10 best nuraghe in Sardinia not to skip on your next trip

Lands like Sardinia have always been shrouded by a fascinating mysterious aura, hallmark of a territorial identity shaped over millennia of history and rich in magical places that bear witness to its legacy.

Places like nuragic sites, primitive examples of stone architecture spread from north to south over the island, part of a past that today revives more than ever through tourism and culture.

A trip to Sardinia, in fact, is not just about the sea, the beaches, and the good life in luxury coastal locations. The most authentic Sardinia is above all passion and adventure, with the desire to experience true emotions while discovering the unknown.

If you're looking for all this, pack your bags and let’s discover the best nuraghe in Sardinia not to be missed on your next trip!

Nuraghe of Sardinia are imposing and conical megalithic stone buildings that date back to the Bronze Age (1800-900 BC), built primarily for residential and defensive but sometimes even ritual purposes, especially when erected near other typically sardinian archaeological sites such as domus de janas and tombs of giants.

Today the nuragic sites are unmissable attractions when traveling to this splendid island in the Mediterranean, ever present stages on the itineraries of the most adventurous and curious tourists seeking memorable experiences, to take back home with exciting memories and exceptional postcard-like photos, and often unparalleled scenery that make the background to evocative sardinian traditional events.

On this journey we want to accompany you discovering the 10 best nuraghe in Sardinia that are truly must-see, perhaps taking advantage of guided tours or participating in the magical events offered by the territory.

Best nuraghe to visit in Sardinia:

North Sardinia: Nuraghe Palmavera in Alghero, Nuraghe Santu Antine in Torralba, Nuraghe Majori in Tempio Pausania, Nuraghe La Prisgiona in Arzachena

Central Sardinia: Nuraghe Losa in Abbasanta, Nuraghe Santa Barbara in Macomer, Nuraghe Serbissi in Osini

South Sardinia: Nuraghe Su Nuraxi in Barumini, Nuraghe Arrubiu in Orroli, Nuraghe Diana in Quartu Sant'Elena

Location: 10 km north-west of Alghero

Nearest town: Alghero

How to get there: by car on SS127bis, by bus on line 9321 (to Porto Conte)

Nuraghe Palmavera represents one of the most important proof of nuragic architecture in Sardinia.

The archaeological site, built in several phases between 1800-700 BC, features a massive main tower and a bastion, from which a vast village of stone huts extends outward, including the famous "meetings hut", identified by researchers as a symbolic place for the site's social and community life.

Palmavera, beyond being one of the best nuraghe in Sardinia, it also occasionally serves as location for the beautiful concerts by JazzAlguer, art and jazz events part of Salude & Trigu.

Location: 6 km south-west of Abbasanta

Nearest town: Abbasanta, Ghilarza

How to get there: by car on SS131/E25, by bike on rural roads in Località Nuraghe Losa

Nuraghe Losa is one of the most monumental and best-preserved nuragic sites in Sardinia, a must-see attraction for tourists to the province of Oristano and for true adventurers.

Its imposing structure, built entirely of basalt rock between 1500-1100 BC, consists of a central keep and a bastion surrounded by a system of walls, testifying to the complexity and evolution already present in nuragic architecture well before modern technological innovations.

The surrounding area also preserves the remains of a large village of huts and a well, offering a unique insight into community life of this ancient prehistoric settlement in the heart of Sardinia.

Location: 1 km west of Barumini

Nearest town: Barumini, Tuili

How to get there: by car, bike or on foot on SP5

Nuraghe Su Nuraxi, located just outside Barumini towards nearby Tuili, is perhaps the most famous and important nuragic site in all of Sardinia.

Built between 1600-1400 BC (main tower and bastion), the complex nuragic settlement then developed over the following centuries until approximately 600 BC with a large village of circular stone huts still perfectly preserved.

Part of the Unesco World Heritage since 1997, Su Nuraxi is an exceptional example of prehistoric architecture and urban planning as well as one of the best nuraghe in Sardinia, a must-see location on any travel itinerary to discover this magical island.

Location: 4 km south of Torralba

Nearest town: Torralba, Borutta, Cheremule, Thiesi

How to get there: by car on SS131bis and SP21

Nuraghe Santu Antine, also known by its evocative nickname "Nuragic Palace", stands imposingly on the plain south of Torralba (Meilogu), in North Sardinia.

Considered one of the best nuraghe in Sardinia and one of the most majestic and complex architectural monuments left by ancient sardinian civilizations, it is famous for its tripartite structure that include an 18-meter-tall central keep and a bastion with three corner towers connected by straight walls.

The uniqueness and excellent state of preservation of the site, dating back to around 1400 BC, make it an extremely interesting destination and an extraordinary example of nuragic building, giving curious tourists a truly unique insight into the past of this splendid island.

Location: 6 km south-east of Orroli

Nearest town: Orroli

How to get there: by car and bicycle on SP10

Nuraghe Arrubiu in Orroli, dating back to around 1500 BC, is one of the most impressive and complex archaeological sites in Sardinia, a must-see destination for adventurous travelers every year.

The name "Arrubiu", which means "red" in sardinian language, derives from the signature reddish color of the basalt rocks used in its construction, clearly visible in sunlight. The site consists of a central keep surrounded by five other towers joined by a massive walled bastion.

The site, among the most beautiful nuraghe to visit in Sardinia, was originally divided into multiple levels and served as a defensive fortress and outpost. After the roman settlement in Sardinia it was also reused as an agricultural laboratory particularly for wine production, as evidenced by the remains of ancient tanks and pressing tools.

