that will also seduce you with its unique archaeological heritage and its people's innate sense of hospitality.

Cagliari Sassari Oristano Nuoro Carbonia
Cagliari
Cagliari

Cagliari goes straight to the heart: a thousand-year history, a magnificent sea and endless attractions History, art and culture combine perfectly with beautiful beaches, lagoon areas and green parks: Cagliari is the Sardinian jewel of a city captivating with its majestic architecture, winding alleys and privileged location directly overlooking the sea.

Discover
Sassari
Sassari

Deep cultural roots at a stone's throw from the sea Sassari rises on a plateau that descends to the north-west towards the Gulf of Asinara and the Nurra plain. The centre, surrounded by woods and olive groves, is characterised by its narrow streets and the remains of ancient walls. A stop at the Cathedral of St Nicholas, with its Gothic layout but Baroque façade, is a must. A few steps from the cathedral are the Ducal Palace and the Jesuit College. The true symbol of the city is the Rossello Fountain, in late Renaissance style. Its complex symbolism representing the four seasons is a reminder of the inexorable passage of time. In the heart of Gallura, Aggius is a true open-air art gallery. This small village is known for its brightly painted doors, geometric shapes and traditional designs. If you move to the coast, you can choose between the beaches of Platamona, famous for surfing and windsurfing, Stintino, La Pelosa and La Pelosetta, with white sand and crystal clear sea. At Ferragosto (mid-August), don't miss the “festha manna”, the great feast, the historical procession dedicated to the Assumption that freed the city from the plague. During the Descent of the Candlesticks the candles are carried on the shoulders with dancing in front of the ecstatic crowd.

Discover
Oristano
Oristano

Discovering ancient and little-known traditions The province of Oristano, although not very extensive, is rich in places to visit. Already the capital has much to offer, with its beautiful cathedral, the Archaeological Museum and local delicacies. But it is by moving just a few kilometres away from the centre that one comes across striking places. Like the small town of Cabras, with its Mari Ermi, Is Arutas and Maimoni beaches, rich in quartzite grains. Dive in search of the underwater medicinal spring at Funtana Meiga. Plenty of culture, instead, in the varied archaeological heritage of the Museo Civico Giovanni Marongiu, also known as the Museum of the Giants of Mont'e Prama. The Sinis Peninsula is home to the ghost town of San Salvatore, the set of numerous “spaghetti westerns”, and San Giovanni, where the second oldest early Christian church in Sardinia lies. At Tharros, however, the ruins of the ancient Phoenician city can be admired. The Guilcer area includes villages such as Ghilarza, where Antonio Gramsci's house-museum stands, Abbasanta, the archaeological site of the Nuraghe Losa, and Paulilatino, where you can visit the mysterious well of Santa Cristina. Finally, stop at Fordongianus, inland, with its ancient Roman baths and Aragonese House.

Discover
Nuoro
Nuoro

Authentic and surprising land Sardinia is not only sea and beaches, and the province of Nuoro is a clear demonstration of this. An area rich in history, art and traditions, which varies from kilometre to kilometre, passing from green valleys to high mountains. One of the symbols of the Nuoro area is Monte Ortobene, a 955-metre granite mountain. On its summit, the Cuccuru Nigheddu, the Statue of the Redeemer stands. One can admire the wonderful landscape, which opens up to the Gennargentu and the Gulf of Orosei. Not far away, in the Sedda Oddai park area, is the small Church of Solitude, which houses the remains of writer Grazia Deledda. A must-see destination is the Tanca Manna nuraghe, a megalithic monument in the shape of a single tower with a dome, built with rocks and granite blocks, with two opposing niches inside. On the Supramonte slopes, just a few kilometres from Oliena, one comes across the karstic spring of Su Gologone and the deep canyon of Su Gorropu, created by the erosion of Rio Flumineddu. Finally, the cave of Ispinigoli, inside which rings, jewellery and sun symbols were found, revealing the existence of a Phoenician sacrificial well.

