Italy, sardinia. The best beaches, hotels and activities on the island: the secrets of holidays in Sardinia and tourist reviews
Accommodation in resort areas is represented by a variety of hotels, apartments and villas. Prices vary greatly, depending on the location of housing, proximity to the beach, and most importantly - the season. So, in winter, the price of accommodation can be up to 50% of the summer cost of the same housing. For example, the cost of living in a 3 * hotel in the resort of Chia (in May) starts from € 65, and in 5 * hotels - from € 350. Renting apartments (two bedrooms) for the summer starts from €500 and up in different parts of the island.
In Sardinia, tourists love to lie on the steepest beaches in Europe, stroll through ancient towns and villages, look at flocks of flamingos in the south of the island, rent the best yacht, try all kinds of water sports, and taste delicious seafood.
It is best to come to the island from May to June and from September to October, when rental prices are lower than in July-August, and there are much fewer tourists.
NORTH
Best beaches: La Pelosa, Spiaggia Rosa, Spiaggia del Principe.
Castelsardo
Castelsardo is a charming medieval town, included in the lists of "the most beautiful in Italy". A breathtaking view of it opens from the top of the castle built by the Doria family. It rises above the city and the Gulf of Asinara. An elite holiday in this locality involves renting a yacht for the purpose of sailing around the entire northern coast.
Beach: yes.
Distance: 2 km from the center.
The island of Sardinia (Sardegna, the second largest island in the region) is located in the Mediterranean Sea west of the Apennine Peninsula, between Sicily and Corsica. Administratively, it is an autonomous region of Italy (Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, Rezione Auto "noma de sa Sardigna) and differs from the mainland of the country both in ethnic composition and in language (Sardinian is used, or the Sardinian language, which has the status of a regional language of the European Union). Sardinia has its own president, its own parliament and its own flag, but all local legislation comes into force only after the approval of the Italian parliament.
The relief of the island is predominantly mountainous - the rocky strip of the east coast passes into the old volcanic massif of Gennargentu (the highest point is Mount La Marmora, 1834 m) in the central part of the island. As we move west, the relief gently decreases to the low ridges of the Iglesiente massif (Linas, 1236 m), passing into the mountains of Monte Ortobene, Monte del Sette Fratelli, Monte Albo, Monte del Sulcis, Supramonte and Goceano, and also the granite massif of Gallura (Monte Limbara) and the Barbagia ridge.
Narrow valleys of short local rivers stretch between the mountain ranges, and the slopes are abundantly overgrown with dense Mediterranean vegetation, which gives the island a characteristic white-green appearance. The coastline is extremely picturesque - a series of cozy bays, secluded beaches, grottoes, rocks and islands stretches along the entire coast. There is no industry at all on the island, and the rivers, which usually carry a lot of mud into the sea, are shallow, so the water off the coast of Sardinia is clear, and the local shores are famous for their cleanliness (the island regularly breaks European records for the number of Blue Flags awarded to its beaches). The combination of beautiful nature and original traditions makes Sardinia one of the most popular tourist regions of the country, where people go not only to soak up the clean beaches, but also to get acquainted with the amazing history and culture of these places, which are noticeably different from the mainland of Italy.
