The 10 things to do in Sardinia

Visit Sardinia: what to do and see on the Mediterranean island that is still too unknown?

Most people know the Italian island of Sicily, but not everyone knows the other big island off the coast of Sicily. Italy . Sardinia Sardegna in Italian) is located west of the peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of the Corse . Since Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island, Sardinia remains much less visited, and it seemed wise to introduce you to the best things to see and visit of the island.

Located between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Sardinia Sea, Sardinia is a region of Italy. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, the beauty of the island is breathtaking and its Costa Smeralda (Côte d’Emeraude) is a favorite holiday place for celebrities.

The coast is most often high and rocky and is surrounded by several small islands such as Asinara, the archipelago of Maddalena, Tavolara, San Pietro and Sant’Antioco. The region is also known for its mountainous and rugged landscapes. There are Roman vestiges, as well as unique archaeological remains called "Nuraghi" (nuraghes). They date before the Romans and no one knows what they were serving in their time.

So... what to do in Sardinia ? Discover our 10 ideas of visits to the island!

1. Visit one of the 7,000 Nuraghi Island

Nuraghes ( Nuraghi in Italian) are stone constructions in the form of a hive or cone dating from the bronze age, which is mainly found in Sardinia. The exact use of these structures is unknown, but many believe that they were used as religious temples, or military bastions. The best known Nuraghe is Su Nuraxi of Barumini, which was classified site of World Heritage by UNESCO . The town of Barumini is located about 60 kilometers north of the sarde capital Cagliari.

2. Sardinian beaches

It is said that Sardinia has the most beautiful beaches throughout the Mediterranean. Beaches like those next to Cala Gonone , Li Coggi, or those more touristic of the Costa Smeralda appear constantly in the top of the rankings of the "best beaches of the world" of international magazines and travel sites. However, the most amazing beach is La Pelosa, near Stintino, about 50 kilometres north of Alghero Airport. Usually, the small town of Stintino has only 1200 inhabitants, but this number is much higher during the summer, when thousands of Sardes and tourists come to visit these beautiful beaches.

3. Capture Wildlife Photos in Sardinia

Like many other islands, Sardinia has a very rich and unique fauna. None of the animals that live on or near Sardinia are dangerous, so you can explore the island without fear. Unique species of deer and fox live in woods and mountains, while different types of birds, including Pinson of trees and the pink flamingo, visit the island every year in large numbers. The mediterranean monk seal and turtles live in the Sardinian waters, and the common whale can be spotted near the shores fairly regularly.

4. La Maddalena Archipelago

The Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Di La Maddalena is a national park in the north of Sardinia. During the clearest days, you can see the coast of Corsica from the northernmost island of La Maddalena, Isola Razzoli. This archipelago, which most islands are accessible only by boat, offers a preserved nature, superb views, friendly people, and almost everything you need to feel completely away from this world.

5. The Bastion of Saint Remy

The capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, was built on seven hills. The oldest part of the city, district Castello , is at the top of one of these hills, offering stunning views of the Gulf of Cagliari, or Golfo degli Angeli . Dude Bastione di Saint Remy , which was built with white limestone typical of the region, you can see most other areas of Cagliari, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. When you reach the top of the bastion, the beautiful Romanesque cathedral of Cagliari is accessible on foot, making the climb even more interesting.

6. Porto Cervo

The Costa Smeralda, in the northeast of Sardinia, is the favorite holiday destination for celebrities. Since Prince Karim Aga Khan visited this area in the 1960s, many celebrities have chosen the Emerald Coast to spend their holidays. This makes the search for a cheap hotel during the relatively difficult summer months, but there is a lot to see when you walk along the shore.

In the marina of Porto Cervo, you can admire yachts whose value exceeds several million euros.

7. Observe the vestiges of the Roman civilization in Nora or Tharros

If you are planning to make archaeological discoveries, rather than baver in front of luxury yachts, it is possible too. In Tharros, near Oristano, to the west, or Nora, near Pula, in the south, you can still see what the Romans left behind two thousand years ago. Both sites are open-air museums, allowing you to walk through ancient Roman streets, while observing ruins, columns and thermal baths. Tharros and Nora are located near the sea, which makes the visit all the more interesting because you can sting a head and refresh yourself.

8. Taste local cuisine and drinks

As with any trip, you must absolutely taste local food. Sardinian cuisine is characterized by very strong flavours, as with the Cannonau , local wine, which is the perfect example. The Pane carasau (known for his finesse), the Porcheddu (a young pig frequently watered), and Culurgiones (paste stuffed with cheese pecorino , mint and other ingredients) are part of the traditional dishes of Sardinia. The liqueur Filu ‘e ferru is also to be tested. In Cagliari and throughout the island, restaurants to discover local gastronomy are legion.

9. Sard mines

Long mining history of Sardinia probably started around the 6th millennium BC, which means that mining has played an important role in the history of the island. The small village of Ingurtosu, alongside Montevecchio, was one of the most important mining regions in Sardinia, until the middle of the last century. To avoid abandoning this region, UNESCO has decided to declare it a world heritage. Many old mining facilities have been renovated, restored or even transformed into a hotel, or are open to sightseeing, making this region an attractive place for travellers and culture lovers wishing to avoid mass tourism.

10. Other ideas of visits to Sardinia

• Visit the Museum of Life and Popular Traditions in Nuoro
• Always in Nuoro, participate in the Festa del Redentore (Feast of the Redeemer) on the last Sunday of August
• Visit Sassari, the second city of Sardinia
• Go to the island of Caprera, known for having been, for more than twenty years, the ultimate residence of Giuseppe Garibaldi.
• The beautiful colorful houses of Castelsardo
• Try kitesurfing in Isola dei Gabbiani

How to go to Sardinia?

Getting to Sardinia is easy from France and Italy, by boat or by plane. You can book your tickets directly on the internet. Low-cost airlines such as Transavia, Ryanair or easyJet serve the island. If you want to fly, you can search for a cheap flight on the flight comparison Ulysses . Ferries depart from Toulon, Marseille Nice or Genoa and go to Porto Torres, Olbia or Cagliari. You can book your ferry online for Sardinia on the site DirectFerries .

How to get around in Sardinia?

Like any island, it is difficult to see everything without being free in its journeys. It is therefore highly recommended to come with its own car or motorcycle (by ferry), or to rent a car in your arrival city. You can compare car rental prices in Sardinia on the website Rentalcars .

Where to sleep in Sardinia?

To visit the Sardinia as a whole, whether you wanted to stay the feet in the water or in the main cities of the island, the ideal is to read our detailed article to find out in which city to sleep in Sardinia . You can also use this Compare hotels .

Have you visited Sardinia?

Main photo credit: Wikimedia – Manuel Bierbauer