Beni benius, welcome to the heart of the Mediterranean in a magical place, rich in history and natural beauty. Get lost among the white sandy beaches, the crystal clear waters and the silent interior of the island, kingdom of the Mediterranean maquis, the flco and the mouflon, take advantage of the famous hospitality of the Sardinians. Welcome to Sardinia.
With its unspoilt beauty, Sardinia is one of the gems of Italy that conquers everyone with its golden sandy beaches, wild mountains, testimonies of the past and typical cuisine. Here is Sardinia in pills.
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This island offers a wide variety of unique experiences for all tastes. For adventure lovers there are outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, climbing, sailing and windsurfing and scuba diving. For those who love the sea, there are countless beautiful beaches, where you can swim and practice water sports.
Art lovers can visit the heritage of the past or the modern ones in the great museums of Cagliari and Nuoro. Or discover hidden treasures such as the museum dedicated to the sculptor Costantino Nivola in Oran or the Museo Civico Giovanni Marongiu in Cabras which houses among other finds some of the Giants of Mont’e Prama the majestic nuragic statues discovered not far from the country and whose large part is now exhibited in Cagliari.
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Where is Sardinia located?
Sardinia is located in the western Mediterranean, south of Corsica and north of Tunisia and is surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea to the east, the Sea of Sardinia to the west and the Strait of Bonifacio to the east.
With an area of over twenty-four thousand square kilometers, it is the second largest island in the Mediterranean, after Sicily.
The strategic position has made Sardinia an important reference point in the Mediterranean since ancient times and still today it represents a crossroads between different cultures and traditions.
Sardinia is divided into 5 provinces: Cagliari, Sassari, Nuoro, Oristano and South Sardinia. Cagliari is the capital and cultural center of Sardinia, while Sassari is the second largest city on the island and home to a famous university. Oristano and Nuoro are both medium-sized cities, both rich in history and culture. The province of South Sardinia, founded in 2016, brings together different identities, going from east to west and excluding from its perimeter the metropolitan city of Cagliari.
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The history of Sardinia: where do Sardinians come from?
Sardinia has been inhabited since ancient times by populations of farmers and shepherds who built the first fortified villages and developed a very advanced ceramic art.
Between the fourth and third millennium before Christ, the nuragic civilization spread, a people that left a wide cultural and archaeological heritage but no written testimony. They range from the more than one thousand cone-shaped stone towers built without the use of mortar and called Nuraghi, both single and grouped in real villages such as that of Barumini, to the sacred wells for water worship, above all that of Santa Cristina, near Paulilatino, from the rare geometric and astronomical perfection.
Over the centuries, Sardinia has been disputed by numerous civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans, who considered it a strategic province for the control of the Mediterranean.
In the Middle Ages, the island was conquered by the Vandals and then by the Byzantines, who ruled it until the arrival of the Judicates, a form of local government that developed in the eleventh century until the arrival of the Aragonese.
In the sixteenth century, it came under the rule of the Habsburgs, who ruled it until the end of the eighteenth century, when it was conquered by the French. In 1861, it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.
Today, the history of Sardinia is reflected in a unique and different culture, which is expressed in traditions, festivals, language, music and unique gastronomy.
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What to see and do in Sardinia? Beaches, archaeological sites and activities
Sardinia is a popular destination for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, but there is much more to see and do on the island. Here are some of the most interesting activities:
- Historical cities – Culture lovers can visit Cagliari, Alghero, Sassari and Oristano to immerse themselves in the history and culture of the area with many monuments and museums to visit.
- Archaeological sites – Sardinia is dotted with unique archaeological sites that are worth visiting, including the nuragic city of Barumini, the complex of tombs of the giants of Coddu Vecchiu in the municipality of Arzachena, the remains of the Roman city of Nora, the Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju in Alghero and the archaeological site of Tharros in Oristano. For lovers of trekking the village of Tiscali between the mountains of Oliena and Dorgali, the last secret refuge of nuragic culture discovered only in the ‘900 is a must.
- Nature – You can explore the varied and unspoilt nature of Sardinia. The island is rich in protected natural areas, such as the Archipelago of La Maddalena National Park, the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu National Park, the Molentargius-Saline Regional Natural Park and the Giara Regional Park of Gesturi. These parks offer the possibility of hiking, cycling or horseback riding, to admire the beauty of Sardinian nature.
- Beaches – Where to go on a beach holiday in Sardinia? As already mentioned, the island boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. The Costa Smeralda, with its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, is one of the most famous tourist destinations on the island. Do not miss the beach of Cala Mariolu in the Gulf of Orosei, the beach of Porto Giunco near Villasimius, the beach La Pelosa in Stintino and the incredible Beach of Is Arutas in the park of Sinis, made of white quartz instead of sand.
Sardinia and food and wine tourism
Sardinian cuisine is famous for its meat, fish and vegetable dishes, enriched with aromas and spices typical of the region. What is Sardinian cuisine famous for?
Among the most famous dishes are the carasau bread (thin and crispy bread) that becomes gout when it is dripped with oil and salted, porceddu (roasted suckling pig), fregula (a paste similar to couscous), burrida (a traditional fish soup made with blue fish), culurgiones (a pasta filled with potatoes, cheese and mint), malloreddus, typical pasta gnocchi, seadas (a cheese cake fried and served with honey). In addition, Sardinia is known for its cheeses, such as pecorino sardo and casu marzu, a fermented cheese made from pecorino.
Those who arrive on the island cannot help but taste the myrtle, that is a Sardinian liqueur served as a digestive based on myrtle berries, a plant that grows throughout the region.
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The Sardinian crafts
Sardinia is famous for its artisan tradition, which has ancient roots and has developed over the centuries thanks to the presence of quality raw materials, the creativity of artisans and traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation.
Among the most famous artisan productions there are the Sardinian carpets of Mogoro made by hand with sheep wool, the ceramics of Assemini, the traditional masks of Mamoiada, the filigree jewelers of Carloforte and the coral of Alghero.
The island is known for woodworking and wrought iron, which are used to create unique art and design objects.
Last but not least, Sardinia is famous for the processing of cork, a precious material for the beauty, strength and versatility used in many sectors, from construction to fashion.
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Culture and traditions of Sardinia
Sardinia is a region rich in history, culture and traditions. One of the most famous traditions is the feast of Sant’Efisio, which is celebrated on May 1 and represents one of the most important moments of the year for the Sardinian community. During the festival, held in Cagliari, the patron saint of the Sardinians is carried in procession along a path that touches various municipalities. This tradition has been uninterrupted since 1656.
In addition to the feast of Sant’Efisio, the island is known for its religious festivals, traditional dances and country festivals, such as the Carnival of Mamoiada, the Faradda di li candareri , the Sartiglia of Oristano and the Festival of the Redeemer in Nuoro.
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How to reach Sardinia
Sardinia is an island easily accessible from several Italian and European cities using different travel options.
By plane, the island can be reached via the airports of Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero that connect it with many Italian and European destinations.
You can reach Sardinia by ferry from the cities of Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples Palermo and Piombino with main destinations Cagliari, Olbia and Porto Torres.
The mild climate allows you to plan your trip from May to late October. Get ready for unforgettable colors and scents, welcome to Sardinia.
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