Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in the Western Mediterranean, to the immediate south of the French island of Corsica. Population: 1.652 million
Flag of Sardinia
The four heads represent four victories achieved by the Kingdom of Aragon against the invading Moors: Zaragoza, Valencia, Murcia and the Balearics.
We spent the last 21 days between two islands, Sardinia which is part of Italy and Corsica which is part of France.
Our first stop, Cagliari the capital of Sardinia, we stayed in a wonderful Airbnb which was close to everything the city had to offer. The apartment was spotless clean and very spacious, the host is a great guy that gave us lots of tips about what to see and do and good places to eat. if you ever stay in Cagliari I would recommend this apartment, to find it on Airbnb look for “ROSINA House-apartment design splendid view”.
I will remember Cagliari for its amazing cheese, we went to Mercato San Benedetto wonderful markets, that sold seafood, fresh fruit and vegetable, bread, meat and cheese. We spent about 30min going through several different cheeses with one of the experts. We finally decided on 3 different types of cheeses Grand Pandano, Pecorino and the final one was a Pecorino with truffles running through it the best cheese we ever had. Another thing I loved about Cagliari, each evening the locals gather together in the square to dancing, it was the sort of dancing that everyone could join in as the steps where simple. I joined in myself, it was great fun for everyone.
The old, historical district develops around what was once the “Rocca di Castro”, a fortress dating back to the Pisan period which gives the area an impressive and medieval quality and the elegant Umberto I terrace, which commands sweeping views over Cagliari’s jumbled rooftops to the sea and distant mountains makes for an impressive city. Crowning the Bonaria hill, this religious complex is a hugely popular pilgrimage site. Devotees come from all over the world to visit the 14th-century Gothic church sanctuary and pray to Nostra Signora di Bonaria, a statue of the Virgin Mary and Christ that supposedly saved a ship’s crew during a storm. To the right of the sanctuary, the towering basilica still acts as a landmark to returning sailors.
Mercato San Benedetto great markets, amazing selection of cheese
Beautiful streets in Cagliari
Santuario & Basilica di Nostra Signora di Bonaria.
It has great beaches like Poetto beach, 8 km long which is only 15min from the city centre, the water is very clean and clear and great for swimming. From Poetto beach, on your right, you will see a beautiful rocky mountain the name is Saddle of the Devil, it has magnificent views over the sea to be enjoyed from its. Across from the beach the Molentargius Park covers an area of around 1600 hectares is a bird sanctuary. After 6 nights in Cagliari we hired a car and spent the rest of our time travelling around the island.
We stopped at some amazing places, Santa Teresa, Olbia, Alghero
Poetto beach
Saddle of the Devil Mountain
Olbia’s is based around Corso Umberto, a lively shop-lined street leading uphill from the waterfront. At the top of a low hill, it opens into Piazza Margherita, a kind of low-key hub of the city. We spent a day visiting 1. Chiesa di San Paolo is a church built on the site of an ancient temple, it has a beautiful multi-coloured dome and a handsome stone exterior belying its relatively recent date (1700s). Modern frescoes inside celebrate popular recent saints and religious figures including Padre Pio and Pope John Paul II. Olbia’s other significant church is just outside the heart of town. 2. The Basilica minore di San Simplicio is a Romanesque granite church dating back to the eleventh century.3. Fausto Noce Park is a favourite among the locals and tourist, there are lots of species of Mediterranean flora, benches, exercise paths, sports structures (tennis courts, football pitches, changing rooms, a small amphitheatre, and bowls club). Four fountains which decorate the park. We had a wonderful day. We stayed at the very nice Geovillage a sport wellness and convention resort, the pool area was very nice.
Chiesa di San Paolo
Basilica minore di San Simplicio
Fausto Noce Park
Geovillage
On the drive from Olbia to Alghero we stopped at Sassari to see the Basilica di Saccargia built in 1116 and the Fountain of the Rosello built in 1603.
Basilica di Saccargia
Fountain of the Rosello
Alghero one of Sardinia’s most beautiful medieval cities, is the main resort in the northwest. Its origins can be traced back to about 1300. The imposing town walls, the refined historical palaces, the old churches and harbour– together with the local restaurants, souvenir shops and bars make the old town the most vivid parts of the city.
The Neptune Grottoes can be reached by boat or by stepping down (the Cabirol Staircase) – with its 656 steps – which allows you to reach the Grottoes directly from the promontory, the view going down the steps is incredible the huge white cliffs with the amazing blue sea crashing against the rocks and the caves at the bottom make the climb worthwhile. Before 1959, the date when the staircase was finished, the Grotta di Nettuno could be visited just from the sea and, consequentially, only when the sea was calm.
We enjoyed a few afternoons on Porto Conte Beach and the lovely Hotel Corte Rosada which had a great pool area.
Alghero harbour area
Very interesting house boats
Steps down to the Neptune Grotto
Cliffs on the walk down to Neptune Grotto
Neptune Grotto
Santa Teresa Gallura is a town on the northern tip of Sardinia. The southern coast of Corsica can be seen from the beach. It is a seaside resort in a lovely coastal setting. The central square, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, is a large open pedestrian space lined with cafe-bars and souvenir shops, coral and jewellery stores. The tip of the promontory is crowned by a historic watchtower, the Torre Longonsardo, which you can climb to admire the views, there is also a beautiful statue of either St Teresa or Our Lady looking out to sea. I could not find any information on it. I think it is a new Statue. It is lovely to walk from Santa Teresa to Capo Testa lighthouse, there are some very nice beaches along the way and the views and rock formations from the light house make it worth the walk. There is also a very nice bar (‘sea lounge club) – not cheap, but just so nice to enjoy a drink and snack, it’s also above an amazing little cove – Cala Spinosa which is breathtakingly beautiful. We had to stop for a swim here.
St Teresa or Our Lady looking out to sea
Capo Testa lighthouse
Sea lounge club
Cala Spinosa
M doing his best impression of Daniel Craig
From Sardinia we took a ferry to Corsica. Corsica is only 12 kilometres by ferry from Sardinia