With its golden beaches, its crystal-clear seas, its rich history and culture, Sardinia is a place where nature and tradition blend perfectly.

Land of Traditions

Sardinia is a territory to discover in every season of the year, and even more during the spring and summer when festivals and occasions enliven the life of cities and towns, following the rhythm of the seasons.

An island rich in traditions, ranging from culture to gastronomy, passing through music, handicrafts, and popular events, Sardinia offers its visitors numerous experiences and opportunities to discover its most authentic side.

The Easter and springtime period marks the beginning of the festivities that follow in a calendar full of events.

It starts with the rites of Holy Week, deeply felt occasions, among the religious festivals with the Easter processions and the rituals of the deposition of Christ and his resurrection.

Following on May 1st in Cagliari is the Festival of San’Efisio, in memory of the saint who saved the city from the plague.

It is one of the most important religious festivals in Sardinia, held annually through the streets of the historic center, in a procession that sees the participation of thousands of people.

Highly representative of local folk events is the Sardinian Cavalcade (penultimate Sunday of May) in Sassari, with thousands of participants parading in the city center.

In July, in Sedilo, there is the Ardia, the great equestrian festival in honor of San Costantino, a frenzied race where riders test their courage.

Among the events of August, the historic Sassarese festival of the Candelieri and the Festival of the Redeemer in Nuoro (penultimate Sunday of August).

Particularly beloved by the Sardinians, and not to be missed by tourists, are the typical rural festivals that take place around religious buildings, usually in the countryside, where you can immerse yourself in the Sardinian atmosphere and enjoy typical dishes of the region.

Come and discover the authentic Sardinian atmosphere!

Land of Traditions

Sardinia is a territory to discover in every season of the year, and even more during the spring and summer when festivals and occasions enliven the life of cities and towns, following the rhythm of the seasons.

An island rich in traditions, ranging from culture to gastronomy, passing through music, handicrafts, and popular events, Sardinia offers its visitors numerous experiences and opportunities to discover its most authentic side.

The Easter and springtime period marks the beginning of the festivities that follow in a calendar full of events.

It starts with the rites of Holy Week, deeply felt occasions, among the religious festivals with the Easter processions and the rituals of the deposition of Christ and his resurrection.

Following on May 1st in Cagliari is the Festival of San’Efisio, in memory of the saint who saved the city from the plague.

It is one of the most important religious festivals in Sardinia, held annually through the streets of the historic center, in a procession that sees the participation of thousands of people.

Highly representative of local folk events is the Sardinian Cavalcade (penultimate Sunday of May) in Sassari, with thousands of participants parading in the city center.

In July, in Sedilo, there is the Ardia, the great equestrian festival in honor of San Costantino, a frenzied race where riders test their courage.

Among the events of August, the historic Sassarese festival of the Candelieri and the Festival of the Redeemer in Nuoro (penultimate Sunday of August).

Particularly beloved by the Sardinians, and not to be missed by tourists, are the typical rural festivals that take place around religious buildings, usually in the countryside, where you can immerse yourself in the Sardinian atmosphere and enjoy typical dishes of the region.

Come and discover the authentic Sardinian atmosphere!

Calendar of Events

• New Year’s Eve: Cap d’Any in Alghero; big parties in the squares of Cagliari, Olbia, and in the main centers of the Island.

• Carnival: the Fires of Sant’Antonio Abate in Barbagia and the Carnival in Barbagia with Traditional Masks, tournaments, and equestrian races of the “Sartiglia” in Oristano and the “Sa Carrela e’nanti” in Santulussurgiu.

• Easter: rites of the Holy Week in Castelsardo, Iglesias, Alghero, Sassari, and Cagliari. 1st of May: Festival of Sant’Efisio in Cagliari.

• Penultimate Sunday of May: Sardinian Cavalcade in Sassari.

• 6/7 July: equestrian race “S’Ardia” in Sedilo and Pozzomaggiore.

