Sardinia which coast

Again on Sardinia's northwest coast , in front of the Natural Park of Asinara Island , we can find one of the most famous tourist resorts, Stintino , which combines the charm of a lively fishing village with high-quality accommodation facilities. This small seaside town, appearing as a painting with its white houses and the contrast between the crystal-clear sea and light blue sky, offers endless leisure possibilities, from golf to excursions and scuba diving, from cycling to horseback riding.

In front of the well-known La Pelosa Beach is the homonymous Tower, a 16th-Century Aragonese structure, one of the oldest sighting towers in Sardinia. On the central-east coast of the island, in the Gulf of Orosei , are extraordinary white-sand beaches, and a wild and savage nature. In Cagliari , besides admiring the several colonies of flamingos of the lagoon, be sure to witness a few of the traditional festivals and fairs that take place all year-round, like the beautiful Festival of Sant'Efisio , one of the most important religious and folklore events in Sardinia.

Heading back to Oristano , top off your itinerary with a stop at the Roman archaeological site, Tharros, and enjoy its breathtaking view of the sea. Stintino offers endless possibilities for a leisurely vacation: golfing , boat excursions and scuba diving, relaxing strolls , cycling and horseback riding , as well as exploring the hinterland to admire the typical Mediterranean vegetation or ancient archaeological finds, such as the Nuragic constructions near Porto Torres.

Hundreds of traditional sailing boats arrive from all over Italy to race in the crystal-clear sea near Stintino every August. The Maddalena Archipelago, with its windy islands full of natural inlets and picturesque landfalls, is the ideal destination for sailing , but also for horseback riding and mountain biking - they are alternative ways to enjoy sunset on the beach, as well as natural sceneries amidst thriving cistus and gorse bushes.

It is worth taking a trip to the National Park of Asinara on the homonymous Island, considered to be one of the most charming in the Mediterranean Sea, full of colonies of white donkeys that still live in the wild. There is a wide range of activities to choose from and practice, of course all with respect for Park Norms: from trekking along thematic routes, to cycling , riding horses born and bred on the Island, sailing , guided scuba diving and even partaking in a rubber-tire train tour to admire the most evocative landscapes in the area.

In Gennargentu , an enormous and particularly beautiful mountain range, it is possible to undertake a number of activities, including trekking and excursions to archaeological sites, as well as skiing on the slopes of Bruncu Spina , one of the highest peaks at 1, meters 6, feet , and Mount Spada , with its skiing facilities and restaurants.

It contains two frescoes of medieval bishops, one of whom is thought to be San Simplicio. On the waterfront close to the port and housed in a striking modern building, the Museo Archeologico di Olbia has multimedia displays, Nuragic and Roman artefacts, with the remains of a warship.

Nuragic describes a culture peculiar to Sardinia that lasted approximately from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age. Their megalithic stone constructions are known as nuraghi, and many remain, including Nuraghe Riu Mulinu , an archaeological hilltop complex close to Olbia.

If you prefer a stay in Sardinia with interesting history , Olbia is a good choice. The first Roman colony in Sardinia , Porto Torres was founded in the first century BC in the north west of the island, and is still the port where many visitors arrive to enjoy the beautiful beaches. Outside the well-stocked archaeological museum are traces of an ancient bathing compound called Palazzo del Re Barbaro, a house known as the Domus dei Mosaici , and a Roman bridge.

If you want to stay in Sardinia but not pay too much, you could use somewhere like this as a base from which to explore the rest of the island. For more solitude, seek out one of the little bays along the coast. The gardens themselves give a stunning panorama across the city.

The cathedral dates from the thirteenth century , although little remains of the original. Saint Ephisus is the patron saint of Cagliari, and over the centuries, he is said to have saved the city from the plague and from a Napoleonic invasion. Today, the basilica is still a welcome landmark for returning vessels. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale is one of four museums, with displays covering thousands of years. A collection of huge statues, I Giganti di Monte Prama, are the only stone nuraghic sculptures to have been found on the island, and could be the oldest anywhere in the Mediterranean area.

