In the heart of the Mediterranean lies Sardinia, a place
where the sun-drenched coastlines, ancient history, and vibrant
culture merge to create a tapestry of wonder. As an Italy
enthusiast, I've explored the gem that is Sardinia extensively, and
I can't wait to share my top 10 favourite discoveries from my
recent visit.
From the dazzling beaches to the mouthwatering cuisine and
the warm hospitality of the Sardinian people, join me as we dive
into the essence of this enchanting island.
Let's embark on a journey to uncover the true treasures that
make Sardinia a place of endless fascination.
1. Windsurfing
Not my usual holiday activity but tried it a couple of
years ago in Sardinia and it was fab! Sardinia is a paradise for
windsurfers with thousands of kilometres of coastline and wind
blowing from every direction. There are plenty of windsurfing
schools, so no problem if you are a beginner like me. For the
real experts, Porto Pollo near Palau is renowned as one of the best
locations in Europe! Oristano in the West, Villasimius on the
South-Est coast and the Costa Rei are also great spots.
2. Alghero
This town is amazing! I made the mistake on my first visit to
Sardinia by bypassing the town as it was where I flew into. How
wrong could I have been? I think it is probably the best town in
Sardinia. Beautiful old streets, quaint squares, a lovely historic
centre and great port. This is a perfect destination for eating out
in the many restaurants, sitting in the port with an aperitivo and
watching the world go by or shopping in the many cute boutiques.
Don't miss it!
3. Maddelena
The Maddalena archipelago off the coast of Sardinia's Costa
Smeralda is simply stunning! It's a quiet place of turquoise
seas and sandy coves. The seven large islands and 55 tiny islands
has some of the most spectacular beaches you'll find anywhere in
Italy with the most clear water.You can reach the island in 20
minutes by ferry from the Sardinian port of Palau and after a day
of relaxing, it's worth spending some time in the town of Maddelena
itself. It's a lively, sophisticated town, buzzing with bars, shops
and restaurants. If you are into exploring, then this is a
must!
4. Taking a Vespa
I do like to spend some time on a Vespa and although you
could do this anywhere in Italy, in Sardinia it really is
fantastic. From the bike you can really take in the island's
breath-taking landscapes and feel the salty breeze, whilst catching
some sun. It's a real adventure for a day away from your car rental
and the reason that I presser it here on the island is simple the
space and freedom and lack of traffic and congestion.
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5. The food
I love Italian cuisine - my Dad has a restaurant, so
it's in the family. What I love about the food on this island is
that its true Mediterranean cuisine with a wealth of strong local
tradition. Sardinia is by tradition a largely shepherd country, and
this is reflected in its cuisine. Staples are grilled or spit
roasted meat, cheeses, breads, salamis and olives. Flavours are
simple, intense and natural. You will be spoilt for choice with
restaurants but here are 3 of my
favourites:
- Kings is an excellent
restaurant right by the seaside in Alghero. The food, service
and atmosphere are amazing.
- If you are in search of a great pizza, Pizza D'Autore close to Cagliari was
really some of the best pizza I have ever tasted.
6. Villa Isanta
Whilst I have stayed in our villas and apartments over the
years, I really enjoyed our stay in Villa Isanta last
year. Villa Isanta is in a wonderful location on the
CapoCeraso peninsular and enjoys marvellous views across Tavolara
and northern Sardinia. I can't recommend this holiday
retreat enough!
7. Hiring a boat for the day
It's not as expensive as you think and you can often combine
with another small group. I think a holiday in Sardinia is not the
same without going on a boat. A day charter is often the most
memorable part of the holiday - swimming at a secluded beach away
from the crowds, snorkelling and just seeing the islands' beautiful
coastline and coves. There is no better way to discover the real
Sardinia, it's most beautiful beaches and bays!
8.
Stintino
I can't help but go back to this fab place each time I
return to the island. Stintino is a really quaint coastal
community filled with culture and history and well known for La
Pelosa beach. The town is cute and there are plenty of great
restaurants serving excellent seafood. The beaches are out of this
world - plenty of fine white sands which are lapped by shallow,
warm, tranquil waters and you can catch a boat to nearby
islands.
9.
Sardinian history
People just associate the island with sun and sand and I think
that's a shame. There is a great culture here with some
fantastic traditions, festivals and events. For culture vultures, I
would recommend visiting the Nuraghi, the beehive-like stone
dwellings from the Bronze Age, and can only be found on Sardinia.
Exact use of the Nuraghi is unknown, but many believe that
they were either used as religious temples, or military
strongholds. The most well-known one is Nuraxi su Barumini, which
has been declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. At
Tharros, near Oristano in the west, or Nora, near Pula in the
south, you can also visit Roman ruins as both sites are practically
open-air museums!
10. The
glamour of Porto Cervo
I normally prefer quaint and unassuming Italian towns but there
is something about the glitz and glam of Porto Cervo which is
magnetic. The Costa Smeralda, in the North-East of Sardinia,
is the favourite holiday destination of some of the wealthiest
people in the world. This is really the place to do the
'passeggiata' and watch the world, or should I say the yachts go
by.
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