Sitting pretty between Spain, Tunisia, the French Riviera and the Italian mainland, Sardinia is one amongst Europe’s most alluring Mediterranean getaways. With its splendid white sands and translucent turquoise waters, the island is justifiably famed as a seaside trip trip spot – however it’s properly worth digging deeper to seek out Sardinia’s strolling trails, metropolis factors of curiosity and distinctive cultural heritage.
1. Cagliari
Most interesting for metropolis pleasure
Sardinia’s capital and largest metropolis makes an essential place to begin or end your journey. Stroll through the slim lanes of Il Castello, Cagliari’s medieval hilltop citadel, to admire the dizzying combination of architectural sorts at Cattedrale di Santa Maria and the far-reaching views atop Torre dell’Elefante. Get a extremely really feel for Sardinia’s multi-layered historic previous on the magnificent Museo Archeologico Nazionale, then ogle the work on the Galleria Comunale d’Arte.
For purchasing, consuming and nightlife, head for the bustling Marina district down by Cagliari’s palm-fringed waterfront. For those who’re ready for one factor further tranquil, get away to the fountains and gardens of the Orto Botanico, or hop a bus out to the sweeping sands of Poetto Seaside.
2. Gulf of Orosei
Most interesting for dramatic coastlines and scenic boat journeys
With limestone escarpments plunging headlong into the glowing Mediterranean, the Golfo di Orosei is one amongst Europe’s most dramatic coastal areas. The meeting of land and sea proper right here is so abrupt that the gulf’s most interesting seashores, akin to Cala Mariolu, are accessible solely by boat or foot. In all probability probably the most straightforward possibility to find this stretch of coast is on a ship tour from the holiday resort of Cala Gonone, which might take you dipping in and out of caves and coves all day, with ample options to sunbathe and swim.
Hikers with the stamina to find extra shall be richly rewarded by one amongst Sardinia’s most fascinating coastal path networks, extending south of Orosei from Cala Luna to Cala Sisine. For climbing fanatics, the ultimate phrase prize is Selvaggio Blu, a multi-day route that takes you up cliff faces into idyllic seaside landscapes that few vacationers ever see.
Planning tip: For a demanding nevertheless unforgettable all-day hike, catch an early boat to Cala Sisine, then hike the 12km one-way once more up the coast to Cala Gonone, pausing midway for the obligatory {photograph} op at Arco di Lupiru, a big pure stone arch .
3. Archipelago of the Maddalena
Most interesting for island hopping
Sprinkled all through the placid seas of northeastern Sardinia is that this beautiful archipelago, preserved since 1994 as a nationwide park. From the tiny coastal resort of Palau, small boat operators present island-hopping day journeys to look at dolphins and uncover distant seashores, whereas ferry boats make the 15-minute crossing to the archipelago’s two largest islands, Maddalena and Caprera.
For an easygoing Mediterranean buzz, wander the pedestrianized Via XX Settembre in La Maddalena’s historic center and pause for an aperitivo (aperitif) all through the night time passeggiata (stroll). By day, head 7km east all through the causeway to the Compendio Garibaldino, the sprawling former property of Italy’s nationwide hero Giuseppe Garibaldi; afterward, stop in for a swim at Due Mari or Spiaggia del Relitto.
4. Supramonte
Most interesting for mountaineering
Hikers will adore the Supramonte, a rugged limestone massif punctuated by deep gorges and distant valleys, and crisscrossed by spectacular strolling trails. Merely south of Dorgali, the 8km spherical journey hike to Gola Su Goroppu passes through a captivating valley good for swimming or riverside picnicking, then abruptly narrows proper right into a spectacular gorge the place you can boulder-hop upstream between sheer, polychrome cliffs.
Equally evocative is the shut by hike to the prehistoric village of Tiscali, whose stone partitions and ruined edifices slumber under the shade of holm oak and turpentine bushes, embraced by the collapsed stays of a big cave that after served as a mountaintop lookout for Bronze Age Sardinians . Followers of distant seashores should switchback as a lot because the Altopiano del Golgo north of Baunei to hike the Cala Goloritzé path, which drops dramatically to a pristine cove presided over by a dagger-shaped rock.
Planning tip: To avoid the tour boats at Cala Goloritzé, hit the trail early throughout the morning, when the local weather’s cooler and in addition you’ll have the seaside largely to your self.
5.Alghero
Most interesting for {{couples}}
Gazing west all through the Mediterranean within the path of Spain, charming Alghero feels equal components Iberian and Sardinian. City’s official language is Catalan, whereas its golden-hued Sixteenth-century ramparts hearken once more to the occasions of Aragonese rule. Climb the Campanile subsequent to the cathedral for panoramic views of the cobbled streets and Gothic palazzi of the historic center, backed by the shimmering waters of the Riviera del Corallo.
To completely acknowledge Alghero’s easygoing trip vibe, take an early night time stroll alongside the Sea Partitions, framed by a trio of picturesque towers and lined with open-air restaurant terraces; at sunset, it’s the correct spot to look at the world go by over a bottle of Vermentino and a plate of aragosta alla catalana (lobster with olive oil, tomatoes, onions and lemon juice).
6. Barbagia
Most interesting for standard Sardinian custom
The rugged hill nation south of Nuoro was the ultimate Sardinian outpost to be conquered by the Romans, incomes it the title Barbagia (akin to “barbarian”). Historic traditions nonetheless persist throughout the space’s festivals, most notably mid-January’s Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate, when bonfires illuminate the village streets of Mamoiada and masked males draped in sheepskins and cowbells parade through metropolis.
In case you miss the first event, Mamoiada’s Museo delle Maschere Mediterranee is the following smartest factor, with fabulous reveals of masks, costumes and video footage. The shut by village of Orgosolo is one different fascinating place to find. Seize a multi-lingual audio info on the vacationer office and head for Corso Repubblica to find Orgosolo’s very good assortment of 200 murals depicting a wide range of political and historic themes.
Planning tip: Fall is one different nice time to go to Barbagia; all through the Autunno in Barbagia competitors (September to December), the realm’s villages invite visitors to seek out native cultural and culinary traditions.
7. Nuraghe Su Nuraxi
Most interesting for historic previous
Sardinia’s abundance of prehistoric archaeological web sites, commonly known as nuraghipresent a captivating glimpse of the island’s prehistory. In case you solely have time to go to at least one, set your sights on Nuraghe Su Nuraxi, about an hour north of Cagliari. The 4 conical towers that after dominated the panorama have been worn down by time, however it’s easy to conjure up visions of the Bronze Age village that after stood proper right here as you clamber down stone steps and navigate slim passageways. The positioning’s centerpiece is an imposing 18m-high tower fragment surrounded by a spherical courtyard with partitions as a lot as 7m thick.
Planning tip: To seek out Sardinia’s lots of of others nuraghiuncover the map at Nurnet.
8. Parco Nazionale dell’Asinara
Most interesting for wildlife
Secluded off Sardinia’s northwestern tip, the Parco Nazionale dell’Asinara is an island oasis the place nature nonetheless tips the roost. Albino donkeys, wild boar and silky-haired mouflon sheep prowl through the maquis (Mediterranean scrub), whereas peregrine falcons soar overhead and loggerhead turtles ply the surrounding waters. Entry is restricted to day trippers solely; to benefit from the island’s untrammed seashores and granite coves, catch an early ferry from Porto Torres or sail all through on a catamaran from the summer season season resort of Stintino, the place you’ll be able to even lounge on the dreamy sands of Spiaggia della Pelosa.
