Holidays in Sardinia - The Top 5 Cultural and Historical Sites to Visit

Sardinia’s jaw-dropping natural beauty and relative obscurity make the island a haven for the weary soul, which is why many holidays in Sardinia often focus around the many beaches and highlands of the island.

This lovely island, however, has so much more to offer for those that are willing to do a little exploring. Its rich history lends it an identity that is both separate from and intertwined with the rest of Italy. This dichotomy is one that is best experienced rather than described, especially when you take the time to visit these important cultural and historical sites.

Museo Archeologico Nazionale – what better place to get acquainted with the rich history of of the island than to head to the national museum? Various findings and artefacts will allow you to glimpse into the past of the island, from the pre-Nuragic and Nuragic eras all the way to the Roman and Byzantine ages. One of the museum’s signature collections is that of the wax anatomical models dating back to the 18th century. This all-in-one stop is a must-see, even on shorter holidays in Sardinia where time is rather limited.

Museo del Carbone – The island was actually a hub of coal mining before its natural beauty was recognized and tourism became the dominant source of GDP that it is today. This museum is thus dedicated to the island’s past as Italy’s coal mining capital, and is filled with various tools, instruments, documents and photographs all pertaining to coal mining. Lovers of geology and the natural sciences will find plenty to love if they decide to visit this coal museum on their holidays in Sardinia.

Teatro Lirico – this opera house is the island's premiere centre for the performing arts, and has won various accolades throughout its storied history. The ravages of World War II had destroyed many of the island's main theatres, and so the Teatro Lirico was proposed in 1967 and was fully inaugurated in 1993. It then won various awards in 2000, 2001 and 2005, and was host to noted conductor Carlos Kleiber’s last performance back in 1999. If you want to learn a little bit about Italy’s theatrical background, then make sure to time visit to coincide with a major production.

Basilica di Saccargia – Italy has long been a bastion of Roman Catholicism, with its proximity to the Vatican. The Basilica de Saccargia is one of the most notable examples of the island’s long history with the Catholic Church, as exemplified by its powerful Tuscan Romanesque architecture and design. With alternating stripes on the outside, and brilliant murals and arches on the inside, those seeking both lovely architecture and rich spiritual history will definitely want to visit the basilica while here.

Su Nuraxi di Barumini – many tourists put these puzzling sites on top of their must-see sites on the itinerary of their holidays in Sardinia, thanks to their mysterious nature. No one can say with certainty what these are for, save that they are large complexes with many towers and tunnels made from stones piled on top of each other. Su Nuraxi is one of the most prominent of these Nuraghe complexes and has been granted World Heritage status by UNESCO. Four corner towers and a central one are the most definitive features of the Su Nuraxi, and is one of the most impressive examples from the island's Nuragic era.

Make sure to visit these top five sites while on this wonderful Italian island, and you’ll be richer in both mind and body.

Helen Forbes is from Essential Italy, a company specialising in Italian holiday villas, apartments and hotels. If you’re looking for the perfect villas for your holidays in Sardinia, it can be made so much easier with our help. Our handpicked villas offer distinctive Italian qualities, great comfort and convenience.