Five places you should visit in Sardinia

Sardinia, an island that surprises the visitor with its natural contrasts, lights, and colors, is a region of ancient traditions, immersed in a wild and immaculate nature. It is one of the most renowned tourist destinations in Italy and is loved by tourists who wish to take a break from urban stress and retreat to a simple and refined place). And not only that, Sardinia not only offers nature and style but also history, culture, activities of all kinds, and artisanal products of the highest level. Today, we are going to list the five places you should visit in Sardinia! Let’s introduce you to the places you really can’t miss! Stay with us and make the most of boot country! Here at Italy’s Dream Tourism, we make the trip of your dreams come true!! Also, get to know our Section Accommodation in Italy – Tips for your Vacation!

Our Introduction

Located in the center of the Mediterranean, with a mountainous territory, but without great peaks, Sardinia presents the visitor with a unique natural atmosphere, at the same time rough and sweet. It is rare to see the presence of man in certain areas, in fact, as the vast surfaces have remained magically intact. There are deer, wild horses, and large predators, and nature is rich in small deserted areas, basins, and lush forests with even millennial trees. How about taking a 7-hour boat tour of the Gulf Orosei? Click here to learn more!

A little more about Sardinia

In the most frequented places, the sea reigns supreme, contrasting with its colors, and insinuating itself into the winding coves along the coasts and beaches. It is not easy to find a priority for the enchanting beauties that can be admired in Sardinia, just as it is not enough to select just five must-see places (it is very, very close to what this island can offer).

Well, let’s now discover some of the wonderful places available on this magical island, which lies splendidly by the Tyrrhenian Sea. Ready to go? Here are the five places you should visit in Sardinia and that you should absolutely put on your travel itinerary!

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1) Five places you should visit in Sardinia – NURAGUE OF BARUMINI

First of all, we put this Nuraghe, which is undoubtedly the most important and best preserved of the more than 7,000 Nurags scattered throughout the island. Also called “Su Nuraxi”, it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997 and is definitely one of the places to visit in Sardinia. It is one of the fifty Italian places included by UESCO on the World Heritage List.

Nurague of Barumini

According to UNESCO, the Nurague of Barumini, which stands out as the best-preserved example of all Sardinian Nurags, is an important testimony to how well a prehistoric community knew how to use the materials and construction techniques of the time in a fantastic and innovative way.

Stone Monuments

Barumini is Sardinia’s symbol of the great stone monuments, a suggestive and mysterious place to visit. Not much is known about the ancient Nurag civilization. However, they were a people of shepherds and peasants who lived divided into small communities in Sardinia and, for eight centuries, built these extraordinary structures. There are about 7,000 Nurags throughout Sardinia; however, the use of these buildings is still mysterious; most likely, they were fortresses. Also, some studies suggest that the Nurags were, in fact, temples.

2) Five places you should visit in Sardinia – LA MADDALENA ARCHIPELAGO

In second place, we put the La Maddalena Archipelago, made up of seven larger islands, it is another place in Sardinia considered a world heritage site by UNESCO, as declared in 1994. Its waters are clear and clean, and it is possible to take half-day or full-day excursions, which allow you to visit those small beaches and coves accessible only by sea, of still-untouched nature and exciting beauty.

Geo-marine Park

The La Maddalena Archipelago is a geo-marine park that extends over an area of about 20,000 hectares, between land and sea. The National Park includes the entire marine area of the La Maddalena Archipelago as well as the terrestrial area (in other words, all the islands and islets belonging to the territory of the municipality of La Maddalena). It is located further north of Sardinia, on the Costa Smeralda. It consists of seven larger islands (La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi and Razzoli) and several smaller islets, bathed by a wonderful and transparent sea.

Caprera

Among the larger islands, Caprera became famous for having welcomed Garibaldi during his exile; his house is now a museum open to the public. The La Maddalena Archipelago is a National Park since 1994 and is certainly one of the most beautiful and unspoiled areas of Sardinia.

Cala Cosara

The numerous beaches and coves of the Archipelago are known for their cleanliness and much appreciated by tourists, whether Italian or foreign. Cala Cosara is considered one of the most beautiful: it is located on the island of Spargi and is known for its fine white sand and crystal-clear sea. Playa Rosa, on the island of Budelli, is undoubtedly the most picturesque, and takes its name from the characteristic pink coloration of its sand, due to the breaking of the shells of the tiny marine animals.

3) Five places you should visit in Sardinia – ALGHERO AND BOSA

Fascinating and unique, Alghero and Bosa, which we put in third place—not in terms of importance—are two tourist regions of Sardinia that should be visited. They are on the northwest coast.

Alghero

Alghero still shows the traces of its Catalan past, with an attractive old town and wonderful beaches. The promenade with narrow and paved streets, protected by towers and walls that look like sand castles, offers a walk with the endless sea breeze (on Saturday nights, it is even more difficult to walk with so many people, but always beautiful for the panorama that is enjoyed).

Bosa

Bosa is already smaller, has the romantic charm of cities bathed by rivers, and has a rich baggage of traditions throughout its life history. Cittadina is equally characteristic, not only for the Malvasia (the typical wine), but also for the beautiful historic center that, seen from afar, cannot pass without a photo: a row of colorful houses overlooking such a clean river. At dawn, the dolphins that come from the Gulf come out to say “hello”! All framed by a castle that, from above, seems to take over the small town and its tranquility.

