Europe Up Close

  • Home
  • About
    • Writers
    • Contact
  • Travel Gear
  • UNESCO Bucket List Challenge
  • Work with us
  • EuropeUpClose - Europe Travel Blog that helps you plan your next Europe vacation
prev next
  • Travel Tips
    • Beyond Europe
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Caribbean
    • General Tips
    • Money Matters
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Health and Safety
  • Top Cities
    • Amsterdam
    • Athens
    • Berlin
    • Dublin
    • Edinburgh
    • London
    • Madrid
    • Paris
    • Prague
    • Rome
  • Western Europe
    • Belgium
    • Channel Islands
    • England
    • France
    • Ireland
    • Luxembourg
    • Monaco
    • Northern Ireland
    • Scotland
    • The Netherlands
    • Wales
  • Central Europe
    • Austria
    • Czech Republic
    • Germany
    • Hungary
    • Liechtenstein
    • Poland
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
    • Switzerland
  • Northern Europe
    • Denmark
    • Estonia
    • Finland
    • Iceland
    • Latvia
    • Lithuania
    • Norway
    • Sweden
  • Southern Europe
    • Andorra
    • Croatia
    • Cyprus
    • Gibraltar
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Malta
    • Montenegro
    • Morocco
    • Portugal
    • Serbia
    • Spain
    • Turkey
  • Eastern Europe
    • Bulgaria
    • Moldova
    • Romania
    • Russia
    • Ukraine

Sardinia: Italy’s Hidden Gem

Published/Revised June 12, 2014 By Katie Hammel This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Share20
Tweet
Pin
Share
Email
+1
Buffer8
Flip
Reddit
28 Shares

 

The island of Sardinia lies off the west coast of Italy and is second in size to Sicily. It’s an often overlooked destination, but the island of Sardinia lures savvy travelers with its unspoiled beaches, varied terrain, abundant wildlife, rich cuisine and charming small towns.

Sardinia shoreline

Sardinia shoreline

What to Do and See in Sardinia

Sardinia

Sardinia

Nature is one of Sardinia’s biggest draws. The rugged coastline is home to several national parks and protected marine areas. At Capo Carbonara in the southeast, dolphins frolic in the surf while flamingos and sea birds perch on a small sandbar. Several companies will take experienced divers below the sparkling blue sea to explore ravines, caves and shipwrecked boats or swim past brightly colored native fish.

There are over 2000 kilometers of beaches in Sardinia, each one unique. The yellow dunes of Piscinas beach are home to deer, juniper, olive trees and sea turtles, while La Pelosa beach is known for its fine white sand and clear water that is ideal for snorkeling. Santa Margherita di Pula beach is one of the most popular and is a particular favorite of surfers. Along more rugged areas of the coast, you can explore sea caves like the magnificent caves of Bue Marino, filled with small fresh-water pools.

Adventure lovers can get their fill in Sardinia as well. Several mountain ranges criss-cross the country and offer activities like skiing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, rock climbing, and off-roading. The mountainous regions are ideal for those looking to view some of Sardinia’s wildlife and native plants as well. Animals like fox, deer, eagle and boar wander among prickly pear, lavender, thyme, juniper, and strawberry trees.

The Giara di Gesturi area is also home to the last wild horses in Europe. Forests and caves also dot the countryside, along with spectacular waterfalls like Villacidro Falls, Sos Molinos and Su Cologone. And several large lakes and lagoons are perfect for bird watching, boating, and fishing.

Sardinia was once an important place in the mining industry with several mines that have been preserved and are now open for tours. Iron working and the production of filigree jewelry and ceramic pottery were also traditional industries. There are shops all over Sardinia still producing pieces that make excellent souvenirs.

Where to Stay in Sardinia

The port city of Cagliari is Sardinia’s main city, though at about 160,000 people it isn’t quite a metropolis. The old city, called the Castello, is the main tourist attraction and is filled with ancient white lime-stone buildings and impressive cathedrals. The nearby Poetto beach features beautiful white sand and a vibrant nightlife. The ancient city of Sassari is home to an impressive collection of art museums while the modern town of Olbia is home to trendy boutiques and restaurants. Alghero is the place to go for fine cuisine. Its Catalan influence from Spain left a mark on the food, which relies heavily on seafood.