Sardinia is one of the unique cultural reserves in Europe, whose history holds many mysteries. People appeared on the island in the Neolithic times, at least 150 thousand years ago (traces of that era have survived to this day - the famous megaliths "domus de hanas"). The ancient Sardis (then called "Shardana" and "Shekelesh") dominated the region and even attacked Egypt, being the basis of the famous "peoples of the sea". Here for the first time they began to grow grapes (traces of the first vineyards date back as far as 1200 BC) and parsley, build large ships and explore the nearby islands. In the X-V centuries. BC e. an amazing civilization of nuraghes was formed in Sardinia, whose traces can still be found on the island in the form of truncated cones made of large stone blocks - “nuraghe”, or “nuraghi” (even today there are more than 9 thousand of these huge buildings on the island, whose purpose still not entirely clear). Around 1000 BC. e. the Phoenicians founded several ports in Sardinia (Tharros, Nora, Caralis, Sulcis and Cornus), whose direct "descendants" are the modern cities of the island. During the Punic Wars, the island was taken over by the Roman Empire, which built an extensive network of roads and cities. In the V-XI centuries. n. e. Sardinia became part of the Kingdom of the Vandals, then was conquered by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. After the conquest of Sicily by the Saracens (832 AD), the island was divided into four independent kingdoms, and in 1409 it was conquered by the kingdom of Aragon. After the merger of Castile and Aragon into a single state, the island was included in Spain (while the city of Sassari declared itself a Free Republic). In 1718, Sardinia became an independent kingdom, a vassal of Savoy (Piedmont), and in 1860 became part of a united Italy. Such a turbulent history could not but leave its mark on the appearance of the island, so now you can see here unique monuments of Neolithic cultures, and monuments of the Roman and Byzantine eras, as well as beautiful examples of Italian and Spanish architecture. And the famous nuraghi, primarily the unique complex of Nurakhi di Barumini, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Sassari known for its churches of San Nicola, Madonna del Rosario (XVII century), Sant'Andrea (XVII century), Sant'Antonio (1709), Santa Maria di Betlem, San Pietro di Silky, San Giacomo di Taniga and San Giovanni di Boscove. No less interesting are the Palace of Palacetto d "Usini (XVI century), the museum of the history of the famous infantry regiment of Brigata-Sessari, the square of Corso Vittorio Emanuele II (broken on the site of the medieval Plata de Codinas), Palazzo del Provincia (XIX century. ), as well as fragments of old medieval walls with gates near Piazza Sant'Antonio and the Rosello Fountain (XVII century).In the vicinity of Sassari, you can see the old mining center of Argentiera, the medieval city of Castelsardo, the large cathedral-altar of Monte Accodi (considered the only object of its kind in Europe), the Asinara Island National Park, the Romanesque Cathedral of San Gavino in Porto Torres and other interesting objects.
In a beautiful port town Alghero(Alghero), which lies in the north of the west coast, the city's cathedral with a mosaic dome (XV century), the snow-white Lido beach, the limestone cliffs of Capo Caccia with its famous cave of Neptune, to which 656 steps lead from the top of the rock, deserve attention, as well as the most beautiful caves on the island, also part of the Grotto Netuno complex.
The capital of the region of Barbagia is a city Nuoro located on the Monte Ortobene plateau and surrounded by a network of valleys and mountain ranges. The decorations of Nuoro are the central square of Piazza Sebastiano Satta, the ancient church of Delle Grazie (XVI century), the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Neve (1836-1854), the Museum of Life and Folk Traditions of Sardinia (1976), the church of Solitudine (XVIII century), the museum of the Nobel laureate in literature Grazia Deledda (1926), the Ethnographic Museum, the Regional Art Museum, as well as the statue of Christ (1901) on the top of the rock east of the city.
Surrounding Nuoro are the protected lands of the Supramonte mountain region, widely known for its extensive holm and cork oak tracts, hundreds of picturesque caves, gorges and purest springs, and along the coast you can find the beaches of San Teodoro and Budoni (this area is considered the longest wild beach in Italy), and also one of the last natural subtropical forests in Europe in the Gulf of Orosei.
