Provinces: Cagliari, Nuoro, Oristano, Sassari
An island located to the west of mainland Italy. Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean. The island of Sardinia is located in the middle of the Western Mediterranean, just 12 km from Corsica. You will find that the Sardinian coasts are usually high and rocky, and in several areas run straight. The coastal outline is still varied by more articulated sections, with promontories and large bays surrounded by inlets.
Sardinia would be considered a postcard Mediterranean island paradise. The area will provide something for almost everyone, from great sandy beaches and clear blue seas, archeological remains stately mountains and a pulsating, autonomous culture that is passed through to its art, lifestyle, and cuisine.
Sardinia is less discovered and visited their neighbor to the south, Sicily.
Sardinia Hotels
Sardinia is home to some of the most exclusive hotels in the world. All of the large hotel groups such as le meridian and Forte are present on the island but there are also an enormous amount of privately owned hotels available for visitors. The fact that so many hotels in Sardinia are privately owned means that the level of service and quality is always at the highest level.
Sardinia Food & Drink
When eating out in Sardinia your choices are many. The traditional food of the island tends to be meat orientated such as roast suckling pig and pasta with a sausage ragu. You can find numerous restaurants that serve a traditional Sardinian menu but you may wish to also take a look at agriturismos. For those visitors that enjoy their seafood then as you can imagine Sardinia has its fair share of seafood restaurants. Why don’t you try Lobster Catalan style in Alghero or some freshly caught grilled sardines. The wines of Sardinia are quickly becoming recognized as some of the finest in Europe. Traditional methods and a good climate see some extremely good wines being produces on the island.
Sardinia Activities
Sardinia is awash with things to do both inland and on the coast. With its natural rustic beauty, Sardinia is the perfect environment to take part in various sporting activities.
Known mainly for its coastline it is very easy to forget that Sardinia has some of the most spectacular inland scenery in Europe. This vast mountainous terrain allows for a number of sporting activities such as mountain biking and rock climbing to mention but a few. To discuss sporting activities in Sardinia and not mention water sports would not be possible. A mixture of crystal clear seas and a fantastic climate make Sardinia the perfect place to practice all forms of water sports. Go diving amongst the coral in Alghero or sailing off the Emerald coast, the choice is yours.
Cagliari, Italy
Cagliari is the key harbor and one of the gateways to Sardinia. Spotted with Pisan towers and a Spanish castle, Cagliari has other Spanish footprints, such as its flower-lined patios, decorated with ceramics similar to the Portuguese azulejos. When you visit, take time to explore, discover and take a walk in the Castello neighborhood in the old town and visit the Cathedral. Near the Cathedral are the former City Hall, the Palazzo del Vicerè, and the Archbishop’s Palace.
Sassari, Italy – Travel & Tourism
Sassari is Sardinia’s 2nd largest city. The key monumental buildings would include the St. Nicholas Church, Palazzo Ducale, Piazza Italia and the Rosello Fountain. The Palazzo Ducale was built at the end of the 18th century by Antonio Manca, the marquise of Mores and duke of Asinara. The Rosello Fountain dates back to the 17th Century, a period without aqueducts.
Alghero, Italy
At the bottom of Via Umberto stands the 16-century Cathedral, where Spanish viceroys stopped to receive an introduction oath before taking office in Cágliari. Outside the old city center or quarter, most of the tourist goings-on take place in the port area. A great place for children and adults alike, Alghero is definitely worth a visit.
Oristano, Italy
When in this area, try to find time to explore the Duomo of Santa Maria and Eleonora D’Arborea’s house. This building is located in Parpaglia Street, where the city’s oldest and traditional inn is located. Discover and explore the St. Francis church, completely rebuilt in the neo-classical style. Inside, left of the altar is the famous Nicodemo’s crucifix. Oristano houses the important Antiquarium Arborense Museum, with its many discoveries from the Nuraghic and Roman Ages. Other interesting monuments in the historic center include the church of St. Dominic, the church of St. Clare and the Chiesa del Carmine.
Oristano is located on a plain not far from the west coast of Sardinia, the nearest beach is Torre Grande, a long stretch of fine white sand with many tourist facilities at hand. The lovers of historical places will enjoy visiting Oristano, with its historical buildings and many Churches in a mixture of Styles, mainly Baroque. There are many architectonic elements related to the Middle Ages, such as historic remains of the town walls in Piazza Roma. The San Cristoforo Tower was once an entrance to the city and called Porta Manna.
Not to be missed the house of Eleonora d’Arborea that was turned into a museum, the town hall, built in the Scolopi’s monastery, in Piazza Eleonora d’Arborea and St. Francis church, completely rebuilt in the neo-classical style by the architect Gaetano Cima in the XIX Century. Inside, to the left of the altar, is the famous Nicodemo’s crucifix, the most important example of a Spanish gothic sculpture in Sardinia. Other interesting monuments in the historic center include the church of St. Dominic, the church of St. Clare (building in Gothic style dating back to 1345 and recently restored) and the church of Carmine. This is a beautiful example of baroque-Piedmont architecture, designed by the architect Giuseppe Viana between 1766 and 1785.
The territory of Oristano is scattered with prehistoric monuments and sanctuaries, in the City itself the Antiquarium Arborense Museum, houses the numerous findings from the Nuragic and Roman Ages that come from the ancient
Phoenician cities of Tharros and Cornus. Those fortunate tourists to be around during the carnival celebrations will assist to one of the most dramatic and traditional festivals in Sardinia, Sa Sartiglia, which is an equestrian tournament infused with many symbols and colors. The area also offers a good assortment of restaurants where to enjoy the typical food based mainly on fish and seafood, but also wood-roasted meat.
Maddalena Islands, Italy
These islands are to be found inside the Straits of Bonifacio along the north-eastern coast of Sardinia and can be reached by ferry from Palau in approximately 15 minutes. La Maddalena Island is surrounded by Budelli, Caprera, Razzoli, Santa Maria, Santo Stefano, and Spargi. The people who inhabit these islands trace their roots back to old historical times.
Budelli is famous for its pink colored sand that is a result of the coral be split and shattered by the sea. Today, it is a highly protected island. The best mooring places are the almost deserted little beach of Cala d’Arena and the Spiaggia Rosa.
Caprera, this island has been decreed to be a nature reserve for a certain type of seabird that is found to live on the island. You can visit Garibaldi’s house which is now a museum and memorial chapel. La Maddalena: the largest island. It is formed in a triangular shape of usually high and jagged coasts. It contains rich vegetation of berry trees and cysts. This is an ideal place to take a well-deserved vacation.
Gennargentu contains a variety of rugged mountains. The main economic profile of the area is sheep raising and the harvesting of wood from the forest.