A Week in SW Sardinia

[u/AFriendFoundMyReddit]

Hello I am excited to explore Sardinia. As I have been planning I decided it's a good idea to narrow down to 1 region that way I am not driving all over the whole week. Currently I like SW Sardinia as I've heard its more wild, rugged, and real, and less touristy, busy, flashy, expensive as some other areas (Mainly NE)

I will be there for a week in mid September which should be an excellent time. I would like this communities help in confirming that SW Sardinia is the right pick for me.

I am late 20s solo traveling male from US

My ideal vacations are adventure and exploration focused. I would rather hike to a beach for 6 hours and stay for 1 hour for a swim and lunch, than to sit on the beach for 6 hours.

I like most water sports, like swimming, scuba or snorkeling, surfing, sailing, fishing or spearfishing

As above I also really like great hikes. I know Sardinia has amazing coasts, but the mountains look great too, I would love a nice mountain hike, and yes a hike to a secret beach sounds amazing

Lastly great food people and culture, the more real life and less catered to tourists the better. I love seafood too.

Do you think SW Sardinia is good for the above goals? Any recommendations on activities, people to see, restaurants towns, places to stay Etc.?

On my map there is 2 weird little red star things, those are the places I am leaning towards staying (cool agriturismo's) but all of that is subject to change based on learning more. I picked the one to the north, because I think there is good surfing in that area, but if you know somewhere better please let me know.

Thank you for the help and I look forward to experiencing your island.

[u/Raze_Lighter]

Let me tell you one thing. There’s no way you’re exploring that part of Sardinia in one week. A month yes.

[u/AFriendFoundMyReddit → u/Raze_Lighter]

Agree, If I stick to around the two marked places I think I could, each was less than 2 hours drive from each other and the airport, but Idk anything more north than Oristano. 

But yes for deep exploration a month sounds right.

[u/Giajee]

I am near Carbonia man, you should definitely check Iglesias, Masua and Porto Flavia

There are a lot of nice beaches over there like Cala Domestica!

Also in Buggerru I think there is a surfing school and in Sant'Antioco a kite surf school

Edit: more info

[u/AFriendFoundMyReddit → u/Giajee]

Thank you! The Grotte and cave stuff as well as the mine seems interesting. Some good beach and nature recs too and those towns seem very charming. Appreciate your advice.

[u/Freak543]

Oristano won't disappoint you. Youll need a lot more time though.

[u/AFriendFoundMyReddit → u/Freak543]

Thanks, good to hear. Any recommendations for things to do / eat in the area?

[u/FinocSelvat]

You can travel far in a day but I'd recommend choosing 2-3 places to aim for to not rush it.. if you don't mind curvy mountain roads there are beautiful routes between Ogliastra and SW coast, can end in Sant Antioco if you want authenticity

[u/AFriendFoundMyReddit → u/FinocSelvat]

Thank you. My plan is 1 week and stay at 2 diffrent areas so I can explore a decent amount, but not be traveling the whole time.

Ogliastra looks great, but do you think its to much trying to do that and the SW?

[u/FinocSelvat → u/AFriendFoundMyReddit]

I have family in both areas so make the journey reasonably often, it's 2-3 hours depending where you go.

If you take the old road (SS 125 "ex" not var, but maps will likely take you on the new road for most of it) it's an incredibly beautiful route through the mountains, as long as you're ok with curves.

I think sacrificing half a day travelling to see the landscapes on the way and experience a different area is worth it, and Sant'Antioco has lots to see in a very small area so won't need to do much travelling once there.

Happy to give further recommendations if needed!

[u/AFriendFoundMyReddit → u/FinocSelvat]

Thank you, going to consider this. Do you have an area to stay in in Ogliastra?

[u/malalalaika]

We spent 3 vacations in this part of Sardinia and didn't go anywhere twice.

[u/dolcemagia]

I would avoid Carbonia, maybe go to sant Antioco / carloforte, if you want to explore the south.

If you stay in the Oristano area (beautiful little city center) make sure you have dinner at Su Murruai, in Riola Sardo.

[u/AFriendFoundMyReddit → u/dolcemagia]

Why no Carbonia?