IN Oristano interesting: the powerful tower of San Cristoforo (1921), the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the Church of San Francesco, the Antiquarium Arborense Museum (a collection of archaeological objects from the Neolithic to the Roman period, found on the site of the ancient city of Tharros) in the Palazzo Parpaglia , the largest Oristano Cathedral in Sardinia (Santa Maria Assunta, XII-XVIII centuries), Mariano Towers (1291) and Portixedda - the last fragments of the old city walls, the Church of San Francesco. Outside the city you can see the Cathedral of Santa Giusta - one of the most significant Romanesque buildings of the island, the "bird paradise" of the Cabras and Sale Porcus lagoons, the green forests of Montiferru, as well as the long beach areas of Mari Ermi, Putzu Idu, Sous Pallosa and Sinis Peninsula.
ancient roman port Olbia, lying in a narrow coastal gorge in the north-east of the island, can offer tourists to see the Romanesque church of San Simplicio (XII century), as well as many kilometers of beaches of the famous seaside resort of Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast), National Park of the La Maddalena archipelago, resort the Isola Rossa area and many cozy marinas. In the mountainous regions around the city, a huge number of archaeological and historical monuments are concentrated, including numerous nuraghes and "graves of giants" near Arzachena, as well as Compendio Garibaldino di Caprera - a complex in which a house and objects associated with the last period are located. the life of General Garibaldi.
In the mountains lying on the western slope of the same name Iglesias It is worth seeing the Byzantine Church of San Salvatore, fragments of the city fortress (XIII century), the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Chiara (1285-1288), the Church of San Francesco (XVI century), and the Mining Museum. Nearby are the sand dunes of Piscis and Piscinas, the famous cliffs of Iglesiente, the underwater ridges near Masua Nebida and the beaches of Muravera, Castiadas and Villasimius, where the beach season lasts up to seven months. in the town Sanluri the only medieval fortress in Sardinia (XIII century), as well as a number of ancient temples, has been preserved with all the furnishings and interiors.
Near Lanusei(administrative center of the eastern region of Ogliastra) attractive clean sea coast and picturesque mountainous areas with hiking trails along the Arbatax massif, where the Rocce Rosse jazz festival is regularly held; canyons Su-Gorropou (Urzulei region), Perda Longa and Golgo (Baunei), Perda-e-Liana (Gairo), Su-Marmuri depression (Ulassai), trails Cala Mariolu, Cala Luna, Cala Sizine and Cala Goloritze, as well as the church of Santa Maria Navarrese (XV-XVI centuries) surrounded by a centuries-old forest of wild olives, and numerous ancient buildings of domus de janas, nuraghe and "graves of giants". From Cagliari to Ogliastra, the so-called "green train" runs, specially conceived as an agro-tourist route.
Around Sardinia
Sardinia is surrounded by a huge number of picturesque islets and archipelagos. San Pietro Island (Cagliari region, southeastern tip of Sardinia) is known for its pine forests and rocky beaches, as well as characteristic Ligurian and Arabic motifs in local architecture. The island of Sant'Antioco (the second largest of the small islands of Italy after the Elba) in the Gulf of Palmas is famous as one of the first settlements of the Phoenicians (the town of the same name was founded in the 8th century BC) and one of the most picturesque places in the region in the spring when the rocks are covered with a fantastic riot of flowering plants. Tavolara (region of Sassari, opposite Olbia) was known as the smallest Italian kingdom of the 19th century, and today is almost entirely overgrown with juniper (access is difficult because the NATO naval base is located here). The deserted private island of Molara (Sassari region) is known for its granite rocks on the eastern shore and the ruins of the Gurgumai castle, as well as good diving conditions.
The group of small granite islands of La Maddalena (Maddalena, Budelli, Caprera, Santa Maria, Razzoli, Santo Stefano and Spragi) is known as one of the best places for underwater archeology. At the same time, Budelli is famous for its pink sand beaches and rich Mediterranean vegetation. Caprera is a seabird sanctuary, a major sailing center is located here, and you can visit the Garibaldi House Museum with a memorial chapel. Razzoli and Santa Maria are also home to a huge number of birds, and their tiny bays are popular with lovers of secluded beach holidays. Virtually uninhabited Santo Stefano is known for its traces of prehistoric settlements, and the waters off Spragi Island hide many sunken ships. Maddalena Island is known for its beautiful underwater life, many specialized tourist camps and the craftsmanship of the locals in coral jewelry and carpet weaving. And in the local museum of Labrolla-La Maddalena, a lot of items raised from sunken ships off the coast of the archipelago have been collected.
