Hi

Has anyone been to Sardinia? What is there to see? Top 10 things to do? (Besides the beautiful beaches) We are wondering if we should include Sardinia in our three week trip to Italy in September? Is it worth going there for two days?

Thank you for any help you can provide!

We just came back from there. We stayed 6 nights and it was too short. I wouldn't recommend to go for 2 days. It is very beautiful and there are things to see. I am sure, you have heard of Costa Smeralda. It is very beautiful but overrated. I, personally, much preferred the South--Cagliari and Villasimius, where we spent three nights. The beaches were beautiful and it was very relaxing.

Which area, in particular, do you have in mind?

I really am not sure. I like beaches - the pictures I've seen with clear water are gorgeous but I wouldn't want to spend all day on the beach. My husband and I like to do lots of sightseeing. What is to see there? From what I've read - old towns, caves, sand dunes. Maybe 2 days isn't enough. We are in Italy for 18 days but pretty much had our itinerary planned until we noticed this island. It looks like it is sort of off the beaten path - which is appealing to us....

It is off the beaten path, especially, for Americans. I don't think we met any Americans there but there were lots of Europeans.

Cagliari is a very charming town, which is, certainly, worth a visit. We spent almost a day sighseeing there but we spent the night and the following two days on Simius beach near Villasimius, which was really nice. There is nothing really to see in Villasimius. It's just a little village. But I still found the area, overall, very nice and felt very happy to be there. The landscape and the beaches are beautiful. You can pack a picnic lunch from Villasimius and enjoy it somewhere along the coastline. There are nice views. I consider that sightseeing, too.

In the evening until very late Villasimius becomes alive, since many people go there for dinner. The food is Italian but they also have some local delicacies that are not so common elswhere in Italy.

On our way to the North-East (Golfo Aranci was our second stop) we stopped at a Nuraghic site (UNESCO heritage) called Su Nuraxi, which is thousands of years old.

From Golfo Aranci, we have visited the Archipelago La Maddalena and the town of Bonifacio in Corsica. We enjoyed both trips very much. You can do a lot of naturalistic sightseeing in this area, too.

If you are interested in towns only, I think you should seriously consider the area near Alghero and Castelsardo. There are some great beaches,caves etc. there, too. We didn't get a chance to go there this time but are very interested. If you search the forum, you will find information about these places.

Unfortunately, neither Frommer's nor Fodors have any books on Sardinia. The Eyewitness guide can give you a good idea about what there is to see. I was not happy with the Lonely Planet, maybe, because I am not used to it.

Overall, I highly recommend a visit Sardinia. It's a gorgeous island. Two days, however, is toooo short. I have heard that the island gets crowded in July and, especially, August. It was very nice in June.

Good luck with your decision!

Gina07-
What did you think of the Gabbiano Azurro in Golfo Aranci? What did you think of my favorite town?

Waldo:

good to hear from you! It was very nice. We also went to the restaurant that you suggested--La Spigola, and it was very good, too. We went there twice and thought of you both times. Thank you.

The location of the town is gorgeous, and the views from the hotel are beautiful. I had just one problem with the hotel's beach. It is pretty crowded and there are no waves at all because it's situated at a little bay. The water is very still. The beach where the restaurant is located is better.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay very much.

HI Mathvw

We have been there 4 times in 6 years and have seen most of the island. My advice may seem stange in view of the fact that we are in love with the place - pick a beach resort and there are many. Put your feet up for two days and relax.

IMO - the beaches on the island are the best in Europe and again I have seen most of the beaches in Europe! 3 weeks in Italy can be hard work particularly in the heat. The culture in Sardinia does not come close to that on the mainland - sit back and relax!

Where we you thining of staying its a very big island?

markrosy:

for our next trip would you recommend the West coast of the island (Alghero and surrounding area) or the area around Arbatax? I believe that Alghero may be more interesting but in terms of beaches, maybe, Arbatax is better. Thanks.

Alghero has an interesting cultural mix and the people are generally very different to those in Cagliari - We found Cagliari to be quite cosmopolitan (for the island) and the people a little commercial. Alghero has a big fishing culture and has close links to Spain. The city at night has a great atmosphere. However, the beaches are not great and can get crowded. Stintino is a short drive and has a beach to match any on the island.

We haven't been to Arbtax - its the only area we haven't visited.

Have you thought of touring the area between Cagliari and Oristano. Pula has good ruins which are also an underwater snorkel. Chia again has excellant beaches, the coast along Spartivento is stunning, the islands at the south end of the bay of Oristano have freshly caught Tuna like no other, the ruins at Thoros are immense and again apartly underwater then there is the Costa Verde.

I shouldn't eulogise too much because we did arrive at the end of a perfect day and the sun was going down. The dunes are huge - it is quite remote and the whole area has huge disused silver mine workings that have buildings with stunning architecture. The place is surreal.

There again as you will probably agree its difficult not to go and enjoy.

BTW when in Cagliari did you get chance to eat at the famous fish restaurant on the salt flats going out towards Pula? - it was an experience to remember. The waiters just casually wandered round offering free samples of every fish you could name.

Thanks for the info and all the details.

No, we didn't eat at that restaurant. We didn't know about it. Next time, hopefully. I wanted to know about restaurants and posted a question but very few people have traveled there and only Waldo replied. So, it was interesting to hear the opinion of someone like you.

Actually, for our next visit I was leaning towards the area between Cagliari and Alghero and maybe even further North. I think it includes Oristano and is very similar to what you suggested.

I agree with you that the best thing you can do in Sardinia is to relax and enjoy beach life.

Gina 07-
One of the more stupid mistakes I have made in my life is that which I could have bought the La Spigola restaurant in Golfo Aranci for a song. In 1995, my brother in law, who owns a great condo in Golfo, told me that we should get together and buy this broken down restaurant. At that time, it was a mess, it was abandoned, the windows were all broken, the inside was deserted and the roof was in sad shape. We could have bought the building and land for $7,000 US. I said that there was no hope for the place, so we passed on it. Some guy from Milan bought it and turned it into a gem. He spent less than $15,000 to fix it up, and had a huge success. He sold it two years ago for the equivalent of $1,600.000. How's that for a bonehead? Right now, my brother in law is probably having dinner there, and I'm stuck in Maryland, wishing I was with him. Talk about DUMB!!!

Whoops - two threads now relating to Sardinia - the place is being swamped -

to those who haven't been - it is absolutely aweful, it rains all the time, the food is foul and the people worse. By the way there a no sandy beaches and the hotels close 11 months a year.

There that should keep the place special and off the beaten track!