Sardinia is completely different... A lovely space around an individual, and distances to be covered, nothing finished, nothing definitive. It’s like freedom itself... lost between Europe and Africa and belonging to nowhere.
D.H. Lawrence, from "Sea and Sardinia"
If you manage to take some time off and spend some days in Sardinia, here is a very short list of possible things to do and places to visit. The weather in May is usually nice and perhaps you will have a chance to swim in the Mediterranean, but there’s much more than the sea in Sardinia!
Dorgali, Cala Gonone and nearby
Around Alghero
Around Olbia
Around Cagliari
A typical Sardinian sight: nuraghi
Dorgali, Cala Gonone and nearby
The tourist offer has grown exponentially in this area in the last years, and it is now possible to do activities such as trekking, kayaking, free climbing, boat trips in the Gulf of Orosei and much more. Have a look at the website of Cooperativa Ghivine to get a better picture!
Gulf of Orosei, August 2009
Do not miss:
A boat trip to visit the Gulf of Orosei and the Bue Marino caves.
Trekking in the area known as Supramonte di Dorgali, which includes the nuragic ruins of Tiscali and is part of the Gennargentu national park.
Trekking with a view on the sea between Cala Fuili and Cala Luna (two hours and a half, returning by boat from Cala Luna).
On the inside of the island, you should visit Orgosolo to get a glimpse of Barbagia and see the murales adorning the streets and the houses.
For the brave among you (and we know who you are), there is a chance to organise a free climbing expedition in the Gulf of Orosei, including the famous Sinfonia dei Mulini a Vento, apparently one of the hardest climbing paths in Italy, close to the beautiful Cala Goloritzé.
More to the south, the "little green train" (Trenino Verde) goes from Arbatax to Mandas (or viceversa) and crosses one of the wildest areas of the island.
If the weather is nice, and we hope it will be, the best beaches are reachable by boat from Cala Gonone (especially Cala Luna and Cala Goloritzé) or by car for Cartoe and Osalla, where you can sip a bottle of Ichnusa, the local beer, and watch the world go by.
Around Alghero
Alghero, or L’Alguer in catalan, is a true seaside town, a rarity in Sardinia despite the 1900 kilometers of coasts. Take a stroll in the city harbour and in the "centro storico" to get a glimpse of life in Alghero.
Alghero-Bosa coast road, May 2005
Do not miss:
A visit to the Nettuno caves, which can be reached by boat from the marina of Alghero. The brave among you could also try to reach the caves on foot by walking the 656 steps of the Escala del Cabirol stairway.
The island of Asinara, one of the most important Italian high security prisons that has now become a national park. Access is limited so do book in advance!
The necropolis of Anghelu Ruju, one of the biggest and oldest in Sardinia. For those more interested in fine wine than in archeology, the Sella & Mosca vineyards are a little further on the same road :)
The coast road between Alghero and Bosa. This is the ideal route to roll the car windows down, breathe some pure sea air and enjoy the scenery. If you have two wheels rather than four, try to respect the speed limits, if you can :)
The peninsula of Stintino boasts one of the top beaches in Sardinia, La Pelosa.
Around Olbia
If you arrive in Olbia, you can either go north to discover the luxurious Costa Smeralda or head straight to the south and visit the area around su Gologone and the Gulf of Orosei.
Maddalena archipelago, August 2009
Do not miss:
To the north near the town of Palau, the Maddalena archipelago is a national park featuring crystal clear waters and wind blown granite coastlines.
The region around Olbia, known as Gallura, produces a renowned white wine called Vermentino, the only Sardinian DOCG wine. You can visit all the main production sites in a day tour that will end in Monti, the capital of Vermentino.
Around Cagliari
Cagliari is Sardinia’s capital, its biggest town and a huge question mark for me (we Nuoresi do not get along with those southerners down there). Jokes aside, there are plenty of things to do and see in the city and in the province of Cagliari.
Cagliari, panorama.
Do not miss:
The town of Cagliari, in particular the historic districts of Castello and Marina, which are linked by the Bastion of Saint Remy.
Along the southern coast, Santa Margherita di Pula and Chia have splendid beaches and some historical sights to offer, in particular the ruins of Nora.
A little more to the west, the island of San Pietro and its capital Carloforte, where you will be able to eat fresh tuna and listen to Sardinians speaking the dialect of Genova :)
The coast between Buggerru and Piscinas features a sleeve of abandoned mines and breath-taking landscapes in Nebida, Masua, Montevecchio and Ingurtosu. By all means do not miss the sand dunes of Piscinas! For the romantic souls, a night at Hotel Le Dune is an unforgettable experience :)
A typical Sardinian sight: nuraghi
You will certainly come across a nuraghe when travelling around Sardinia. The purpose of these conical stone towers built around 3000 years ago is still unclear, but they could have been religious temples, ordinary dwellings, rulers’ residences, military strongholds, meeting halls, or a combination.
Nuraghe Santa Sabina, Silanus, August 2004
Do not miss:
The most important complex is Su Nuraxi in Barumini, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
Nuraghe Santu Antine in Torralba, one of the biggest and best preserved.
The nuraghes in Silanus, of course!