Location: 2.5 km north of Tempio Pausania

Nearest town: Tempio Pausania, Aggius

How to get there: by car to SS133 (to Palau)

Nuraghe Majori, located in the evocative granite landscape between Tempio Pausania and Aggius in the heart of Gallura, stands out for its panoramic position and its architectural peculiarities.

It’s a unique proof of "mixed nuraghe", combining the characteristics of corridor nuraghe with those of tholos nuraghe. Built over multiple different periods during the second millennium BC, it is based on natural rock foundations and features a central corridor that runs through the whole building and two lateral chambers with false dome roofs - one of these halls is famous for being home to a colony of small bats!

The evocative scenic beauty of this site and its naturalistic touch, given by the active presence of wild animals within it, make Majori one of the best nuraghe in Sardinia and one of the most important prehistoric monuments in the area.

Location: 6 km north-east of Macomer

Nearest town: Macomer, Bonorva

How to get there: by car on SS129 or SS131/E25

Nuraghe Santa Barbara is an impressive nuragic complex distinguishing itself by its excellent state of preservation and its perfect integration into the surrounding rural landscape in the countryside just outside Macomer, in the Logudoro-Marghine area.

Its structure, dating back to 1500-1400 BC, is characterized by a 15-meter-tall central keep and a 9-meter-tall bastion, with the remains of four corner towers and their defensive walls. On the ground floor, the keep features a chamber with three niches arranged in a cross, and another on the upper floor, accessible via an inner staircase.

Around the nuraghe lie the remains of other forts and a large settlement, evidence of a high level of civilian occupation of this archaeological site, undoubtedly one of the best nuraghe in Sardinia to explore on your trip.

Location: 9 km north-west of Osini

Nearest town: Osini, Ulassai, Jerzu, Gairo

How to get there: by car or bicycle on Su Taccu (from Osini, rural road)

Nuraghe Serbissi, located on Taccu plateau near the town of Osini, is one of the most beautiful and evocative nuragic sites in Sardinia, boasting a panoramic position overlooking the deep gorge of Rio Pardu and the Gairo mounts.

The complex, among the most important in Ogliastra and dating back to the Bronze Age (1800-100 BC), is a trefoil nuraghe made of a central keep and three smaller towers. Near the nuraghe lie the remains of a village of stone huts, evidence of the presence of an ancient settlement in this territory.

Serbissi is located in a larger archaeological area that also includes an important tomb of giants, a spring and a system of natural caves within the greenery, elements that make it unique for understanding the nuragic civilization and one of the best nuraghe in Sardinia.

Location: 15 km east of Quartu Sant’Elena

Nearest town: Quartu Sant’Elena, Cagliari

How to get there: by car on SP17 (coastal road), by bus on lines 101 or 135 (from Quartu)

Nuraghe Diana, located on a small rocky hill with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Cagliari, is one of the few remaining coastal nuragic sites in Sardinia.

Despite the nuraghe's relatively small size compared to other stone giants in the island's hinterland, its historical and archaeological value is remarkable for the southern coast.

The complex, built at an unknown exact date in the second millennium BC, consists of a central tower and a surrounding bastion and has given many archaeological finds testifying to its constant use from the nuragic age to the roman era, both as a dwelling and as an observation point for defensive and military purposes, given its strategic position directly overlooking the seaside.

Location: 6 km south of Arzachena

Nearest town: Arzachena

How to get there: by car on SS427

Nuraghe La Prisgiona, not far south of Arzachena in the heart of Gallura, is one of the best nuraghe in Sardinia and an exceptional example of archaeological complex, a fundamental testimony to the nuragic civilization in this subregion of the north-eastern island.

The site consists of a complex tholos nuraghe, a type of false dome structure not too common in Gallura region, surrounded by a large village of almost a hundred very well-preserved stone huts. Particularly interesting the nuraghe's inner courtyard, including a well over 7 meters deep and still functioning today, which provided the community with waters.

Its strategic location and the complexity of the site, not far from other key monuments such as the tomb of giants Coddu Vecchju, suggest its significant social and economic importance in the nuragic civilization.

It is undoubtedly one of the best nuraghe in Sardinia, an unmissable must-see location especially if you're planning a trip to discover the beauty of the northern coast.

Would you like to learn more about the best nuraghe in Sardinia to best plan your trip? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and information from travelers.

It's impossible to clearly define the absolute best nuraghe in Sardinia. Anyway, some archaeological sites stand out as unmissable destinations for different reasons: for example, Su Nuraxi in Barumini is among the largest and best-preserved sites in the region and it’s part of Unesco Heritage, Santu Antine in Torralba attracts visitors for its majestic and beautifully preserved structure over time, while other sites like Nuraghe Diana in Quartu Sant'Elena catch travelers' attention for their extraordinary landscapes contrasting between land and sea. Therefore, the best nuraghe in Sardinia is simply the one that best suits your preferences and travel needs.

Of course, it's possible to visit the nuragic sites up close on your trip to Sardinia. We recommend traveling in a group for a guided visit to a specific nuraghe, or with an organized tour to discover multiple sites for a truly comprehensive itinerary of best nuraghe in Sardinia. Given the inaccessible location of some nuraghe in the wildest areas of sardinian inland, we recommend traveling by car or motorbike (private vehicle) to move freely and enjoy the island's breathtaking views over sea, countryside and mountains.

To visit the best nuraghe in Sardinia we recommend planning your trip in spring or autumn, ideal seasons to enjoy the beauty of the region and its archaeological sites with mild temperatures and usually clear weather and without the pressure of typical summer’s overtourism.

Visiting the best nuraghe in Sardinia is the most beautiful and exciting way to discover the most authentic and profound side of the region, a true full immersion in its hinterland, its villages, its history and its culture.