Discover
Carbonia
Carbonia

South Sardinia (formerly Carbonia-Iglesias) Isolated beaches, coves and caves: discovering a new side to Sardinia Carbonia-Iglesias is dominated by the two cities that until 2016 were the administrative capitals of its namesake province, which was later incorporated into the province of South Sardinia. Carbonia became a town as recently as the 1930s, developed around the disused coal mines that tourists can now visit thanks to the Serbariu coal mine museum, which opened in 2006. The area surrounding the city boasts archaeological sites that bear witness to the passage of civilisations over the centuries, from the Monte Sirai archaeological site to the Cannas di Sotto archaeological park. Visitors who love the sea can enjoy the wonderful beaches of the Sulcis coastline: Masua beach, Portopaglietto beach and Porto Paglia beach are among the most popular. Iglesias, a royal city in Sardinia during Spanish rule, boasts a historic centre full of churches ranging from Gothic-style architecture to the Art Nouveau style of the early 20th century. It also has a coastline with an amazing number of coves and caves to explore, offering you the chance to relax while enjoying stunning views.

Discover
  • Highlights
  • Villages
  • Nature
  • Sport
  • Art & Culture
Nature
La Maddalena National Park

La Maddalena National Park

La Maddalena National Park, with Mediterranean charm With its 180 km of coastline, the La Maddalena National Park in northern Sardinia boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean Sea. Those who love the idyllic sea cannot fail to put places such as the Pink Beach on the island of Budelli, Cala Corsara and Cala Granara in Spargi, Cala Napoletana and Del Relitto in Caprera on their list of places to visit. In the park of La Maddalena, nature's own architect has really indulged in shapes and colours here: the pink granite rocks and the blue sea make this slice of paradise on the Bocche di Bonifacio truly irresistible. La Maddalena and Caprera There are 62 islands and islets that make up the Maddalena archipelago park. The largest island is the landing point due to the frequent ferry service from Palau, on the nearby Sardinian coast. The historic centre is a delightful maze of narrow streets sloping down to the sea, always lively both during the day and at night. From the port by bus, one can circle the island and stop at its many beaches: Spalmatore is a deep inlet that is well protected when the mistral wind blows; the beaches of Bassa Trinita and Monti d'Arena preserve sand dunes, and walkways have been built to protect them from being trampled on, allowing even the disabled easy access to the sea. The most beautiful sunsets can be enjoyed from Punta Tegge, opposite the island of Spargi. The island of Caprera, connected by a bridge to La Maddalena, is the true enchantment of the Archipelago Park. The dense pine forest that covers it is owed to Giuseppe Garibaldi, who wanted to spend the last years of his life from 1856 to 1882 in one of the most beautiful places on the island. His home and burial place is definitely worth a visit, not just for historical curiosity, but for the pleasant atmosphere that emanates from a place that was certainly much loved: 4 km from the house in Forte Arbuticci is the Garibaldi memorial, which recounts his adventurous life, to say the least. The rest of the island is a succession of bays and beaches, one more beautiful than the other; in one of which you will find the Centro Velico, one of Italy's best-known sailing schools. The islets of the archipelago The island of Budelli is famous for an inlet that faces south-east, known as the Spiaggia Rosa or Pink Beach, because of the colour of its sand. This colouring is due to the skeletal debris of aquatic animals (Miriapora truncata, Miniacina miniacea) that are concentrated here due to a number of factors: the presence of a Posidonia prairie, the shape of the seabed, because there are low-energy currents, and because it is protected from the westerly winds by a thick juniper hedge. Changing just one of these factors, for example with the wave motion of boats that would intensify the energy of the currents, could alter the delicate balance and set off an irreversible degradation process. This is why the Pink beach is not accessible and can only be seen from a distance from walkways set up by the park. Equally beautiful and fragile is Budelli's white Cavaliere beach in the north-eastern part, a natural swimming pool facing the so-called Porto della Madonna, the stretch of water bordered by Budelli and the islands of Razzoli and Santa Maria, one of the most sought-after spots by yachtsmen. Due to sand erosion, the beach has only been open partially since summer 2020. The beaches of Spargi, the largest and greenest of the smaller islands, are also beautiful. Many protected birds nest here thanks to the presence of fresh water: as far as beaches are concerned, with cala Corsara and cala Granara, we are in the top 10.
Region

Land of emerald sea, nuraghi and millenary traditions

Sardinia: a journey to the island of the emerald sea, nuraghi, unspoilt nature and millenary traditions. Crystal-clear waters, beaches of soft, white sand, granite rocks framed by wild, fragrant Mediterranean scrub: welcome to Sardinia, an island of a thousand contrasts that will also seduce you with its unique archaeological heritage and its people's innate sense of hospitality.

 

Learn more
1600X1600_cagliari_approfondimento
Ops! An error occurred while sharing your content. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page.