It is a favorite holiday destination for tourists from all over the world.
Peculiarities
Since ancient times, this place has been a crossroads of ancient civilizations. During its long history, Sardinia has been conquered countless times by various peoples and empires. All this was reflected in the appearance of the island. Monuments of antiquity here can be found at every step. Phoenician and Roman cities, medieval castles and fortresses, Romanesque churches, Christian cathedrals. The unique climate contributes to the long-term preservation of all these evidences of the past in excellent condition. The island is currently part of Italy. The well-known concern for tourists in this country is reflected in the culture of recreation and leisure in Sardinia. A wide variety of resorts, hotels, villas, apartments and bungalows are available to guests of the island. It offers vacationers excellent hotels, some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean, exceptionally clean and clear sea water. This is one of the most favorite holiday destinations for celebrities, which speaks better than any advertisement about the unique beauty and fabulous atmosphere that prevails in Sardinia. A holiday in Sardinia is a unique opportunity for a spa holiday in Europe with the highest service and unforgettable experiences.
general information
The island of Sardinia is located between Sicily and Corsica to the west of the Apennine Peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea, covering an area of 24 sq. km. The population is almost 1.7 million people. The time zone is UTC + 1 in winter and UTC + 2 in summer, local time is 2 hours behind Moscow in winter and 1 hour in summer. Official website www.regione.sardegna.it.
Climate
The island is located in the area of the Mediterranean climate. However, the weather is influenced by the nearby Gulf of Genoa and the Atlantic. Sardinia is a relatively large island and mostly hilly, so the weather is not uniform in different parts, in particular the east has a drier climate and the west coast has frequent rains. Summers are warm and dry in the Cagliari region, the temperature is about +30 degrees. Autumn and winter are mild on the plains. Most of the rain falls in spring and autumn. The swimming season on the island lasts from June to October.
How to get there
Meridiana Fly organizes direct charter flights from Russia to Sardinia during the high summer period on the route Moscow - Cagliari. There are many options for connecting flights through Europe. There are three airports in Sardinia: in Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero.
- Cagliari-Elmas Airport (Cagliari-Elmas Airport "Mario Mameli", IATA: CAG) is located in Elmas, about 6 km west of the center of Cagliari. You can get to the airport by bus or train. The airport serves domestic and international flights.
- Olbia Airport (IATA: OLB) is the second busiest in Sardinia and is the hub of Meridiana Fly. Located 3 km southwest of the center of Olbia, easily accessible by bus. The airport is connected by flights to France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
- Alghero-Fertilia Airport (Alghero-Fertilia, IATA: AHO) is located in Fertilia, 10 km northwest of Alghero, where buses run. It is essentially a domestic airport, but there are several flights to London and Frankfurt.
Transport
The most convenient form of transport in Sardinia is a rental car, although it is quite possible to travel around the island by bus or train - it is cheap. But by car, you can visit more remote places and generally move more freely, without being tied to the schedule and routes of public transport. Many roads are quite narrow, you need to be especially careful when driving on hilly terrain, you can meet pets, you should also beware of strong gusts of wind. One of the best ways to see Sardinia is by sailing, the choice of different types of boats and yachts is wide. In many places you can rent a bike.
Cities
The elite area southwest of the capital of the island is a place of exclusive hotels and resorts that can satisfy the most demanding public. The unique climate, mild and warm, contributes to the overall improvement of well-being, has a great effect on the immune system. Numerous SPA services will make you feel truly rested, full of strength and energy.
Further west is the city Teulada. The cliffs rise to 40 meters, and from here you can see the white sandy beach lying below. The width of the beach is about 70 m, almost all of it is covered with luxurious dunes. The height of some sandy hills reaches 30 m.
