6 Best Places to Shop in Sardinia, Italy

On the so-called Riviera del Corallo, Alghero has long been famed for its coral products, fashioned into elegant jewelry. This shop, with three outlets within a few yards of each other in the old town, has an impressive range of coral bracelets, brooches, and necklaces.

This smart store in the Marina neighborhood holds a cornucopia of original and eye-catching artifacts inspired by traditional Sardinian arts and crafts, but with an original modern slant. Particularly appealing are the vividly colored ceramics, woven and wooden goods, elegant handbags, and highly stylized sculptures of sheep and bulls. Ask about shipping items home.

Located within the T Hotel, the Istituto Sardo Organizzazione Lavoro Artigiano is a government-sponsored cooperative of artisans. Look for handmade ceramics, woven and wooden goods, baskets, metalwork, and beautiful gold filigree or precious stone jewelry.

Named after the nonna of the current generation that runs this specialty food shop dating from 1936, this place on the main axis of Nuoro's old town offers an enticing array of jams, wines, pastas, cheeses, hams, and bread—in short all the great food and drink that this part of the island is famous for. You can sample the various wares, too, in the adjacent bar/bistro.

Drop into this shop opposite the port for Sardinian food products, including local wines, artisanal biscuits, pecorino cheeses, carasau flatbread, honey, and olives. There's a great range of items, and the English-speaking staff are always willing to help you out.

Tonara, a short and scenic drive southwest of Fonni, is the capital of torrone (nougat) production in Sardinia. You'll find some of the sweetest and nuttiest examples in this traditional store in the heart of the village, all handmade and available in a range of flavors.