Thanks for the restaurant rec, that place looks fancy but its not that expensive

[u/FinocSelvat → u/AFriendFoundMyReddit]

I agree. It's a town that was exclusively built around a mine which failed and sadly hasn't had much going for it since, if you're not into heroin.

It's well-connected to nice areas which is the only reason I'd encourage anyone to stay there to save some money, but if you only have a week I'd recommending staying somewhere else directly.

Source: I am from Carbonia.

[u/marti__10]

i just wanna say i’m so happy you’re visiting that part!! my grandma is from Portoscuso, and the whole SW part of the sardinia is just beautiful, but unfortunately tourism is more often only centered in the northern part of the island

p.s.: you should totally try to squeeze in Masua, and Porto Flavia, right in front of which is Pan di Zucchero (a huge rock in the sea) which is totally worth even for just a quick look from Porto Flavia - breathtaking - and where a lot of people hike, too (if i remember correctly, there’s a hike from Nebida to Masua)

enjoy your time in this beautiful place and let us know how it goes!

[u/VonCrisp]

The Roman archaeological port site of Tharos is high recommended. Surrounding beaches such as Is Arutas are also good. Around 30 mins away from Oristano 

[u/Mediocre_Concept4176]

Cammino mineriaio, iglesias

[u/5abiu]

Do you think SW Sardinia is good for the above goals?

In brief, yes, I do.

When people ask for potential hiking itineraries, I always recommend the Cammino minerario di Santa Barbara, which indeed is the in the South West of Sardinia.

There are many potential hiking itineraries all over the island, but here I believe they have done a good job to make it easier for people to follow the trails on their own. There's a guide you can order online before departing and also an official smartphone app, to help you plan out your itinerary and pick the stages you want to hike. I particularly recommend doing the hike from Masua to Buggerru going through Cala Domestica.

Finding information to plan out a hiking trip in other areas I think is more difficult and may warrant reaching out to a local guide.

Regarding your idea to stay at the agriturismi you found, that sounds great. However, depending on how much you want to hike vs relax, it might be better to move from one accommodation to another as your proceed through your itinerary, to avoid spending too much time driving back and forth.

Regarding recommended activities in that area, if you like interesting engineering, go visit Porto Flavia. Also, in Masua, rent a canoe and go around or under the Pan di Zucchero. You mentioned surfing: I'm not expert, but I believe there are some good surf spots in SW Sardinia as well. I think there's a surf school in Buggerru, which might be useful to rent a board if you're not bringing one along.

Have fun!

[u/AFriendFoundMyReddit → u/5abiu]

I did not know about Cammino minerario di Santa Barbara, that will be useful for hikes. Thanks for the insightful comment.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Door332]

Just stopped in oristo yesterday. Only for fast charging my tesla. But both me and my wife was so incredibly happy to see some other part from north east with La Maddalena. Looks like the SW is more farmland. A Sunday afternoon was absolutely no-one outside in this village/city. But really happy to see it. Now down in Costa Rei that is totally the opposite. And just for your knowledge don't go here.

But single guy travel to Italy, I would say try to meet the beautiful Italian girls/women. After 2 weeks on this island i need to say that they do grow on tree's down here.

Hope you will have a nice vacation. But I would say go to small villages in toskany or the lakes in the north where there still is people to meet as a single traveller. Mountains in the north is incredible.

But what do i know, father of two married since 12 years. But do love my weeks per year traveling in Italy to eat and enjoy life like no one in the us can understand. People down here is so kind and I tried to tip 5 euro in a top 5 of all time pizzeria and they felt almost embarrassed over the amount of money. And we been eating the whole family for around 50 euros. Enjoy no matter where you go. Meet the local people who doesn't speak English. Eat where there is plastic chairs around the table. Meet the Nonna that is cooking the best food you ever tried.

[u/AFriendFoundMyReddit → u/Puzzleheaded-Door332]

Thanks, I will be in Italy for the full 90 days so I will definitely make it north and check out Tuscany as well. It will be my first time in Europe but I think I made a good choice with Italy. Very happy reading what you wrote about the kind people, the food and the lifestyle.

The women piece too, honestly whatever happens happens but trying to find a wife is a goal of the trip.