The southeastern region of the island is an ideal place for a family vacation, affordable hotels and private apartments will make it possible to have a wonderful vacation with children. It is here that a unique natural area is located - a salt lake. A unique ecosystem, rare species of birds, flocks of pink flamingos will create a unique feeling of communicating with wildlife. At the service of children are various attractions, children's entertainment centers with hosts, swimming pools and cafes.
City Alghero located on the west coast - the best place for lovers of ancient architecture. Medieval appearance, with its unique architecture, typical Catalan quarters, Catalan dialect, unique Spanish cuisine. By and large, this is a piece of Spain on the island, because once the entire territory of Sardinia was under the rule of the Spanish crown for 400 years. The aquarium located here is famous for the whole world, in which a unique collection of inhabitants of the deep sea from all over the world is collected.
City located in the center of the west coast Oristano- the center of equestrian sports on the island. Thanks to the arena and stable located in the city, world-class competitions are held here. It offers tourists unforgettable horse rides in the mountainous surroundings of the city with a visit to the ruins of an ancient Romanesque city. Taross, and the archaeological site of Santa Cristina.
small towns Stintino, Fertilia is an ideal solution for those who decide to escape from the hustle and bustle of big cities. The main attraction here are the beautiful, uncrowded sandy beaches. You can be sure that you will not be disturbed during your vacation, and you will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the amazing azure sea.
Diving
Sardinia is a real paradise for divers. Diving into the warm sea depths filled with life leaves an unforgettable experience. The bright and colorful underwater world is amazing.
Accommodation
There are world chains of hotels in Sardinia, but small local hotels or apartments still have a lot of color. An economical option is to rent a private house in the village or a room on a farm, in a rural cottage. Most of the rooms are located on the coast, but the interior of the island also offers good opportunities.
Kitchen
In Sardinia, traditions and customs are very strictly adhered to. Before 7 pm you are unlikely to find pizza in local restaurants, with the exception of some tourist-oriented eateries. Also, you will not be able to eat between 16:00 and 19:00, unless you can find some kind of ham and cheese sandwich. One of the local dishes worth trying is Culurgiones, something reminiscent of ravioli, a dish made from pasta stuffed with cheese or potatoes, eggs, onions, garlic, mint. Malloreddus - are dumplings with tomatoes, cheese sauce and meat. In traditional pizzerias, pizza is usually cooked in the oven. Porcheddu is a traditional dish of Sardinia, which is a pig roasted in a special way over wood fires, using local spices for flavor. Very tasty fish dishes (pesce azzurro) from a freshly caught catch. Local vegetables and fruits are also very tasty and do not contain harmful substances, as they are grown on small farms and are completely organic. Highly recommended to try the goat cheese. There are many recipes for local desserts in Sardinia that you should definitely try.
shopping
From souvenirs in Sardinia, you can buy products of local craftsmen - ceramics, pots, weaving materials, bedspreads, shawls, carpets. Local liquor will be a great gift. It sells and produces beautiful products made of gold and silver.
Precautionary measures
Sardinia has a very low crime rate. Some areas of Sardinia are known for their showdowns among the locals, but as a rule, this does not concern tourists. Places near football stadiums are unsafe.
It is located 200 km from Italy and 12 km from French Corsica. The name of the island comes from the ancient Greek "Sandaliotis" (sandal), and the outline of the island really resembles the imprint of a sandal. True, according to the ancient Greeks, this is the imprint of the sandal of God, and tourists who have visited Sardinia can confirm this, since the island really looks like a piece of paradise.
Rocks on the horizon, subtropical thickets, pink flamingos evoke romantic moods, and the atmosphere, saturated with eucalyptus and pine essential oils, is pleasant and good for breathing. Add to this beautiful sandy beaches, civilized European service, and what else does a tourist need, tired of the bustle of a dusty metropolis?
