The Most Beautiful Excursions in Sardinia
Beyond the beaches, Sardinia has plenty to offer: striking islands, millennia-old structures, and spectacular caves. A selection of excursions worth a full day.
Isola Tavolara (Northeast)
Right off San Teodoro rises a limestone rock nearly six kilometres long: the island of Tavolara, whose massif reaches almost 600 metres. In season, boats leave from Porto San Paolo to the island and around it, often combined with a snorkeling stop. Curiously, in the 19th century the island is said to have been officially declared an independent kingdom.
La Maddalena Archipelago (North)
Off Palau lies an archipelago of seven main islands with powder-white coves and crystal-clear water, today a national park. Boat trips from Palau are the classic way to explore the island group – a highlight is usually the bay of Cala Coticcio on Caprera, nicknamed "Tahiti" for its colours.
Grotte di Nettuno (Northwest)
About 25 kilometres from Alghero lies one of Italy's most impressive stalactite caves: vast chambers with stalactites and stalagmites around an underground lake. The cave can be reached either by boat from Alghero or on foot via the "Escala del Cabirol" – a spectacular staircase of 654 steps carved into the cliff along the coast.
Su Nuraxi di Barumini (Inland)
The island's most impressive surviving nuraghe complex: a Bronze Age tower fortress with four corner towers and a surrounding village, inhabited from the 13th to the 6th century BC. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, and a good reason to see the less touristy interior of the island too.
Cagliari's Old Town (South)
The island's capital gets skipped by many travellers – unfairly. The historic Castello district sits on a hill above the city and offers views over the Golfo di Cagliari, plus a Roman amphitheatre and narrow lanes away from the coastal resorts.