Get the most from your stay in Sardinia with a couple of days to explore its capital, which has been shaped by many different cultures. Stay in luxury or plump for a budget hotel, guest house, hostel, or one of several campsites around the area. Located in the north west, Alghero is both an important medieval city and a prestigious resort , convenient for the amenities of the Riviera del Corallo.

Corallo means coral, so this is your go-to souvenir in the local shops. Its sea walls , erected by the Aragonese in the sixteenth century , still hold some crenulated towers and bastions. The cobbled streets of medieval Piazza Civica have become a modern hub, where tourists and locals browse boutiques, and while away the hours with a cappuccino, aperitif or artisan-made ice-cream.

Another stand-out church is the seventeenth-century Chiesa di San Michele , with its shiny majolica-tiled roof. The sixteenth-century Santa Maria cathedral has been much altered, but its interior contains some pretty pink inlaid marble, and an altar of white marble and gold.

Alghero is also home to the biggest collection of prehistoric grottos in the north of Sardinia, at the necropolis of Anghelu Ruju. Annual events include a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Valverde at her sixteenth-century shrine, San Giovanni Battista races and games, tennis and yachting competitions, and festivals of music and drama. Oristano is a city within the province of the same name, in the west of Sardinia. Il Duomo , as the Italians often call cathedrals, was originally fourteenth century, but has been repaired extensively.

The adjoining bell tower sports a colourful tiled dome. The nineteenth-century Chiesa di San Francesco stands on the site of an early building, and is now mainly worth a visit for its exquisitely-carved fourteenth-century Crocifisso di Nicodemo, and the sixteenth-century altar piece by Pietro Cavaro.

The old city walls are mostly gone, but two towers still stand, the thirteenth-century Mariano II, or Cristoforo, and di Portixedda. And as always on this ancient isle, there is an archaeological museum. The province of Oristano also is home to some incredible wineries and vineyards that are well worth visiting, such as Contini, lauded for its Vernaccia di Oristano white wine.

Stop by the Cantina della Vernaccia, located in downtown Oristano, to sample a wide variety of local wines! The historic center is brimming with charm. It offers a complimentary breakfast buffet and is just a few steps away from downtown. The one-bedroom and one bathroom private flat in Oristano is modern in design, with a nod at Parisian decor with black and white accents and photographs. In fact, the historic center is vibrant and lively.

Walk along the sea walls and make sure to visit the Campanile Bell Tower and the San Francesco church. On the hunt for some fantastic seafood? I recommend dining at Nautilus.

Brimming with Sardinian charm and style, La Marmora offers travelers a more authentic and artistic stay than other luxury resorts in the area. This affordable hotel is situated just a few blocks away from the historic old town. With Sardinian-styled furnishings and decor, all rooms almost seem to sparkle — each coming with its own private balcony, the perfect spot for sipping your morning cup of tea. Moreover, a generous buffet breakfast is served daily.

Cathedral of Saint Nicolas took over years to complete! Constructed between the 12th century and the 18th century, it displays a wide range of architectural styles. The Basilica di Saccargia, just southeast of Sassari, is a striped church made entirely out of local stone — positively delightful to visit. This picturesque boutique hotel will exceed all your expectations. It is held to the highest standard, with great attention given to every detail. At this romantic bed and breakfast all rooms come with a kitchenette.

A complimentary Italian breakfast is served daily. This penthouse Airbnb is for a private apartment in Sassari. Relax on the rooftop terrace and take in the panoramic views, or step outside and find yourself surrounded by the best local restaurants and hip bars.

Stintino is a quaint fishing village on the northwestern coast of the island. With a population of 1, people, it is situated roughly 50 kilometers from Alghero, but it is calm and peaceful. La Pelosa Beach is the most popular beach in Stintino and lies directly in front of the remote island of Asinara. Another beautiful beach is Le Saline, with its crystal-clear turquoise waters. Ezzi Mannu is covered with tiny pebbles and encompassed by Mediterranean scrub and lush vegetation.

