Things To Do & Places To See in Sardinia
Visiting Sardinia begins in Cagliari — Sardinia's ancient capital city and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Mediterranean world, with a history stretching back to Phoenician and Roman times. A walking tour of Cagliari's old town with a knowledgeable local guide is one of the most rewarding Sardinia tour experiences — discover the ancient city walls, the beautiful cathedral, and the Saint Remy Bastion with its panoramic views over the city. A day trip from Cagliari to Nora — Sardinia's most important ancient archaeological site, a Phoenician and Roman city spectacularly located on a peninsula above the sea — is one of the most extraordinary ancient history excursions on any Sardinia tour. The Su Nuraxi nuragic complex near Barumini — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest nuragic monument in all of Sardinia — is another essential ancient Sardinia excursion, exploring the extraordinary 3,500-year-old stone towers that have survived since prehistoric times. Alghero is Sardinia's most charming seaside city — a beautifully preserved medieval city famous for its Catalan Gothic architecture, ancient city walls, excellent local cuisine and local wines, and the extraordinary Neptune Caves just 20 minutes away by boat.
Bosa is another extraordinary Sardinia town — a beautifully colorful medieval city on the Temo river in western Sardinia, famous for its Malvasia wine, ancient Castello Malaspina, and charming streets of painted houses. San Salvatore is a fascinating Sardinia destination — a western frontier-style ghost town built as a film set for Italian western movies, located near the famous beaches of Cabras and home to an ancient sacred well dating back to the nuragic civilization. The Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) of northern Sardinia is one of the most glamorous and beautiful coastlines in all of Europe — a stretch of turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and secluded coves developed in the 1960s by the Aga Khan. Porto Cervo is the jewel of the Costa Smeralda — a glamorous harbour town of exclusive boutiques, superyachts, and extraordinary beaches. Porto Rotondo is another beautiful Costa Smeralda destination with a beautiful piazzetta and easy access to Sardinia's most pristine beaches. A day trip to the La Maddalena archipelago — a national park of extraordinary islands, turquoise waters, white sand beaches, sea caves, and hidden coves just off the northern tip of Sardinia near Palau and Santa Teresa di Gallura — is one of the most popular Sardinia tours excursions.
Orgosolo is one of Sardinia's most extraordinary and unusual towns — a mountain village in the Barbagia region famous for its hundreds of political murals covering the walls of the town, offering a completely different and deeply authentic Sardinian culture experience far from the Costa Smeralda's luxury hotels. Cala Gonone is a beautiful seaside village on Sardinia's east coast — the gateway to the spectacular Golfo di Orosei, accessible only by boat and famous for its extraordinary sea caves, crystal clear waters, and pristine beaches. A boat excursion from Cala Gonone to the sea caves and beaches of the Golfo di Orosei is one of the most extraordinary outdoor activities on any Sardinia tour — discovering hidden coves, rugged cliffs, and turquoise waters where you can swim and snorkel in unspoiled Mediterranean nature. La Pelosa Beach near Stintino in northwestern Sardinia is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in all of Italy — a shallow bay of impossibly turquoise waters, white sand, and a medieval tower rising from the sea, with views across to the island of Asinara. Swimming at La Pelosa Beach in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean is one of the most wonderful experiences that Sardinia offers to its guests.