Even 50 years ago, Sardinia was the poorest region of Italy, until the government in 1962 adopted a tourism development program on this island. Since then, millions of tourists who have visited this island have been captivated by local resorts.
Sardinia became part of Italy only in 1861, but the descendants of the Nuraghe, one of the oldest civilizations on the planet, were in conflict with the metropolis for a long time, until they received autonomy status in 1948.
Many coveted this paradise, starting with the Phoenicians, Carthage, Romans, and after the collapse of the empire, the vandals and ending with Spain and the Savoy dynasty. All of them left a noticeable mark on the history, culture, architecture and cuisine of Sardinia.
To this day, the locals speak their Sardu dialect and feed tourists with exotic dishes that are different from traditional Italian cuisine. Highly recommended to try while here are suckling pig (Su porcheddu a sa Sarda) and zucchini with tomatoes and mussels.
The island has about 250 beaches with a length of about 1800 kilometers, some of them are accessible only from the sea, but the remaining ones are more than enough for tourists who are thirsty for a beach holiday.
The coast of Sardinia is considered the most beautiful in Italy and the best for divers. The specifics are such that there are practically no resort towns with apartments here, usually tourists go to hotels that are far from each other right on the beach, so beach equipment is usually free, since it is used by the guests of the corresponding hotel.
- the most fashionable beach region of Sardinia. The sea here is a very rich emerald color, hence the name of the area. Located in the north of the island, on the coast of the bay, stretching for 55 km. Of the nightlife, the Sottovento disco club stands out here, tourists over forty prefer the Sopravento Club disco
In the center of the resort, in the province of Olbia, there is a town Artsachena, famous for the luxurious beaches of Cala di Volpe, Long Beach and Capriccioli.
North is Porto Cervo, designed for tourists looking for luxury, in addition to the beaches equipped with the latest, there are no less luxurious boutiques, restaurants and clubs.
The next resort town is Poltu Quatu , which was chosen by yachtsmen thanks to the fjord formed by mountains. Picturesque shores, a quiet and calm port where storms do not reach, the proximity of picturesque islands (Magdalena, Budelli, Razzoli and others) attract many tourists here.
And finally capriccioli. The main beach is Celvia, small, only 500 meters, paid, but, nevertheless, crowded with tourists.
This area is also called the Coral Riviera, and is located in the province of Sassari. Here it is necessary to highlight the central beach, the so-called Spiaggia del Lido. Despite the fact that the beach is sandy, by the way, the sand is perfect - clean and fine, the water here is just crystal clear.
Carbonia-Iglesias
The next resort area. It is famous for an interesting attraction - the island of St. Peter, on which, according to legend, St. Peter crossing the sea.
Many tourists stay here without continuing their journey around Sardinia, since the local 30-kilometer strip of luxurious beaches of Villasimius with developed infrastructure, hotels, spas, restaurants, etc. is quite self-sufficient for a good rest. Despite the vastness of the resort, there are also a lot of tourists here, so if you are aiming to spend a vacation here, you should book a hotel well in advance.
Here is the resort of Santa Margherita di Pula. It is famous for the Forte Village hotel complex. In addition, Villasimius is interesting for divers with its reefs and several sunken ships.
Between Cagliari and Villasimius there is a water park and a golf club.
Ogliastra
The resort is located on the east coast, quite young, so far poorly promoted, there are not enough tourists, respectively, but experts say that the beauty of the resort has no equal in Sardinia.
Nuoro
The last resort on the east coast, but not the last in the ranking. Experienced tourists advise those who like to admire the scenery to rent a car, there are plenty of them here. Family tourists should choose Orosei beaches. For a child, this is the best choice.
How to get to Sardinia
Airplane
The air gates of the island are the airport of Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, and the airports of Alghero in the west, and Olbia in the south. From Russia you can fly with a connection in Rome by Aeroflot or Alitalia; direct charters fly here during the season.
