Sardegna: More Than Beaches
Sardegna is a beautiful Mediterranean island just a ferry trip away from mainland Italy. It is an excellent destination for beach holidays, for hiking and cycling, for camping holidays and for motorbiking. Sardinia is easy to get to from mainland Europe by plane or by boat.
Cities in Sardinia
Sardegna has three airports: Alghero, Cagliari and Olbia. You can also get to Sardinia by ferry from mainland Italy. Most visitors land in the cities but usually head directly to the beaches. However Alghero has a picturesque medieval old town that is well worth visiting.
Beaches in Sardegna
The beaches are famous for their beauty and offer many activities from sunbathing and snorkelling to windsurfing or fishing. There are beaches that cater for the international jetset, and there are also quieter beaches that are favoured by those who prefer camping or staying in a caravan.
The West coast has popular beaches that go on for miles. Piscinas is famous for its sand dunes. Scuba divers like the area around Alghero for its underwater caves. Costa Smeralda (the Emerald Coast) is one of the most stunning parts of Sardinia, and attracts many tourists.
Outdoor Activities
Sardinia offers a range of activities for those who like outdoor sports and active holidays. The inland hills provide opportunities for hiking and for mountain biking. There are hiking paths for those who like long arduous hikes and for those who prefer a relaxed walk. The limestone walls in the Domusnovas region are popular with mountain climbers. Motorbiking is another popular activity, and bikers from around Europe come to Sardinia to drive on the winding roads surrounded by olive groves, forests and small villages.
History and Culture
Sardinia has its own culture and history that differs from that of mainland Italy. The island was the home of the Nuragic culture around 1500 BC, and there are remains of the culture around Sardegna today in the form of nuraghi, mysterious stone towers. The Barumini nuraghi (Su Nuraxi di Barumini) is the most famous of the nuraghi and one of the biggest tourist attractions on the island.
One of the best parts of a holiday in Italy is the food. Sardegna has its own food culture, although most restaurants serve different types of Italian cuisine as well as local favourites. Fresh seafood is always available and the food is generally locally grown, healthy and delicious.
