Northeastern Sardinia

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Northeastern Sardinia is best known for its several seaside resorts, which are among the most popular in all of Italy. Centered around the cities of Olbia on the coast and Tempio Pausania in the interior, this area features numerous summer destinations, but also various historic sites. Most of this area is part of the historic region of Gallura.

Olbia

Olbia is the largest city in Northeastern Sardinia, located on a small bay along the coast. Founded in prehistoric times, it was an important center under the Romans, and in the Middle Ages it was the capital of the Judicate of Gallura. Known for centuries as Civita, it took its ancient Roman name of Olbia in 1939. Now it is an important port and an industrial center, but it also features historic landmarks and natural attractions.

✪ Tavolara

Tavolara is an island located off the northeastern coast of Sardinia near Olbia. Visited since ancient times, the island is a large limestone massif, and it is known for its peculiar shape and beautiful environment. The island is part of a nature reserve, and houses a small seaside resort and some beaches.

Basilica of San Simplicio

The Basilica of San Simplicio is the main church of Olbia. It was erected in the 11th century to replace a previous church and features a Romanesque structure. The interior is simple, and houses traces of ancient frescoes.

Archaeological Museum of Olbia

The Archaeological Museum of Olbia (Museo Archeologico di Olbia) is an archaeological museum located on a tiny island in the port of Olbia. The museum is dedicated to local history, and features various archaeological findings unearthed here, including the relic of a Roman vessel.

Church of San Paolo

The Church of San Paolo is a historic church in Olbia. Originally built in the Middle Ages, it was reworked in Baroque style during the 18th century. The church is best known for its dome adorned with colorful tiles.

Porto Rotondo

Porto Rotondo is a seaside resort located north of Olbia. One of the most popular and expensive summer destinations in Sardinia, it is known for its clear waters and beautiful beaches, and for being often visited by wealthy tourists.

Golfo Aranci

Golfo Aranci is a seaside resort located along a narrow peninsula north of Olbia. The town has developed since the 19th century, first as a fishing port and then as a tourist destination. Now it is a popular summer resort.

Beaches of Golfo Aranci

Golfo Aranci is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and its clear waters, which made it one of the most popular summer resorts in Sardinia. The beaches are located along the seafront of the town, but also on the coast of the nearby rocky promontory of Cape Figari (Capo Figari).

Arzachena

Arzachena is a town located in Northeastern Sardinia, and the second largest center in the area. Inhabited since ancient times, it houses numerous archaeological sites, but now it is best known for its seaside resorts.

✪ Porto Cervo

Porto Cervo is a seaside resort located in Northeastern Sardinia, and the main center of the gorgeous coast known as Costa Smeralda (“Emerald Coast”). The village was only built in the mid 20th century and features a peculiar architecture. Porto Cervo is mostly a destination for wealthy tourists, as it is one of the most luxurious resorts in Europe and houses some of the most expensive hotels in the world.

Church of Santa Lucia

The Church of Santa Lucia is a church located on top of a hill in Arzachena. While the church itself is simple, the long staircase leading to it is richly painted. A great view on the town can ben enjoyed from the church.

Giants’ Grave of Li Lolghi

The Giants’ Grave of Li Lolghi (Tomba dei Giganti di Li Lolghi) is a prehistoric tomb located west of Arzachena. The site was originally built during the early Bronze Age, and was later expanded by the Nuragic civilization.

Necropolis of Li Muri

The Necropolis of Li Muri (Necropoli di Li Muri) is an ancient necropolis located in the countryside west of Arzachena. The site dates from the Neolithic and features the ruins of various large tombs. Several archaeological findings have been unearthed here.

Giants’ Grave of Coddu Vecchiu

The Giants’ Grave of Coddu Vecchiu (Tomba dei Giganti di Coddu Vecchiu) is an ancient tomb located in the countryside near Arzachena. The site, which is one of the largest prehistoric tombs in Sardinia, was built by the Nuragic civilization during the Bronze Age.

Nuraghe La Prisgiona

The Nuraghe La Prisgiona is an archaeological site located southwest of Arzachena. The site houses a nuragic complex built during the 2nd millennium BCE, which consists of an imposing central towers surrounded by the ruins of a prehistoric village.

Nuraghe Albucciu

The Nuraghe Albucciu is a nuragic complex located just east of Arzachena. The complex includes some tombs, the ruins of a prehistoric village, and a nuraghe. The nuraghe is notable for its structure, which has a flat roof, unlike the usual tholos shape of other similar buildings.

Nuragic Complex of Malchittu

The Nuragic Complex of Malchittu (Complesso Nuragico di Malchittu) is an archaeological site east of Arzachena. The site dates from the Bronze Age, and includes a temple, a nuraghe, some tombs, and the ruins of a few other structures.

Palau

Palau is a town located along the coast of Northeastern Sardinia. While the area has been inhabited sicne ancient times, the town was only founded in 1875, and it has since developed as a summer resort. Just off the coast of Palau is the archipelago of La Maddalena.

L’Isuledda

L’Isuledda is a small peninsula barely connected to the rest of Sardinia west of Palau. The area features a summer resort and it is known for its beautiful environment. Just on the other side of the narrow isthmus that connects L’Isuledda to Sardinia is the seaside resort of Porto Puddu.

Bear’s Rock

The Bear’s Rock (Roccia dell’Orso) is a peculiar rock formation located on top of a promontory east of Palau. Known for its bizarre shape that resembles a bear, the rock is a popular tourist destination, and the symbol of the town.

Santa Teresa Gallura

Santa Teresa Gallura is a seaside town located at the northern tip of Sardinia. Founded in ancient times, it has been a small regional center since the Roman age, and it has recently developed as a tourist destination.

Beaches of Santa Teresa Gallura

Santa Teresa Gallura is best known as a summer resort, and features various beautiful beaches with crystal waters, which also often offer a view toward Corsica. One of the most popular areas is the small peninsula of Cape Testa (Capo Testa), located west of the town.

Nuragic Complex of Lu Brandali

The Nuragic Complex of Lu Brandali (Complesso Nuragico di Lu Brandali) is an archaeological site located near Santa Teresa Gallura. The complex features the ruins of a prehistoric village, with a nuraghe, various tombs, and some other ancient structures built during the Bronze Age.

Tempio Pausania

Tempio Pausania is a town located among the mountains of Northeastern Sardinia. Inhabited since ancient times, the town emerged in the Late Middle Ages, and it has been for centuries one of the main centers in the area.

Tempio Pausania Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Pietro (Cattedrale di San Pietro)

The Tempio Pausania Cathedral is the main church of Tempio Pausania, located at the center of the city. The church was built in the Late Middle Ages, and was later reworked with Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical additions. Inside, the church houses some artworks and decorations. Adjacent to the cathedral is the Romanesque Church of Santa Croce.

Aggius

Aggius is a small town located among the mountains of Gallura, northwest of Tempio Pausania. Founded in ancient times, it is known for its medieval old town.

Banditry Museum

The Banditry Museum (Museo del Banditismo) is a museum of local history in Aggius. The museum is dedicated to the history of banditry in Gallura, which was rampant for centuries, and features various exhibtions and a collection of weapons.

Ethnographic Museum Oliva Carta Cannas

The Ethnographic Museum Oliva Carta Cannas (Museo Etnografico Oliva Carta Cannas) is an ethnographic museum in Aggius. The museum is one of the largest of its kind in Sardinia, and houses various historic objects and exhibitions showcasing local culture.