Lastly, Tamarisk Beach is by far the least crowded. The rooms are spacious, and the location is close to the harbor. A complimentary hearty breakfast is provided daily.

This wonderful bed and breakfast is centrally located in Stintino, close to the port. Each room is decorated uniquely with traditional rugs, quilts, and paintings. The bus stop to Sassari and Alghero is mere steps away from your front doorstep, so you can easily get around the area using this as your base! This apartment has two bedrooms and one bathroom; however, the true shining gem is the private rooftop terrace that offers stellar views of Pelosa Beach.

Private parking is available, and the hosts leave two bicycles at the apartment that guests are welcome to use for free! Located in the northwest of Sardinia, in the province of Sassari, Castelsardo is a charming town brimming with culture and history, and where to stay in Sardinia if you want to soak up the essence of its history.

The pre-Nuragic colossal walls at Monte Ossoni should also be visited, as well as the nuraghe Paddaju. Castelsardo does have a stretch of shoreline with a few beaches, including Castelsardo Beach, La Vignaccia Beach, and Pedraladda Beach. Lu Bagnu beach, which is just 2. If you are in the mood to go sailing or windsurfing, head over to Punta La Capra— a natural pool nestled between the shore and the sea.

This hotel sits just 30 feet from the Castelsardo Beach. The spa is divine— the epitome of relaxation and luxury. Most rooms boast a balcony with a stellar sea view. This charming bed and breakfast in a prime location is close to everything you need for a truly relaxing holiday. The owners are kind and take great pride in providing guests a comfortable stay. The breakfast served daily is quite hearty! This studio apartment offers guests stunning views of the sea.

Keep in mind that the bed is a pullout sofa, which helps keep the price budget-friendly. This coastal area stretches from Santa Teresa di Gallura to Castelsardo. Costa Paradiso has lots of great scuba diving spots, and sailing and windsurfing are popular activities.

The bays of Li Cossi and Li Tinnari are probably my favorite! Lastly, if you feel like going for a hike, there is a trail around Li Cossi that will take you through woods, meadows, and hills.

This spectacular hotel is just a few steps away from Li Cossi beach. Enjoy relaxing in the salt-water pool and take in the stunning views from the panoramic sea-view terrace. The sunsets and sunrises are truly astounding to witness. A charming bed and breakfast that is a quick ten-minute drive from the Sardinia shoreline, it has a beautiful garden and a lovely pool to enjoy.

It is clean and comfortable and comes at an affordable price. Rooms are on the small side, but lovely. Your travel style To sum up, there is no doubt about the beauty of the sea and the beaches in the whole island, but before choosing where to spend your holidays, there is one fundamental question you have to ask yourself: what kind of holiday are you looking for? If you are looking for a luxury holiday in Sardinia , the Costa Smeralda is the right place for you.

If you wish to find peace and quiet and less crowded beaches, you can choose among many resorts in the North , which have just what you need. If you love hiking, snorkeling and bike tours and you want experience an active holiday in order to to explore a different bay everyday and walking in the mountains, the Ogliastra region is your goal.

Both the Southern and Northern beaches, with fine sand and shallow waters, are perfect for a family holiday in Sardinia. You can find several children friendly hotels with services and activities dedicated to small guests. Furthermore, the Sardinia Family Hotels are usually placed at a short distance from small towns and beach resorts with nice restaurants, lovely shops and boutiques. In order to discover the most traditional and fascinating side of the island you might explore the central part of Sardinia or choose to visit the island during the low and mid season.

If you are travelling with children, choose one of our Budget Family Resorts in Sardinia. Our fully customized travel experiences will allow you to discover new passions, tastes and perspectives in the most exclusive destinations of the Mediterranean.

North or South Sardinia? Information about North and South Sardinia Find out the main differences between the northern and southern coast of the Island From North to South , the island has some common traits: crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, a delicious cuisine and an ancient wine culture , welcoming tourist towns and inner areas where old traditions are still alive.