4) Five places you should visit in Sardinia – ORGOSOLO MURALS AND MAMMOIADA MUSEUM

In fourth place are the Orgosolo murals and the museum of Mamoiada. They are two traditional places in Sardinia, located in the heart of the island, in Barbagia, in the province of Nuoro. Orgosolo is known for its murals (there are about 150 of them), while Mamoiada is famous for its typical carnival masks (you can admire all of them and more, at the city’s Museum of Mediterranean Masks).

The Murals and the Museum

When visiting Orgosolo, it will be possible to discover in every corner of its curvilinear historic center, splendid murals painted by famous painters, who came to this city to witness, with their works, a difficult past and harsh protests. Continuing along Mamoiada through a panoramic road that divides the farms of the two centers, we arrive at a museum where extraordinary examples of carnival masks are preserved, witnesses of a distant past full of pagan rites. Throughout Barbagia, more than in other parts of the island, man maintains a relationship with the past, to which he feels connected and recognizes himself in it.

5) Five places you should visit in Sardinia – GRORROPPU CANYON

The deepest canyon on the island, and one of the deepest in Europe, is in the Ogliastra region in the southeastern part of Sardinia. It is a place to visit but, above all, to live—where you can admire the wildest nature of the island and walk in the centuries-old lands. One legend says that, in Ogliastra, there is a piece of magical land; whoever has the chance to pass over this land will have a long life. No one knows where it is, but why not try your luck?

Grand Canyon

The barbaric territory, immersed in the Supramonte mountain range, is surrounded by dense forests and beautiful flower boxes, where we find the most imposing natural gorge in Italy and Europe: the Gorroppu Canyon, also known as the “Grand Canyon of Europe”.

This is one of the most fascinating and impressive symbols of the Gennargentu Mountains. The huge vertical walls are over 400 meters high; everyone should visit this place at least once. A very tiring adventure, but with enchanting panoramas and unique paths that show the spectacle offered by nature. For this excursion, it is advisable to take with you one or two liters of water, hiking shoes, comfortable clothes, and a lot of desire to walk through the various ascents and descents. It is advisable to book the ascent by Jeep; it costs 15 euros (well paid, since the desire to go up on foot is accompanied by zero physical strength).

How to get to Sardinia?

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean and has three international airports, which connect to other cities in Italy and other destinations across Europe.

1) How to get to Sardinia? BY TRAIN

The railway infrastructure in Sardinia covers a total of 400 km of lines, or about forty stations. The complementary network includes the Cagliari – Oristano – Macomer-Chilevani-Olbia line and the “Sarda ridge,” which crosses the entire island from north to south. The railway infrastructure of the region is: the Olbia – Olbia M.ma / Isla Blanca line, with a direct connection from Olbia to the sea; and the Porto Torres – Porto Torres Cristóvão Colombo line.

Did you know that Trenitalia is the leading Italian company dedicated to the management of rail transport? Read here “What is the difference of trains in Italy?“. Buy your ticket online in advance and save a lot, read the Post “How to buy a train ticket in Italy?“.

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2) How to get to Sardinia? BY PLANE

In Sardinia, there are six airports, as listed below:

Alghero-Fertilia Airport;
Cagliari-Elmas Airport;
Decimomannu Airport;
Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport;
Oristano-Fenosu Airport;
Tortolì Airport.

For those who choose the air, the main airports with regular flight services are three: Cagliari, on the south coast, is the main airport on the island and offers connections to the main Italian and European airports, with regular flight services. The airport is 7.5 km from the centre of Cagliari and is accessible via:

FS TRAIN, from Elmas to Cagliari Central Station in 9 minutes, costs €1.25.
RADIO TAXI, in 10 minutes to the city center.
ARST BUS, from the airport to Cagliari Central Station, Matteotti Square, every 30 minutes.
ON FOOT, along the bike path (both through the center and through Macchiareddu and Capoterra).

The other airports are Olbia on the northeast coast and Alghero on the northwest coast.

Also, read our posts about Airports in Italy:

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3) How to get to Sardinia? CONNECTIONS TO FERRIES

Connections with ferries are frequent in the summer; companies have lately been offering fast boats, which allow a trip of only 6 hours. Sardinia is accessible from all ports on the Italian mainland. The destinations in Sardinia are: Cagliari, Porto Torres, Olbia, Golfo d’Aranci (Olbia) and Arbatax. It is advisable to make a reservation in the summer! The reservation for the high season usually opens at the end of March, beginning of April.

Shipping companies to Sardinia:

Tirrenia (www.tirrenia.it ) Genua – Porto Torres; Olbia, Arbatax;
Civitavecchia – Olbia, Arbatax, Cagliari; Fiumicino – Golfo Aranci, Arbata;
Moby Lines (www.mobylines.it); Genua – Olbia; Livorno – Olbia;
Civitavecchia – Olbia; Corsica Ferries (www.corsica-ferries.it);
Livorno – Golfo Aranci;
Civitavecchia – Golfo Aranci; Grimaldi (Grande Navi Veloci, www.gnv.it); Genua – Porto Torres; Genua – Olbia.

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Conclusion

There are places where it is possible to rediscover oneself and rediscover the sense of time, a more natural dimension—places where the word “harmony” has a tangible and concrete meaning, where time takes on another dimension, where we can sharpen our senses, hitherto numb by the grey life of the city.

Travel along the pristine beaches, where you can still meet the inhabitants of the region, exchange a few words, and maybe even sit at the table as a guest to taste those delicacies that you only see in the places of origin. You can find all this and more on this wonderful island!