Why visit Sardinia?
If you’re interested in swimming and lounging, the Sardinian coast boasts almost 2,000 km of beaches, cliffs and sublime coves. The beaches of southern Sardinia are historically less touristy than those in the north, but just as beautiful. The west coast is one of the wildest, and the east coast boasts some of the most beautiful coves.
But Sardinia isn’t just about the sea. There are towns and historic sites that bear witness to the fascinating history of this Italian island. Barbagia, for example, one of the island’s wildest inland regions, is well worth a visit.
Below you’ll find a guide to what to do and see in Sardinia, the places to visit (and we’ve included a few names of secret beaches at the end of the article).
Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia
Cagliari is a city built on seven limestone hills, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. It is relatively compact and can be visited on foot or by public transport in one or two days. Strolling through Cagliari, you’ll discover :
- The urban jungle of Villanova, with its narrow streets lined with flowers and plants ;
- The colorful, multicultural Marina district, where you can savor the aromas of different cuisines from around the world;
- The large limestone rocks of the Saint-Rémy bastion, one of the town’s landmarks (climb up to the panoramic terrace for a great view of the whole town).
Cagliari’s main attractions include the underground Karalis of the Sant’Eulalia church, the crypts of the Stampace district, the National Archaeological Museum, the cathedral, the Roman amphitheatre and Via Roma.
Sardinian cities: visit Olbia
Olbia is a fairly large city, full of things to do and see, an industrial town that at the same time preserves a long history linked to archaeology and the many discoveries that have been made over time. For culture buffs, its historic center is rich in Romanesque features and monuments from the “giudicale” period. Get lost in the streets of Olbia, which are just waiting to be discovered.
Things to do in sardinia: discover the nuraghes
Among the things to visit in Sardinia, we recommend the Nuraghe Valley. These are wide valleys in the heart of the province of Sassari: a Nuraghe is a round tower in the shape of a truncated cone. Thanks to favorable environmental and climatic factors, this area was the center of an important Nuraghic civilization. The most impressive Nuraghe is that of Santu Antine, in the municipality of Torralba, which was probably the stronghold of the entire Nuragic system in the region. Dating from the 15th century BC, its grandeur will leave you speechless.
The Sant’Andrea Priu necropolis, with its impressive chief’s tomb, is also located in this vast valley. Don’t miss the Nuraghe Ruju and Nuraghe Culzu, as well as the evocative Su Crastu Covaccadu dolmen. A place full of charm and mystery, helping us to understand the ancient origins of an extraordinary land filled with mysteries that remain unsolved to this day.
Among the places to visit, don’t miss the Tomb of the Giants.
Sardinia has a very ancient history, largely linked to the nuragic civilization mentioned above. Nuraghi (houses) and nuragic tombs are scattered all over the island. These prehistoric monuments date back over 4,000 years. They are called Giants’ Tombs because, according to legend, huge bones were found inside them.
The structure of the Tombes des Géants is highly unusual: the exterior is made up of stones set vertically into the ground and arranged in a semicircle, reminiscent of the shape of a bull’s horns. Seen from above, it’s reminiscent of both a bull’s snout and a woman’s womb. For the Nuragics, the bull symbolized male divinity and was therefore a symbol of strength and power, while the female reproductive organ symbolized birth.
The Tombs of the Giants are numerous in the region of Sardinia between Olbia and Arzachena. Near the Costa Smeralda, there are three tombs:
- Coddu Vecchiu’s
- La Prisgiona
- And those of Capichera and Li Lolghi.
The Maddalena Archipelago, one of Sardinia’s most beautiful sites
In northern Sardinia, there are countless things to see, but you won’t want to miss a visit to the Maddalena archipelago. This paradise is made up of a total of 62 islands, only two of which are inhabited. In fact, the two largest islands are La Maddalena and Caprera, on which two small towns are located.
However, on all the islands of the archipelago, you’ll find fabulous sea, beaches and coves where you can dive and swim. These are just some of the things to see in northern Sardinia. The most famous beaches are Spiaggia Rosa and Cala Spalmatore, but the others are just as beautiful! The main island can be reached from the nearby port of Palau, but the best way to enjoy this enchanting place is to take a schooner cruise.
Must-sees: Sardinia’s most beautiful beaches
Beaches are Sardinia’s strong point. There are windy ones with high dunes covered in Mediterranean scrub, and sheltered ones with calm, transparent water that resembles a swimming pool. Here you’ll find some of the most secret beaches.
The beaches of Piscinas
In the province of Carbonia Iglesias, we recommend the beaches of Piscinas and those of San Pietro Island (the latter, a little more crowded, is not to be missed). These beaches offer a wild atmosphere thanks to the huge windswept dunes. The remains of abandoned mines just a few meters from the sea give the environment a melancholy and fascinating hue that should be seen at least once in your life!
La Cala Cipolla
The wildest beach in the Bay of Chia is Cala Cipolla, which can be reached on foot from Su Giudeu.
La Cala Corsara
In the Maddalena archipelago, mentioned above, the beaches are almost all wild. We recommend Cala Corsara, on the south coast of the island of Spargi.
La Cala Domestica
Cala Domestica is a beautiful beach in Buggerru (province of Carbonia-Iglesias) from which, via a path that used to be an old mining tunnel, you can reach the more intimate and solitary Caletta. Both are surrounded by wilderness.
