Sardinia Landmarks and Monuments

(Sardinia, Italy)

People have been visiting Sardinia for thousands of years and there remains a mountain of archaeological sites with excavated remnants of human life here. Strewn across the land are so-called Nuraghe landmarks - mortarless stone houses - as well as some impressive buildings scattered around the towns and cities.

Cagliari and Alghero generally have the best of the sights and monuments on Sardinia, including the stunning Bastion San Remy and St. Mary's Cathedral. You will generally find the highest number of interesting landmarks concentrated either in or around these towns. For hiking, check out Monte Ortobene near Nuoro.

Bastion San Remy

Address: Piazza Costituzione, Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, IT
Tel: +39 070 604 241
This huge, ancient structure sits just behind the harbour in the heart of historic Cagliari and affords stunning views over both town and sea. It is an imposing, grand building of granite and limestone and is highly photogenic, day or night. For the best views, be sure to climb up to the Umberto I terrace via a lofty staircase.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

St. Mary's Cathedral

Address: Piazza Duomo, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy, IT
Tel: +39 079 979 222
St. Mary's Cathedral stands right in the very heart of the old town of Alghero and close to the waterfront, and was a staggering 200 years in the making, beginning in the mid-1550s. This Catalan-style Gothic structure is best known for its unique bell tower and apse. The intricate altar is clad in marble and dates from the 1700s, while the mausoleum is also a talking point.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Ruins of Barumini (Sardinian Nuraghe)

Address: Cabras, Sardinia, Italy, IT
Lying on the mid-west coast near Cabras, roughly midway between Cagliari and Alghero, is Sardinia's possibly most stunning rural landmark, the Ruins of Barumini. These eroded ruins feature a fortress and many surrounding houses and are on a par with similar complexes in Greece. The ruins are best done by own transport, as they are somewhat out of the way.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday
Admission: usually free

Serravalle Castle

Address: Bosa, Sardinia, Italy, IT
The lofty Castello di Serravalle is near the quaint town of Bosa, between Cabras and Alghero, and hails from the early 1100s. With its long, square tower, turrets and well preserved walls, the castle makes for a decent stop-off or day trip from Alghero. Constructed by the Malaspina family, it sits above the medieval town of Bosa and is best accessed on foot from the town.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Anghelu Ruju Necropolis

Address: Near Alghero, Sardinia, Italy, IT
The Anghelu Ruju Necropolis is one of Sardinia's top archaeological sites, with an array of caves that were home to different people from as far back as 3000 BC. There are many excavated ancient tombs and homes here, along with plenty of artefacts such as the God Taurus statue. The site is about 10 km / 6 miles to the north of Alghero, on a Porto Torres heading.
Open hours: daily, November to March - 09:00 to 16:00; April to October - 09:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Necropolis of Montessu

Address: Montessu, Sardinia, Italy, IT
Located just a short distance to the north-west of Villaperuccio, the Necropolis of Montessu stands on the Sa Pranedda hillsides and comes with some intriguing prehistoric remains. The tombs number around 35 in total and were cut from rock, being of great archeological importance on the island. Some of the best preserved of the Montessu ruins include the Sa Cresiedda Church and the Tomb of Spirals (Tomba delle Spirali). Onsite excavations have revealed late Neolithic pottery dating all the way back to 3,000 BC.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Monte Ortobene

Address: Near Nuoro, Sardinia, Italy, IT
The island's highest mountain is a near 1,000-metre / 3,280-foot high chunk of granite situated a few kilometres from the inland town of Nuoro. This picturesque spot serves as a great place for picnicking and hiking, and can be reached by a trail from the town. Monte Ortobene also comes with a Christ the Redeemer statue at its peak - the scene of an annual pilgrimage in August.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free