Southern Sardinia

<< Sardinia

Southern Sardinia is characterized by a central plain that surrounds the city of Cagliari, while to the east and west are more mountainous areas. This region, divided between the Metropolitan City of Cagliari and the Province of South Sardinia, features numerous archaeological sites and seaside resorts.

Quartucciu

Quartucciu is a town located just northeast of Cagliari. Inhabited since ancient times, it was part of the municipality of Cagliari until 1983, when it gained its autonomy.

Giants’ Grave of Is Concias

The Giants’ Grave of Is Concias (Tomba dei Giganti di Is Concias) is an archaeological site located in the mountains east of Quartucciu. One of many similar megalithic structures in Sardinia, the site dates from the Bronze Age and features a large burial chamber.

Uta

Uta is a town located in the countryside northwest of Cagliari. This area was already inhabited in prehistoric times, and it is now known for its medieval church.

Church of Santa Maria

The Church of Santa Maria is a Romanesque church located just outside Uta. Built during the 12th century, the church features numerous typical Romanesque decorations, and it is regarded as one of the best examples of this architectural style in Sardinia.

Sarroch

Sarroch is a town located along the coast west of Cagliari. The area around the town houses various ancient ruins, but now it is mostly an industrial center.

Nuraghe Antigori

The Nuraghe Antigori is a nuragic complex located near Sarroch. The site dates from the 2nd millennium BCE, and was built on top of a rocky hill. Most of the complex is now in ruins, but a few areas can be visited. Several archaeological findings have been unearthed here.

Pula

Pula is a town located near the coast southwest of Cagliari. The modern town was founded in the Middle Ages and developed in the 18th century, but it is famous for the nearby ancient city of Nora.

✪ Archaeological Park of Nora

The Archaeological Park of Nora (Parco Archeologico di Nora) is located on a peninsula south of Pula, and houses the ruins of the ancient city of Nora. Founded in prehistoric times by the Sardinians, Nora was later inhabited by the Carthaginians and the Romans, and was abandoned during the Middle Ages. Various ruins of the town are located here, including a theater, some temples, and numerous other structures.

Domus de Maria

Domus de Maria is a tiny town located among the mountains west of Cagliari. The town is best known for the seaside resort of Chia, located in its territory.

Chia

Chia is a seaside resort located on the coast south of Domus de Maria. The village is known for its beach and clear waters, while a 17th-century tower is located on a promontory along the coast. Just west of Chia is Cape Spartivento (Capo Spartivento), which marks the western end of the Gulf of Cagliari.

Siliqua

Siliqua is a town located in the countryside west of Cagliari. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the town is known for a nearby ancient castle.

Acquafredda Castle

The Acquafredda Castle is a 13th-century castle located on a hill south of Siliqua. The castle is known for having been one of the residences of Ugolino della Gherardesca, a noble famous for appearing in Dante’s Divine Comedy. The castle is now mostly in ruins, but it can be visited.

Dolianova

Dolianova is a town located north of Cagliari. The town emerged as two nearby centers in the Middle Ages, which were merged to form Dolianova in 1905.

Church of San Pantaleo

The Church of San Pantaleo is Romanesque church in Dolianova, and one of the most notable examples of this style in Sardinia. The church was erected between the 12th and 13th century over a previous religious site, and also includes some Gothic elements. Inside, the church is simple but houses some artworks.

Villasimius

Villasimius is a small town located at the southeastern corner of Sardinia. Inhabited since prehistoric times because of its strategic position, it is now a famous tourist destination.

Archaeological Museum of Villasimius

The Archaeological Museum of Villasimius (Museo Archeologico di Villasimius) is a small archaeological museum in Villasimius. The museum is dedicated to local history, and houses ancient archaeological findings and some objects recovered from the nearby shipwreck of a Spanish ship in the 15th century.

Cape Carbonara

Cape Carbonara (Capo Carbonara) is a rocky promontory located south of Villasimius. Along the promontory are some small seaside resorts, as well as the tiny beach of Cala Porto Giunco. The cape also features a 14th-century fort known as Fortezza Vecchia (“Old Fortress”). Just off the coast south of the cape is the small Isola dei Cavoli (“Cabbages’ Island”).

Muravera

Muravera is a small town located near the southeastern coast of Sardinia. Inhabited since ancient times, the town emerged in the Middle Ages, and it is now known for the nearby beaches.

Costa Rei

Costa Rei is seaside resort located along the coast near Muravera. A popular summer destination, this area is known for its long sandy beach, and its clear waters. The area also houses a small lagoon known as Piscina Rei, and a rock near the beach called Scoglio Peppino.

Ballao

Ballao is a small village located among the mountains east of Cagliari. Inhabited since ancient times, it houses some old ruins.

Holy Well of Funtana Coberta

The Holy Well of Funtana Coberta (Pozzo Sacro di Funtana Coberta) is an archaeological site located north of Ballao. It consists of an underground temple which was erected by the Nuragic civilization between the 13th century BCE and the 9th century BCE, and it is one of the most notable structures of its kind. Various archaeological findings have been unearthed here.

Goni

Goni is a tiny village located in the mountains of Southern Sardinia, near Ballao. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and houses various ancient ruins.

Archaeological Park of Pranu Muttedu

The Archaeological Park of Pranu Muttedu (Parco Archeologico di Pranu Muttedu) is an archaeological site near Goni, which includes the ruins of several megalithic structures. The site includes a necropolis and several menhirs dating from the Neolithic.

Orroli

Orroli is a small town located at the foot of the mountains of Southern Sardinia. The town is known for hosting one of the most notable nuraghes of Sardinia.

Nuraghe Arrubiu

The Nuraghe Arrubiu is an archaeological complex located near Orroli. The site includes a large nuraghe built around the 15th century BCE, and was probably one of the tallest structures in Bronze Age Europe. This was also one of the largest structures of its time, but now it stands in ruins.

Serri

Serri is a village in the countryside of Southern Sardinia, best known for the ancient nuragic complex located nearby.

Nuragic Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria

The Nuragic Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria (Santuario Nuragico di Santa Vittoria) is a large nuragic complex located near Serri. The complex was erected in the Bronze Age, and it is one of the most notable structures built by the Nuragic civilization. The complex houses various buildings, including various nuraghes and several temples.

Isili

Isili is a small town located just north of Serri in South Sardinia. Similarly to other nearby towns, it is known for housing some ancient ruins.

Nuraghe Is Paras

The Nuraghe Is Paras is a nuraghe located just outside Isili. Built in the 15th century BCE, it features one of the largest tholos structures in Sardinia, and it might have been the tallest dome in the world when it was constructed.

Esterzili

Esterzili is a small village located among the mountains of Sardinia. Inhabited since ancient times, it houses some ancient structures in its territory.

Temple of Domu de Orgia

The Temple of Domu de Orgia (Tempio di Domu de Orgia) is a megalithic structure located near Esterzili. Built by the Nuragic civilization during the Bronze Age, this temple is located at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, and it is the largest structure of its kind in Sardinia.