Tickets for Sardinia can be picked up using this SEARCH ENGINE. You drive in one of the three airports of the island, the city of departure, and look at the desired flights for the desired dates.
Olbia Airport is connected to all the cities of the Costa Smeralda by direct bus service, there is no shortage of taxis, you can also rent a car.
Naturally, it will be more convenient to visit all the sights in a rented car. It will be possible to rent it in advance on this.
Ferry
The island is connected by ferry to major cities in Italy, such as Livorno, Piombino and Civitavecchia, and from Sicily you can get here from Palermo and Trapani.
Climate of Sardinia
The climate in Sardinia is mild, Mediterranean, subtropical. Beach tourists rest here from May to October.
Sardinia Hotels
Among Russian tourists, hotels in the south of the island are more popular, since the bulk of them here are club-type with a vast territory, complete infrastructure, however, unlike Turkey, usually breakfast or half board. In addition, which is important, this area is cheaper than others.
You can choose a good hotel. Choose the number of stars, price, dates and choose what you like.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions in Sardinia
Well, there is nothing completely perfect on Earth. A beach holiday in Sardinia is almost perfect, but the sights are a bit tight. Lying on the beach all day long is boring, and a restless tourist can be recommended a city with beautiful churches of San Nicola, Madonna del Rosario and others.
Here you can get acquainted with the Middle Ages in the city of Castelsardo and go to the national park on the island of Asinara.
In the Bay of Palmas, the island of Sant'Antioco is interesting due to the very first settlement of the Phoenicians in Sardinia, besides, it is famous for its fabulous landscapes.
The town, in addition to the white sand beach, attracts tourists with beautiful caves, including the famous Neptune Cave. By the way, Alghero differs from the rest of Sardinia in the Castilian dialect, Spanish holidays brought here by the Aragonese dynasty.
Town Orgosolo stands out for its street art gallery, the houses are painted with scenes from the life of the island. Some tourists come to Sardinia just to look at it.
Olbia was once an ancient port of the Roman Empire, and many archaeological and historical monuments remain around the city.
Iglesias interesting church of San Salvatore, left over from the time of Byzantium, the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Chiara.
Sardinia for tourists
This picturesque island has a lot to offer for any tourist: breathtaking scenery, pristine coastline with deserted beaches and clear turquoise sea, exclusive hotels... Everywhere you go, there will be a stunning coastline with beautiful bays, amazing and not at all commercialized cities and villages with welcoming and friendly locals, mountainous areas with beautiful views of the island, refreshing lakes and waterfalls, and, of course, interesting history and magnificent architecture.
Those who have never been to Sardinia before expect to see a miniature replica of the Italian mainland. However, the second largest island in the Mediterranean is different. Yes, politically it is part of Italy, but it has its own character and cultural characteristics. What Sardinia has in common with its Italian neighbor is the same passion for food and wine.
History, architecture... Every city in Sardinia is unique
Located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, almost at an equal distance from the mainland of Italy and from the coast of North Africa, which provides it with a fairly mild climate. Sardinia, with its wide white sandy beaches and azure waters, can easily compete with the tropics. The location in the center means that over the centuries, different civilizations have made their mark on the island, from the Romans to the most recent visitors, the Catalans. Each nation has brought a piece of its history, adding something else to the island's unique cultural mosaic: Roman ruins, Pisan churches, Spanish cathedrals...
Seven different civilizations left their mark on architecture the capital of the island - Cagliari. The sights of the city include the Roman amphitheater and the Cathedral, which is a mixture of Gothic and Baroque. The capital, as it should be, is quite noisy and cosmopolitan, but Oristano more calm and elegant. Alghero, in the north of Sardinia, has a fascinating history and keeps the memory of its Spanish colonizers. A strong touch of everything Catalan can be seen everywhere, even here they still speak this language. The city has a delightful old center, which is a pleasure to walk around. Quite lively and attractive Iglesias also preserved the Spanish heritage.
