Stintino, La Pelosa, Porto Cervo… who doesn’t know these places? Who doesn’t immediately associate the sound of these names with sparkling beaches overlooking a crystalline sea with spectacular seabeds? Sardinia in general has been a tourist destination for centuries, but northern Sardinia is the absolute legend of international tourism. Wealthy people, movie stars, and politicians come here to relax, increasingly creating the “trend” of VIP beaches. But limiting northern Sardinia to “sand, sun and sea” is wrong. This land offers varied and beautiful scenery, also in terms of history and adventure. We’ll tell you about it through some places, both iconic and less-known, focusing on three cities in particular.
Olbia
When visiting northern Sardinia, you usually land at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) and continue exploring the city with its medieval churches (the Basilica of St Simplicio above all), its Art Nouveau palaces and villas, the Pedres Castle, the Nuragic and Roman archaeological sites in the surrounding countryside. Do not miss the village of San Pantaleo, about a 20-minute drive away. This place is home to artists and musicians who find inspiration among the granite rocks and unspoiled nature. Mass and elite tourists mostly flock to enjoy the beaches of the gulf of Olbia, particularly Porto Cervo, Porto San Paolo, and San Teodoro.
Two “hidden” places you can visit not far from Olbia are Luras and Murta Maria. Luras is a tiny rural town located at a 40-minute drive from Olbia. It boasts numerous dolmens scattered around, but its main monument is S’Ozzastru, a giant 3000-year-old olive tree and one of the oldest trees in Europe! Murta Maria is a fishing village located near Porto Istana beach, with equally beautiful beaches, though less frequented by tourists and therefore more authentic and quiet.
For those seeking adventure, climbing Munt Pino might be a good idea. Located a half-hour drive from Olbia’s city center, it can be explored along trails immersed in dense forests. The reward for your efforts, at the top, is a breathtaking view of the entire gulf and the city. You might also want to treat yourself to a trip to Tavolara Island, a flat land of eroded limestone just a few miles from Porto San Paolo, accessible by boat, with the option of diving too.
Sassari
Sassari is the fifth-largest municipality in Italy and the largest in Sardinia. You’ll need to spend at least a week here just to get to know the town well. Numerous churches, mainly medieval (many restored in the 17th century), make up Sassari’s historical heritage, along with the “Gothic Houses” on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the many Venetian-style and Catalan-style palaces, and other monuments such as the Ancient Walls, Sassari Castle, and the Necropolises (Montalè, Pontesecco, Li Curuneddi). Nuragic sites such as Monte D’Accoddi and Rumanedda are also worth a visit. Sassari’s coast is famous and can be summed up in a single name: Porto Torres, at the center of the gulf that also includes Stintino, Castelsardo, and Asinara.
If you’re looking for a less mundane and more authentic Sassari, we invite you to discover the village of Sedini, about a 45-minute drive from Sassari. It literally emerges from the rock and boasts the largest “Domus de Janas” (house dug into a mountain) in all of Sardinia. It’s also worth visiting their Ethnographic Museum and the nearby Elephant Rock… a veritable pachyderm sculpted by the elements. About the same distance lies the ghost town of Rebeccu, while about 20 minutes from the center of Sassari you can admire the ancient wash-fountain of Majori.
An unforgettable adventure in the Sassari area can be experienced along the trails and holm oak forests of Valle Logulentu, or by climbing Mount Oro (with a panoramic view of the entire gulf), or by braving the rugged beauty of Asinara National Park.
Alghero
Alghero is also known as Barceloneda… little Barcelona… not only for its typically Spanish architecture, but also for the Catalan language and culture which are still alive and used today. A guardian of ancient history – thanks to its magnificent churches (the Cathedral, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St Francis, St Michael, St Anna…), palaces, and especially its still-excellently preserved medieval towers and bastions – Alghero also boasts beaches unlike any other in the world! Celebrities adore the white sands of Bombarda beach, while at Mugoni, Porto Ferro, and Speranza you’ll feel like in the Caribbean!
Lesser-known destinations in the Alghero area are medieval villages such as Osilo (an hour’s drive), which still boasts its precious Malaspina Castle, or Monteleone Rocca Doria, perched atop Su Monte hill; in Laccaneddu (half an hour drive from Alghero), you can admire a little-known archaeological site called the Giants’ Tomb. Just 7 km from the city lies the ancient (now abandoned) farmhouse of Surigheddu and the nearby lake created by an artificial dam.
For a more adventurous experience, we suggest a day spent in nature at Porto Conte Park, scuba diving at Capo Caccia, or the spectacular Neptune’s Grottos, located 24 km from the center of Sassari.