Cagliari

Cagliari

These cities offer all the modern conveniences you need, along with plenty of choice for accommodations in any price range. For an even more off-the-beaten-path experience, head to one of the island’s many small towns and villages. Stay in Tortolì, known for its wine production, or relax in the mountainous village of Desulo. If your main destinations are Sardinia’s islands, you can charter a sailboat and sleep on board.

What to Eat and Drink in Sardiana

Sardinian lobster

Sardinian lobster

As elsewhere in Italy, food is a large part of life in Sardinia. Olive groves are found all over the island and the oil is used liberally in Sardinian cooking. The wild boar that roams the hills is often cooked by burying and roasting it underground. It is typically enjoyed with some of the many varieties of wild mushrooms that grow in abundance. Seafoods like swordfish, lobster, tuna and sea urchin also figure prominently into the Sardinian diet. Juniper berries, myrtle, saffron and fennel spices are often used to flavor dishes and the island also produces a number of unique breads. Carasau, often called music paper for its thinness, is served all over the island while hard-crusted Coccoi bread is artfully sculpted into various intricate designs and reserved for special occasions. Almonds and Nougat are the most popular dessert ingredients.

The climate and many days of sunshine, makes Sardinia an ideal wine-growing area. The grape names and wine varieties produced on the island may not be familiar, but the fruity and fragrant wines are well worth a try. Sardinia also produces several signature liqueurs as well, such as Aquavit (like grappa), Limoncello, and Mirto, a purple liqueur made from the myrtle berry.

Getting There and Around

Direct flights run from New York to Cagliari, or you can connect in Rome via a discount airline such as Ryan Air. Buses, trains and boats connect main cities but if you plan to venture to more rural areas and small towns, you will need to rent a car.

Find more information at Sardinia’s Tourism website

Written by Katie Hammel for EuropeUpClose.com

More Travel Tips

  • Join me: Sailing Cruise from Sardinia to CorsicaJoin me: Sailing Cruise from Sardinia to Corsica
  • Sardinia for the Rest of UsSardinia for the Rest of Us
  • 5+ Traditional Sardinian Foods You Must Try5+ Traditional Sardinian Foods You Must Try
  • South Sardinia – Cagliari and BeyondSouth Sardinia – Cagliari and Beyond
  • Discover France’s Stunning AuvergneDiscover France’s Stunning Auvergne
  • Searching for Loggerhead Sea Turtles in Zakythos, GreeceSearching for Loggerhead Sea Turtles in Zakythos, Greece
  • Pandemonium in Palermo, SicilyPandemonium in Palermo, Sicily
  • Staying and Dining in Gallipoli, ItalyStaying and Dining in Gallipoli, Italy
Share20
Tweet
Pin
Share
Email
+1
Buffer8
Flip
Reddit
28 Shares

Filed Under: Southern Europe, Italy Tagged With: sardinia

This post may contain affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

About Katie Hammel

Katie Hammel a travel writer and editor based in San Francisco. She been working in the travel industry for a decade and has written for travel publications including BBC Travel and Travel + Leisure. Previously, she was the content manager and blog editor at Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and the Iceland-based startup TripCreator.

Comments

  1. Rachel says

    July 1, 2009 at 6:31 am

    Sardinia is lovely! The south of the island is generally quieter and less built up, so if you want a peaceful, relaxing and ‘get away from it all’ holiday, then the south is ideal. There are also some fantastic beaches around the coastline.

  2. car hire alghero airport says

    July 23, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    Sardinia is a cool place ,especially the northern part is very beautiful.

  3. Egle says

    May 24, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    hej, I would like to inquire does anybody of you knows some places where two poeple in August could stay cheap in Alghero for 3 nights ?
    Thanks for information.

Follow EuropeUpClose

Facebook Instagram Twitter

Copyright © 2019 Europe Up Close · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · EuropeUpClose.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Log in

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkDisclosure Policy