Sitting fairly between Spain, Tunisia, the French Riviera and the Italian mainland, Sardinia is one among Europe's most alluring Mediterranean getaways. With its splendid white sands and translucent turquoise waters, the island is justifiably famed as a seaside vacation vacation spot – nevertheless it's nicely price digging deeper to find Sardinia's strolling trails, city points of interest and distinctive cultural heritage.
1. Cagliari
Finest for city pleasure
Sardinia's capital and largest metropolis makes an important place to start or finish your journey. Stroll via the slim lanes of Il Castello, Cagliari's medieval hilltop citadel, to admire the dizzying mixture of architectural types at Cattedrale di Santa Maria and the far-reaching views atop Torre dell'Elefante. Get a really feel for Sardinia's multi-layered historical past on the magnificent Museo Archeologico Nazionale, then ogle the paintings on the Galleria Comunale d'Arte.
For buying, eating and nightlife, head for the bustling Marina district down by Cagliari's palm-fringed waterfront. If you're prepared for one thing extra 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
Finest for dramatic coastlines and scenic boat journeys
With limestone escarpments plunging headlong into the glowing Mediterranean, the Golfo di Orosei is one among Europe's most dramatic coastal locations. The assembly of land and sea right here is so abrupt that the gulf's finest seashores, comparable to Cala Mariolu, are accessible solely by boat or foot. Probably the most easy option to discover this stretch of coast is on a ship tour from the vacation resort of Cala Gonone, which can take you dipping out and in of caves and coves all day, with ample alternatives to sunbathe and swim.
Hikers with the stamina to discover additional shall be richly rewarded by one among Sardinia's most interesting coastal path networks, extending south of Orosei from Cala Luna to Cala Sisine. For climbing fanatics, the final word 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 however unforgettable all-day hike, catch an early boat to Cala Sisine, then hike the 12km one-way again up the coast to Cala Gonone, pausing halfway for the compulsory photograph op at Arco di Lupiru, a large pure stone arch .
3. Archipelago of the Maddalena
Finest for island hopping
Sprinkled throughout the placid seas of northeastern Sardinia is that this gorgeous archipelago, preserved since 1994 as a nationwide park. From the tiny coastal resort of Palau, small boat operators provide island-hopping day journeys to observe dolphins and discover 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 Through XX Settembre in La Maddalena's historic middle and pause for an aperitivo (aperitif) throughout the night passeggiata (stroll). By day, head 7km east throughout the causeway to the Compendio Garibaldino, the sprawling former property of Italy's nationwide hero Giuseppe Garibaldi; afterward, cease in for a swim at Due Mari or Spiaggia del Relitto.
4. Supramonte
Finest for mountain climbing
Hikers will adore the Supramonte, a rugged limestone massif punctuated by deep gorges and distant valleys, and crisscrossed by spectacular strolling trails. Simply south of Dorgali, the 8km spherical journey hike to Gola Su Goroppu passes via a fascinating valley good for swimming or riverside picnicking, then abruptly narrows right into a spectacular gorge the place you’ll be able to boulder-hop upstream between sheer, polychrome cliffs.
Equally evocative is the close by hike to the prehistoric village of Tiscali, whose stone partitions and ruined edifices slumber below the shade of holm oak and turpentine bushes, embraced by the collapsed stays of a large cave that after served as a mountaintop lookout for Bronze Age Sardinians . Followers of distant seashores ought to switchback as much as 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 keep away from the tour boats at Cala Goloritzé, hit the path early within the morning, when the climate's cooler and also you'll have the seaside largely to your self.
5.Alghero
Finest for {couples}
Gazing west throughout the Mediterranean in the direction of Spain, charming Alghero feels equal elements Iberian and Sardinian. Town's official language is Catalan, whereas its golden-hued Sixteenth-century ramparts hearken again to the times of Aragonese rule. Climb the Campanile subsequent to the cathedral for panoramic views of the cobbled streets and Gothic palazzi of the historic middle, backed by the shimmering waters of the Riviera del Corallo.
To totally recognize Alghero's easygoing vacation vibe, take an early night stroll alongside the Sea Partitions, framed by a trio of picturesque towers and lined with open-air restaurant terraces; at sundown, it's the proper spot to observe 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
Finest for conventional Sardinian tradition
The rugged hill nation south of Nuoro was the final Sardinian outpost to be conquered by the Romans, incomes it the title Barbagia (akin to “barbarian”). Historic traditions nonetheless persist within the area'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 via city.
In case you miss the primary occasion, Mamoiada's Museo delle Maschere Mediterranee is the subsequent smartest thing, with fabulous shows of masks, costumes and video footage. The close by village of Orgosolo is one other fascinating place to discover. Seize a multi-lingual audio information on the vacationer workplace and head for Corso Repubblica to discover Orgosolo's superb assortment of 200 murals depicting a variety of political and historic themes.
Planning tip: Fall is one other great time to go to Barbagia; throughout the Autunno in Barbagia competition (September to December), the area's villages invite guests to find native cultural and culinary traditions.
7. Nuraghe Su Nuraxi
Finest for historical past
Sardinia's abundance of prehistoric archaeological websites, generally known as nuraghiprovide a charming glimpse of the island's prehistory. In case you solely have time to go to 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, nevertheless it's straightforward to conjure up visions of the Bronze Age village that after stood 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 round courtyard with partitions as much as 7m thick.
Planning tip: To find Sardinia's hundreds of others nuraghidiscover the map at Nurnet.
8. Parco Nazionale dell'Asinara
Finest for wildlife
Secluded off Sardinia's northwestern tip, the Parco Nazionale dell'Asinara is an island oasis the place nature nonetheless guidelines the roost. Albino donkeys, wild boar and silky-haired mouflon sheep prowl via the maquis (Mediterranean scrub), whereas peregrine falcons soar overhead and loggerhead turtles ply the encompassing waters. Entry is restricted to day trippers solely; to take advantage of the island's untrammed seashores and granite coves, catch an early ferry from Porto Torres or sail throughout on a catamaran from the summer season resort of Stintino, the place you can even lounge on the dreamy sands of Spiaggia della Pelosa.