Islands Sant'Antioco And San Pietro, off the coast of Southwest Sardinia, are charming and not yet too spoiled by civilization. Nautical Santa Teresa resort offers tourists all its attractions and a beautiful coastline without a touch of glossy sheen Costa Smeralda. Further east is a picturesque coast Palau and archipelago La Maddalena with the national park. Away from the coast, the landscape can be just as stunningly beautiful with its pastoral exoticism: forested mountain peaks, valleys of citrus groves and pastures with herds of goats and sheep. Traditional culture can be seen in the heart of the island, where older women are still dressed in black. True, in some towns, frankly, it is rather boring and dull. But most of the places are extremely interesting, for example, a small but beautiful medieval Bosa town in the west, with very colorful rose gold buildings, unpolluted beaches and wildlife. Or Orgosolo, famous for its murals - paintings on the walls of houses.
Sights of Sardinia
But Sardinia is not only sun, beautiful beaches and amazing landscapes. The culture, traditions and history of the ancient heritage add to the charm of this island and make it attractive all year round. Archaeological monuments are found throughout Sardinia and testify to its great past. In the south, in the city Nora, you can see stunning ancient ruins. There was once an ancient Phoenician center, which was further developed in the Roman era.
Strange stone buildings are scattered all over the island. Call them nuraghi- These are the oldest buildings in Sardinia. It is not known for certain when, by whom and for what purpose they were erected, but local residents believe that staying in these buildings has a positive effect on health. Maybe this is a common tale for gullible tourists, but many believe and conduct “recovery” sessions.
The beaches of Sardinia
Beaches with the finest white sand and turquoise-emerald waters, forested valleys, silent cliffs, cozy harbours, charismatic cities - the charm of a holiday in Sardinia is in its diversity. But still, the bulk of tourists come here for a beach holiday.
The north and northeast (from Stintino to Budoni) boast many beautiful beaches. The east and south coasts are also very interesting: Gala Gonone, Arbatax, Muravera, Villasimius and pool are great places for family holidays. Noisy, well-equipped, tourist city Villasimius is an ideal base from which to explore the southern part of the island. The west coast has many kilometers of beaches: Porto Pino, Marina di Arbus. The latter is famous for the Piscinas beach, on which 60 meter sand dunes rise. And, of course, Alghero with its underwater caves and grottoes, which attract many diving enthusiasts. The beaches here are magnificent: long, with fine white sand framed by lush vegetation. By the way, in Allegro you can buy coral jewelry, but you have to be ready to pay a decent amount for them, because prices start at 100 euros: what can you do, everything natural is expensive.
Some interesting facts
Everyone knows that the island gave its name to the fish. The sardonic smile also owes its origin to Sardinia, because it is on this island that a poisonous plant grows that causes paralysis with a frozen grimace of laughter on the face. Sardinia, along with the Japanese island of Okinawa, has the highest rate of centenarians in the world, perhaps thanks to fantastically clean air and a peculiar diet that even includes cheese with live fly larvae, which is considered a powerful aphrodisiac. It may be a coincidence, but the traditional greeting in Sardinia is "kent" annos - a wish to live to be 100 years old.
Ringo Starr visited Sardinia in 1968 on Peter Sellers' yacht. Listening to the captain's story about amazing creatures - octopuses, which arrange something like a garden of beautiful pebbles in front of the entrance to their caves, the musician was so amazed that he almost immediately picked up the guitar and came up with a song. This is how The Beatles' Octopus Garden was born. tiny island Asinara off the coast of Sardinia is home to a colony of 250 miniature white donkeys and, according to the 2001 census, only one person lives there.
Holidays in Sardinia are unique
Holidays in Sardinia are unique because this exquisite island is a magical mixture of amazing culture, magnificent beaches and picturesque landscapes that will surprise even the most sophisticated tourist. Read the book "Sea and Sardinia", which Lawrence wrote in 1921, listen to the Beatles, and ... go to Sardinia!
