Sardinia

The island is large and situated off the Italian mainland in the Mediterranean Sea. It has almost 2000 kilometres of beautiful coastline, dotted with sandy beaches and fascinating marine caves. The centre of the island is more mountainous and is home to impressive national parks.

The capital of the island is the port town of Cagliari, a beautiful harbour town by the sea. It is also famous for the large number of Bronze Age buildings and graves found throughout the island. Sardinia is fairly big, with a population of around 1.6 million people.

Sardinia enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is in the summer months of June, July and August, when temperatures average in the mid-twenties and the seas around the island are equally warm. Spring and autumn are also hot, although there is a higher chance of rain during that time.

Evidence of human presence on the island dates back to around 6000 BC, during the Palaeolithic period. In antiquity, the Phoenicians began to encroach upon the island, prompting the local inhabitants to seek assistance from Carthage, which then became their vassal until the Punic Wars. Following the destruction of Carthage by the Romans, the Romans gained control of Sardinia.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Sardinia avoided occupation by the Arab tribes that conquered many other Mediterranean islands. During the medieval period, it remained independent, although it formed a political alliance with the Genoese city-state. Sardinia sought to maintain its independence amid the rise of larger European kingdoms; however, this proved increasingly difficult. Eventually, the island was conquered by the Spaniards and became part of the Kingdom of Aragon.

Sardinia remained under Spanish rule until the War of Spanish Succession in 1708, when it became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Later, the island was awarded to the Dukes of Savoy through the Treaty of London and remained an independent kingdom, apart from a brief period under Napoleon, until it joined the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

Traditional Sardinian cuisine blends seafood with preserved meats, reflecting the island’s rich agrarian tradition. Visitors can enjoy dishes such as ‘Pani Frattau’, a traditional Sardinian pizza topped with a poached egg; ‘maialetto’, a slow-roasted piglet that is beautifully succulent; zuppa gallurese, a traditional Sardinian soup; and fregola, small balls of pasta dressed with either seafood or meat.

The island is equally good for desserts, including seadas, a delicious fritter flavoured with cheese and honey. Sardinia is also renowned for the quality of its wines, with Cannonau and Carignano, both excellent reds, and Malvasia, a pudding wine that pairs well with desserts, to top off your romantic holiday.

The island offers the perfect combination of activities for the whole family to enjoy. It has a dramatic landscape, with a hilly, mountainous region in the centre and sandy beaches on the edges, making it ideal for active families who want to get out and about. There are numerous mountain trails for walking or biking, while sheltered capes such as Capo Testa are ideal places for children to play safely during the family holiday.

With its incredible sites, the island has a rich history dating back to the Bronze Age and is literally dotted with evidence of that, including the Bronze Age Fortress of Su Nuraxi and the Giant’s Grave. This, coupled with places of stunning natural beauty such as the stalactite cave, Neptune’s Grotto, and the impressive Gorropu Gorge, ensures there is plenty to see while you are there. Sardinia is also famed for the quality of its beaches, with Cala Luna and Capo Teste considered especially good.

The island has a more refined atmosphere, with trendy clubs in some of the larger destinations, particularly in Olbia and the capital, Cagliari. If you are planning an evening out in Cagliari, the citadel area is the place to go, having become very fashionable in recent years. If you want a more traditional Sardinian night, head to the coast with friends or family for a relaxing stroll, followed by a delicious meal and a drink, gazing out to sea.

Like most places in Italy, it is great for those who like to buy local produce, with a plethora of specialities to enjoy, such as local wine and pecorino cheese, a salty speciality a bit like Parmesan. There are plenty of open-air markets on the islands, including the Mercato San Benedetto in Cagliari and the Mercato Civico in Piazza, where visitors can purchase a variety of great local items.

The best place to shop is Cagliari, with Largo Carlo Felice and Via Roma crammed full of shops selling fashion, jewellery and much, much more.