Top 10 Sights in Sardinia
Sardinia | Sardinia's highlightsApart from < A href = "https://www.sardinia4all.co.uk/most-beautiful-beaches-sardinia" target = "_blank" >white sandy beaches and emerald waters, there are numerous sights in Sardinia. Read our Top 10 and get ready to explore Sardinia's picturesque villages, beautiful landscapes, spectacular caves and archaeological sights during your vacation. Would you look to book one or more day trips in advance? Discover our unique excursions! |
Caves | Neptune's Grotto in SardiniaOne of Sardinia's absolute highlights is Neptune's Grotto in Alghero, a spectacular cave with stalactites and stalagmites on the tip of the peninsula of Capo Caccia in the Park of Porto Conte. The 204-metre-high cliffs and caves are only accessible via a boat trip of approximately 45 minutes from the port of Alghero. Alternatively, after a scenic route by car, you can descend the 654-step stairway cut into the cliff called “escala del cabirol” (goat’s steps) to visit the grotto. |
Nuraghe | Sardinia's pastSardinia is the land of the nuraghe. There are over 7000 remains of the Bronze Age in Sardinia. A nuraghe is an impressive megalithic edifice, developed during the Nuragic Age between 1900 and 730 BC. The sturdy structures consisting of layers of basalt blocks stand only by virtue of the weight of their stones. You can visit a very impressive one in Barumini under supervision of a (English speaking) guide; Nuraghe Su Nuraxi, dating back 3500 years. In 1997 it was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. |
La Maddalena| Sardinia's stunning archipelagoLa Maddalena consists of more than 60 islands, of which La Maddalena, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli are the biggest. From these islands only the main island La Maddalena is inhabited. The archipelago was designated a National Park, the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago di La Maddalena, in 1994. A ferry can bring you from Palau to La Maddalena in a mere 20 minutes. After the beaches, the principal tourist sight is the Casa Garibaldi on the island of Caprera, where the Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi spent the last 25 years of his life until he died in 1882. |
Cagliari | The capital of SardiniaA must see in Sardinia is of course Cagliari, the island's capital, where you can take a lovely stroll through the narrow alleys and historic quarters, enjoy a tasty meal in a typical "trattoria" and visit the numerous museums and sights. The oldest part of the town, the Castello, accessible via one of 2 gates (the San Pancrazio gate or the Porta dei Leoni) is located against a steep height, surrounded by the old city walls. The San Remy bastion offers a spectacular view across the marina, the beach and the surrounding villages. The “Cittadella dei Musei”, which used to be a repertory of arms, nowadays houses an archaeological museum, the museum of ethnology, a Pinacoteca and the National Museum. The city has a lovely broad sandy beach, called Il Poetto, of approximately 8 kilometres! |
Costa Smeralda | Sardinia's emerald coastThe worldly Porto Cervo constitutes the heart of the Costa Smeralda. Created by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV in the 60s and 70s, this Sardinian seaside resort is popular among both the national and the international jet set. In summer the elite resides in one of the luxurious resorts, villas or hotels or visits the boutiques near the central square. Other seaside resorts on the renowned Costa Smeralda are Poltu Quatu, Porto Rotonde, Cala di Volpe and Liscia di Vacca. Dating back to the 60s, Porto Vecchio (Old Harbour) is located on the south-east side. In summer this harbour fills with mega-yachts and sailing boats. The new harbour, intended for the international shipping traffic, is provided with modern equipment. The quays and embankments are privately owned by Porto Cervo, because of which all allowances for docking and other facilities have to be paid on site. |
Gennargentu | Authentic SardiniaDorgali, Oliena, Ollolai and Orgosolo are just a few of the traditional villages in the spectacular Gennargentu mountain range in central Sardinia. This beautiful area is a small paradise on earth for hikers. One of the highlights in the wooded area near Oliena is Sardinia's largest well; Su Gologone, an impressive spring where hundreds of litres of pure mineral water come gushing out of a crack in the rock. The spring flows into the Cedrino lake in Dorgali. The beautiful Lannaitu Valley, at a mere 7 kilometres from Su Gologone, is definitely worth a visit as well. This hiking area is dominated by the impressive calcareous massif of Mount Corrasi. From April to October you can book various unique excursions, such as a visit to Tiscali, the caves of Sa Ohe and the nuraghe village of Sa Sedda e Sos Carros. |
Iglesiente | Undiscovered south-west SardiniaThe south-west is a stunning yet fairly unknown area in Sardinia. A scenic route leads via Fluminimaggiore, known for the Su Mannau caves and the Antas Temple, to Buggeru, Nebida and Masua. En route you can enjoy the spectacular cliffs and rocks disappearing into the water. Don’t forget to take a photo (mental or otherwise) of the 133-metre-high calcareous crag “Pan di Zucchero”. In the small neighbouring province of Medio Campidano you can visit one of Europe's highest dunes in Piscinas by following the well-passable dirt road through the forest from Arbus past the ghost town of Ingurtosu. Another highlight is the Scivu beach. |
Sinis | Sardinia's heavenly peninsulaThe Sinis peninsula is located north-west of Oristano, in the eponymous Gulf. This pristine area in west Sardinia has not yet been discovered by mass tourism. Cabras is one of the most important fishing villages here, renowned for the production of the Sardinian specialty “bottarga”; pressed and salted mullet roe, served in slices on bread or grated over pastas together with olive oil and garlic. The fish swim back every year to the lagoon, the "stagno" of Cabras, to reproduce. Cabras and Santa Giusta, south of Oristano, are both known because of the crafted wicker boats, called "is fassonis". |
Tombe dei Giganti | Mysterious SardiniaNumerous prehistoric remains are scattered across the entire island, not only the well-known nuraghe, but also many tombes. Each tomb was a megalithic gallery grave, which explains its name; "Tomba dei Giganti" (Giants' tombes). Besides its function as a cemetery it was also used as a temple site where sacrifices were offered. One of the most complete Giants' tombes, Coddu Vecchiu, is located 4 kilometres south of Arzachena, close to the Domus de Janas and nuraghe Albucciu. There are two more interesting archaeological sites in this area, the Tomba dei Giganti di Li Lolghi and Necropoli di Li Muri, which is considered the prime example in the Gallura region. |
Natural pools | Hidden gems in SardiniaA spontaneous dive in a natural swimming pool in a pristine area? Sardinia4all was happy to test various pools for you! |
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