Sardinia (Sardegna, in Italian) is the second largest island in Italy after Sicily. With a rocky coastline interrupted by sublime beaches lapped by Mediterranean waters of turquoise, cobalt and cerulean tones, it is a vacanza da sogno (dream vacation) for the Italian mainland. Yet for most non-European travelers, it remains an undiscovered gem.
And there is much to discover here. Beyond its stunning beaches, Sardinia offers a rugged and picturesque inland, archaeological sites predating Rome by thousands of years, world-class museums, cities with well-preserved historical centers, and traditional culture and roads that can make you forget you’re still in Italy. . These are some of the best things to see and do on this Mediterranean island of wonders.
01
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Explore the Castello district of Cagliari
Direction
Piazza Arsenale, 1, 09124 Cagliari CA, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 070 655911
Web
Visit the website
The capital and most populous city of Sardinia has been inhabited for at least 5,000 years. Within the walls of its imposing hilltop citadel are narrow, winding medieval streets; a comprehensive archaeological museum; defensive towers (some of which can be climbed for stunning views of the coastline); and the ornate 13th-century Saint Mariàs Cathedral. The Roman and Carthaginian ruins are just a short walk from the ancient city walls. Throw in a few stops at the area’s cozy bars, restaurants, and shops and you’ve got yourself a good way to spend an afternoon and evening.
02
of 09
Get stylish on the Costa Smeralda
Direction
07021 Porto Cervo, Province of Olbia-Tempio, ItalyGet directions
Sardinia’s ‘Emerald Coast’ rivals the French Riviera as an undisputed playground for Europe’s rich and famous, with a host of Russian oligarchs and their megayachts thrown in for good measure. The summer action centers on Porto Cervo, home to incredibly expensive beachfront villas; tanned, beautiful women; discos all night; and they camped out paparazzi hoping to catch the latest peccadillo from some Italian politician or movie star.
03
of 09
Probing the mysteries of the Nuragic culture in Barumini
Direction
Viale Su Nuraxi, 09021 Barumini VS, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 070 936 8128
Web
Visit the website
From around 1500 a. Until the Punic wars in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. C., the Nuragic peoples were the dominant culture on the island. They left over 7,000 Nuraghi beehive-shaped stone fortresses surrounded by smaller beehive-shaped buildings and often a defensive wall. The best example of a sprawling Nuragic village is Su Nuraxi in Barumini, a UNESCO World Heritage site an hour north of Cagliari.
04
of 09
Mount a rubber dinghy in the Gulf of Orosei
The beaches, coves and “hidden” caves of the Golfo di Orosei, on the east-central coast of the island, are some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Mediterranean. The best way to reach them is with gommone , or raft of the zodiac, which can be hired in Cala Gonone or Marina di Orosei. You might see dolphins frolicking in the wake of the raft, and you’ll stop at several different beaches to swim in waters so clear and blue that they defy superlatives.
Continue to 5 of 9 below.
05
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Walk along Alghero’s seafront and descend to Neptune’s Grotto
Direction
Alghero – Neptune’s Caves, 07041 Alghero SS, ItalyGet directions
On the northwest coast, Alghero’s 13th to 16th-century coastal walls face Spain and speak of its past as a vassal of the Crown of Aragon: a declining percentage of the population still speak Algherese Catalan, a dialect more Spanish than Italian. Explore the beautiful and well-preserved center of Alghero before heading to Neptune’s Grotto (Grotto di Nettuno), a magnificent stalactite sea cavern that can be reached by boat or by a 654-step stone staircase.
06
of 09
Discover Sardo traditions in Nuoro
Direction
Via Antonio Mereu, 56, 08100 Nuoro NU, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 0784 257035
Web
Visit the website
In the rugged and mountainous interior, the city of Nuoro and its surrounding province preserve the indigenous customs of Sardinia, from herding sheep to traditional costumes, music, dance and rituals.
Nuoro’s excellent ethnographic museum tries to figure it all out, but is best experienced in smaller towns like Mamoiada, Oliena, or Orgosolo, which is famous for its contemporary murals. The region boasts some of the best hiking on the island, with nuraghi , prehistoric tombs, springs, and grottoes dotting the rocky landscape, plus lots of random sheep, donkeys, and goats.
07
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Sample of Cannanou, Bottarga and Carasau
Like all regions of Italy, Sardinia prides itself on its food and wine. Don’t leave without trying Cannanou, a hearty red made from Grenache or Vermentino grapes, an acid and citric white. Crisp thin crusty bread is on every table in the restaurant, and on every menu there is a variation of spaghetti alla bottarga (made with red mullet roe). If fish eggs are not for you, try culurgiones , the pasta pockets stuffed with potato and ricotta. Sardinian cheeses move strongly towards the strong pecorino or to the daring casu marzu , a sheep cheese with live worms. Finish your meal with a glass of Sweet Myrtle , a liqueur made from myrtle berries.
08
of 09
Visit the coastal ruins of Nora or Tharros
Direction
Locality Tharros, 09072 San Giovanni di Sinis, Cabras OR, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 0783 370019
Web
Visit the website
The ancients valued waterfront properties as much as we do now, and the archaeological sites of Tharros, near Oristano, and Nora, near Cagliari, attest to this. The cities date from at least 1000 BC. C. and were inhabited over time by Nuragic, Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman peoples, all of which left their traces. Both sites are partially underwater. You can see colonies of pink flamingos near Nora. Just outside Tharros, stop at the exquisite 6th-century Church of San Giovanni di Sinis, one of the oldest on the island.
Continue to 9 of 9 below.
09
of 09
Get away from it all in Asinara
Direction
Via Ai Tamerici, 30, 07038 Isola Rossa OT, ItalyGet directions
Web
Visit the website
If the summer crowds on the beach get too much, hop from island to island in Asinara National Park, northwest of Porto Torres. There are some accessible beaches, plus hiking, bike rentals, and bird watching. You can even arrange to sleep in a basic hotel within the park. Try to see one of the island’s indigenous albino donkeys, as well as wild horses, goats and pigs, and perhaps even the occasional mouflon, a wild sheep with horns. Access to the island / park is limited, so you will need to book the passage with an authorized navigation company.
