Things to do in  Sardinia

For deserted lagoons, turquoise waves, and fabulous beaches, set sail for the Maddalena Archipelago (Arcipelago della Maddalena), just off the Costa Smeralda. The group of seven islands and dozens of islets between Sardinia and Corsica is a national park, with crystalline waters for diving and unspoiled coastlines.

This saddle-shaped indentation in the St. Elia promontory overlooks Cagliari’s popular Poetto beach. It's one of the most striking natural features along the coastline and a popular destination for hikers and kayakers. Though there are a number of ancient ruins nearby, the biggest draw is the view over the Gulf of Angels from the hilltop.

Italy’s idyllic island of Sardinia is known for its beaches and turquoise waters, which encircle beautiful inland parks and natural areas. One of the most important is Molentargius - Saline Regional Park (Parco Naturale Regionale Molentargius - Saline), a wetland of shallow pools once used to harvest salt that now hosts a wealth of bird life.

The ancient city of Nora was once among the most powerful settlements on Sardinia. Founded by the Phoenicians, this coastal capital later became an important Punic and Roman metropolis. Inside the ruins, you can visit a Roman theater and baths and see mosaic fragments and other archaeological artefacts.

The Italian island of Sardinia (Sardegna) is known for its stunning natural beauty, including a pristine coastline and tiny offshore islets. In 1997 one of these, the island of Asinara, became Asinara National Park (Parco Nazionale dell'Asinara)—a nature reserve that is home to wild animals, historic ruins, hiking trails, and idyllic beaches.

Set in the lush countryside outside the town of Barumini, Su Nuraxi is Sardinia’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the island’s most important Nuragic-age ruins. The highlight is the main tower, dating from 1500 BC and incorporated over time into a vast fortified nuraghe compound.

Sardinia has a history that stretches more than 6,000 years, and is rich in archaeological sites where scores of important artifacts have been unearthed. See some of the island’s most important ancient treasures in Cagliari’s excellent National Museum of Archaeology, home to finds from the Pre-Nuragic era to the Punic colonization.

Located in the countryside southwest of Cagliari, the Caves of Is Zuddas (Grotte Is Zuddas) are one of the natural wonders of Sardinia. This network of tunnels and caverns stretches more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) underground and is home to incredible stalactite and stalagmite formations, including twiggy helictites in the main hall.

A cluster of the island’s unique limestone edifices dating from between the Bronze and Iron ages, this 3,500-year-old Nuragic village is one of the most captivating megalithic sites in Sardinia. Tour the main towers and meeting hut to learn about the enigmatic Nuragic culture and its striking architecture.

Housed in the 16th-century residence of the Zapata family (who once ruled southern Sardinia), this small museum complex includes the remains of an Iron Age Nuragic settlement, artefacts from the nearby Su Nuraxi archaeological site, and exhibitions about the local culture and the Zapata dynasty.

The Gulf of Cagliari (Golfo di Cagliari)—also known as the Golfo degli Angeli, or Gulf of Angels—on Sardinia’s southern coast offers something for everyone. Swim at the Poetto or Calamosca beaches, paddle along the coastline by kayak, hike to Devil’s Saddle atop the St. Elia promontory, or check out the ancient ruins at Nora.

One of the most important archaeological sites in Sardinia, this group of 38 burial chambers carved into the sandstone date from as far back as 4200 BC and are known as domus de janas, or “fairy houses.” Tour the site to see Neolithic engravings of bull’s horns, false doors, and other enigmatic designs.

Neptune's Grotto, located near Alghero, is a stunning stalactite cave that’s often hailed as one of the most beautiful caves in Sardinia. Discovered by fishermen in the 18th century, it has become a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors into the enchanting underworld of Capo Caccia's cliffside. Named after the Roman god of the sea, it's a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and explorers.

This excellent museum teaches visitors about a basket making tradition that has existed in Sardinia’s coastal town of Castelsardo since the Nuraghic period. Trace the evolution of weaving through the millennia, and view an impressive collection of these works of art made from dwarf palm fronds.

In the pantheon of Sardinian beaches, La Pelosa is a dreamy beauty: a dainty strip of fine-white sand lapped by knee-deep, turquoise waters and flanked by an Aragonese watchtower straight out of a Giorgio de Chirico painting. The beach, on the northwest tip of Capo Falcone facing Isola Piana, derives its name from an abundance of seaweed—hence, pelosa or “hairy.”