Known for its sublime beaches and clear sea, Sardinia is one of the most popular seaside destinations in the Mediterranean. But this large Italian island, the largest of which is Sicily, which is close to Corsica, also has mountain ranges of rugged and wild beauty, as well as fascinating archaeological sites. Here’s our pick of ten wonders to absolutely discover in Sardinia.
Beaches of Orosei Bay
Formed by the mountains of the Gennargentu massif, plunging steeply into the sea in shades of emerald and turquoise, the Gulf of Orosei is cut by crescent-shaped streams, backed by cliffs lined with maquis. Its coves are accessible by sea, but also by sometimes demanding hiking trails. One of the most beautiful, Cala Luna, is a long stretch of white sand framed by cliffs and lined with caves. The last beach of Orosei Bay, Cala Golorice, is perhaps the most spectacular. it is dominated by 500 m high cliffs and bathed in almost transparent water.
La Gola di Gorropu, the “Grand Canyon” of the Mediterranean.
Dominated by the Supramonte karst plateau in east-central Sardinia, this very impressive gorge is surrounded by limestone walls that peak at 450m and covered in vegetation, all with golden eagles in flight. Formed from the bed of the Flumineddu River, Su Gorropu Gorge is lined with majestic stone blocks, between which you can walk for about 1 km.
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The much longer and sometimes slippery (but very well-marked) path to reach the gorge winds its way through magnificent landscape, offering extraordinary views of Supramonte and the village of Dorgali.
Lanaittu Valley
This enchanted valley between the colossal limestone cliffs of the Supramonte in central Sardinia lies in the Oliena region, a small authentic village with a sense of austerity dominated by Mount Coras. Planted with forests of oak, arbutus and juniper, inhabited by wild pigs and goats, the Lanaittu Valley is a wild paradise that will delight lovers of hiking and archeological remains. There you can discover extraordinary caves such as Sa Ochen, Su Ventu (“sound of the wind”) and the mysterious nuragic village of Tiskali, located in the heart of a huge hollow.
Caves of Bue Marino from east to west
Karst activity in Sardinia has formed almost 1,500 caves scattered throughout the island. One of the most famous is the Grotta del Bue Marino near Cala Gonone in the Gulf of Orosei. Covering an area of 15 km and divided into two galleries, this cave is surrounded by small freshwater lakes that mix with sea water… Many boats offer tours in summer (reservations recommended).
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On the other side of the island, near Alghero, the Cave of Neptune immerses the visitor in a forest of stalactites and stalagmites, reached by a magnificent 650-step staircase carved into the side of the cliff. Capo Caccia.
Montiferru massif and its villages
In the west of Sardinia lies a volcanic massif of great beauty, a little far from the tourist areas, reached by winding roads that offer wonderful panoramas. Many trails lead through beautiful forests, surrounded by waterfalls and charming medieval villages. Cuglieri, with its narrow streets and its silver-domed church, is one of them, as well as Modolo, or the famous Senege, famous for its olive oil and beef.
Our advice
Back on the coast, don’t miss S’Archittu, a magnificent limestone arch carved by erosion 15m above the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
Sinis Peninsula
North of the Gulf of Oristano, this peninsula is a marine protected area with alternating inlets, lagoons and freshwater ponds connected by sand dunes. The beaches there are pure white, like Is Aruttas, with its white quartz grains revealing gradations of the blue of the sea. Its beauty attracts crowds in the summer, but there are many other options, such as bird watching around the Cabras ponds or going snorkelling. Isola di Male di Ventre. Inland, the village of San Salvatore, with its dirt streets and squares, has been the setting for spaghetti westerns. As for the Phoenician complex of Taros, it is unforgettable at sunset.
Costa Smeralda
Located in the northeast of Sardinia, this nearly sixty kilometer stretch of coast has been a meeting place for the jet set since the 1960s. The beaches between Porto Cervo and the very bling Porto Rotondo are sublime, particularly the wild Spiaggia del Principe. A few kilometers away, Cala Brandinche is nicknamed “Little Tahiti” for its very fine white sand and bay water. The hinterland of the Costa Smeralda is worth a detour for its beautiful granite landscapes, neglected by tourists even in the height of summer, and its authentic villages such as San Pantaleo.
La Maddalena Archipelago
The Maddalena Archipelago in front of the Costa Smeralda is one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean, classified as a national park. Its 7 islands and 40 granite islets once formed one land uniting Sardinia and Corsica. There is only one village on the main island and it is named after the archipelago. But the main attraction of La Maddalena lies in discovering breathtaking rocky landscapes by boat or on foot. There are countless beaches and coves, especially on the islands of Caprera, Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria.
Asinara National Park
Rising northwest from Alghero is the Capo del Falcone, a point that shelters fabulous beaches, including the famous Spiaggia della Pelosa, a stretch of powdery sand washed in a shallow turquoise sea dominated by the Aragonese Tower perched on a small island. Offshore is Asinara Island, named after the wild donkeys that still inhabit its shores, where hundreds of species of seabirds breed. Excursions from Stintino or Portos Torres allow you to discover this preserved ecosystem and swim in its coves in summer.
Mysterious nooks and crannies
Their truncated cone-shaped circular towers are a symbol of Sardinia, home to more than 8,000 people. Built in the Bronze Age by the Nuragic civilization, a people of pastoralists and peasants, these stone buildings remain an enigma. The most famous is Nurage Su Nuraxi in the southwest of Sardinia. The only place in Sardinia listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is famous for its tall central tower, built of massive stones.
Our advice
The island hides other interesting sites, such as the Montesso Necropolis in the extreme south, the Tombs of the Giants on the outskirts of Gallura or the Nuragen of Palmavera not far from Alghero.
Source: Le Figaro
