Imagine spending the day in the kind of clear turquoise water you’ve been waiting your whole life to see. Then at night indulge in some of the best seafood Italy has to offer. That’s Sardinia. The best part? Sardinia is home to a lot more than the world’s most beautiful beaches and delectable seafood.

Pictures of Italy | Sardinia

Like a trail of prehistoric stone breadcrumbs, thousands of Nuraghe (ancient megalithic edifices) dot Sardinia’s landscape. Luxury motorcycle tours weave through endless panoramic views in the rugged mountains at the heart of Sardinia. Agriturismi, vineyards, wild olive trees, and fresh seafood provide authentic, affordable experiences for travel foodies.

Around it all, achingly beautiful Mediterranean blue. Here are 10 photos that best depict the balance of relaxation and exploration Sardinia offers.

Gulf of Orosei (Golfo di Orosei)

I rarely edit a top 10 collection to include more than one photo from the same location. Scroll down a little and you’ll see why the Gulf of Orosei demands exception.

Parco Nazionale (National Park) del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu, Sardinia’s largest national park serves as the backdrop to the real-life fantasy beach seen above.

Sardinia has over 100 beaches. Six of the most beautiful lie along the Gulf of Orosei. In tomorrow’s post, I’ll share more details about how to get to the most elusive and my favorite is seen below!

Oldest Olive Trees in the World

Olivastri Millenari is a grove of wild olive trees a bit off the beaten path in northern Sardinia. Here olive trees nearly 4,000 years old still bear fruit. Perhaps the fountain of youth is being wild.

Sito Archeologico Tharros

On the Capo S. Marco peninsula in the middle of the west coast of Sardinia lies Tharros. An ancient city turned archeological site complete with ruins, Nuraghi, and the most open sweeping views in all of Sardinia.

Nuraghi are Still a Mystery

See the tiny tower, high up on the hill in the photo above? That’s a Nuraghi. Thousand of these structures claim the best views throughout Sardinia. Built as far back as 1500 BC their exact purpose remains a bit of a mystery. Defense, religion, gathering or simply stockpiling no one knows. No excavations have been conclusive and so they remain elusive and somewhat magical.

Paolo, being Italian, didn’t struggle like I did to recall their names. Renuga… no. Nanuga… no “Nuraghi” Paolo would correct me over and over again as I would excitedly point out another one.

“Look Bello, another Nayugar.”
“Nuraghi!”

The rugged and wild walk (pictured above) to Spiaggia di Is Arutas (Is Arutas Beach) perfectly depicts the dichotomy of exploration and relaxation that is Sardinia.

La Pelosa Beach in Stintino

If you couldn’t guess from this photo alone, tomorrow’s best beaches in Sardinia post will include the beach pictured below. La Pelosa in the small but resplendent village of Stintino.

Quick Story! So there we were all alone, peacefully hiking As Piscinas “the pools” a site steeped in ancient history, said to have been a site of “magical-animistic cult” when we heard… cowbells? Sardinia is full of beautiful surprises!

A vacation is for beach lovers looking to do as little as possible in one stunning location. The goal is singular. Complete relaxation. While a trip is more for adventurers looking for an experience. The goal is expansive. Explore as much culture, food, history, and nature as possible.

The combination of everything Sardinia has to offer is what makes it one of the best places in Italy to strike a balance between a trip and a vacation.

Join us tomorrow as we share our list of the best beaches in Sardinia.

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