• August: Festival of the Redeemer in Nuoro.

• 14th August: Procession of the Candlesticks in Sassari. Traditional weddings: Mauritanian Wedding in Santadi (August) and the Ancient Wedding of Selargius in Selargius (September).

• First week of September: Barefoot race in Cabras.

• Autumn in Barbagia: starting from October in the main Barbagia centers

Territory

The territory of Sardinia is vast, diverse and sparsely populated. This has enabled the island to maintain almost intact itsheritage of historical evidence and relics and a highbiodiversity, with numerous endemisms both in terms of plant species and some animal species.

In fact, Sardinia is characterized by areas that still possess a wild and pristine nature, and a coastline that stretches for over 1,800 km. An island that thus hosts enchanting beaches of white sand and crystal-clear waters, but also mountains, rivers, and lakes.

The very aspect of the often rugged and mountainous territory makes the landscape continuously captivating.

Moreover, an important road network connecting the major cities to the quieter roads makes it possible to reach even the most remote and wild places.

Rich in natural resources, such as forests, natural parks, marine and wildlife reserves, Sardinia is also beloved worldwide for its particular millennial history and culture.

This is evidenced by the presence of monuments scattered in the countryside, in a suggestive integration with the natural environment, making Sardinia a kind of open-air museum.

Historical and archaeological sites in Sardinia

Among the ancient findings of the first peoples who inhabited the island, you can observe:

• The Domuns de Janas, which in Sardinian means “house of the fairies” or “of the witches”, are burials carved into the rock. There are about a thousand of them on the island.

These archaeological sites date back to the Neolithic period, i.e., between the V and III millennium B.C., and are characterized by the presence of small caves that were used as tombs and decorated with engravings and cave paintings depicting religious symbols and scenes of daily life.

The Domus de Janas are located in various areas of Sardinia, but are particularly numerous in the regions of Cagliari and Sassari.

• The Giant’s Tombs are collective burials. Dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, they owe their name to their particular structure that features an imposing stele several meters high in the center of an exedra.

These tombs get their name from the fact that ancient Sardinians associated them with the mythology of giants, believing they were built by these mythological figures. In reality, they were large collective funerary monuments, used to bury the deceased belonging to the same community or family.

The Giant’s Tombs are also present in various parts of Sardinia. Among all, we remember Sa domu e s’orcu near Quartucciu (CA), Su Nuraxi of Barumini, located in the province of Cagliari, Coddu Vecchiu and Li Lolghi, located in the province of Sassari and Su Monte ‘e S’Abe, located in the province of Nuoro.

• The Giants of Mont‘e Prama discovered by a farmer about fifty years ago are the largest “in-the-round” statues of antiquity. After restoration, they are displayed at the archaeological museum in Cagliari and in Cabras along with findings from the Nuragic, Punic, and Roman periods.

• The Nuraghi, the most significant architecture of Sardinian prehistory appears around 1500 B.C. The most accepted hypothesis attributes them a defensive role and territorial control. The most important site is Su Nuraxi di Barumini. We also note the nuraghe Palmavera in Aghero, Santu Antine in Terralba, the nuraghe Losa in Abbasanta and the nuraghe Arrubiu in Orroli.

• In addition, the Phoenician-Punic and Roman remains, spread mainly in the coastal areas, are a testament to the ancient dominations that occurred over time.

Tharros, Nora, and Bithia are the main Phoenician-Punic and Roman archaeological areas. Tharros is particularly noteworthy for its coastal position and for the presence of temples, baths, houses, and roads. Nora, on the other hand, boasts a beautiful Roman theatre, while in Bithia you can admire the remains of a Punic temple and some nuraghi.

A visit to the Sardinian archaeological sites offers a unique opportunity to travel back in time and discover the history, myths, and legends of this fascinating island.

Note: Always check for any restrictions or specific entry requirements before visiting.