What to see and what to do in Sennori, hidden gem in North Sardinia

Sennori is a village of the historic region of Romangia, a territory in the North of Sardinia, ten kilometres from Sassari, offering a beautiful panorama of the Gulf of Asinara.

It is located in an area famous for producing oil and wine, Sennori also boasting an exciting handicraft tradition, especially for the creation of some of the most precious traditional dresses in Sardinia, ancient historical testimonies and noteworthy cultural events.

Enjoy this detailed guide on what to see and what to do in Sennori and get ready for a fantastic journey discovering this jewel of North Sardinia!

A Mistral breeze blows through the branches of the Romangia olive trees and creeps between the rows of vines. Sennori, unfolding on the top of the hill, dominates the landscape as if it wanted to admire it.

By day a view as far as the eye can see over the countryside, the nearby village of Sorso and the Gulf of Asinara, by night a harmony of bright lights that create a completely different spectacle.

This is Romangia, with its appearance of sinuous limestone relief, a land of vineyards mixed with olive groves that descend to the sea. Here one of the oldest terroirs in Italy gives life to precious wines that derive from a tradition thousands of years old. In these wines with a strong flavour, one perceives the essence of grapes born from the sand, the beating sun, and the saltiness carried by the wind.

Sennori is right here, in the north-western Sardinia, halfway between Castelsardo and Porto Torres and 40 kilometres from the famous Stintino. Behind it are the rocky peaks of Osilo and before your eyes the immense blue of the sea.

Do you wanna know everything about this wonderful land? Check out our super guide to North Sardinia.

A piece of its history, of its soul, enclosed within the craftsmanship of a people. In the weaves and designs of the wicker baskets typical of many towns on the island, one can read a little of Sardinian soul.

These ancient and precious skills have been handed down like treasures for generations since prehistoric ages. The skilled hands of craftsmen create wonderful ones with different shapes according to their function, mixing coloured inserts, designs and traditional motifs.

In Sennori the art of weaving is very important and here the raw material par excellence is asphodel. A technique handed down by women, who sitting on the doorstep in many Sardinian villages created little masterpieces, today icon of a local culture and identity.

Let's continue with another story of craftsmanship and weaving, but this time the protagonists are gold and fabrics, the 'ingredients' to create the traditional dress of Sennori (pictured, original photo by Gianni Careddu), one of the most colourful and original Sardinian costumes.

It boasts no less than four women's variations, among the most precious on the island, and maintains many of the details of its classic style unchanged. The ceremonial dress has a unique headdress, an embroidered bodice and an apron. It also has a set of golden jewellery including shirt buttons, brooch and a necklace with a cross or medallion. The week dress is less rich, especially in the details of the skirt, while the widow's dress retains the same line as the gala dress, with colours tending towards black and purple.

The men's dress is also quite rich, while maintaining the classic cut of many other Sardinian costumes.

Wearing one of these costumes is like stepping back in time, how to feel the full force of the past sewn into you. Many traditional festivals are an excellent opportunity to see women, men and children proudly parading through the streets in the traditional dresses of their country.

If you don't want to miss out any of these beautiful occasions keep an eye on the Salude & Trigu programme, a container of the most fascinating events in North Sardinia.

Sardinia is the land of fairies and giants. In the silence of valleys and hills, the signs of a millenary culture are scattered across the island, a beauty that's possible to find out exploring Sardinian hinterland. We are speaking of Nuraghi, Tombe dei Giganti (tombs of the giants) and Domus de Janas (fairy houses), the impressive archaeological marvels of Sardinia.

The first are prehistoric truncated cone-shaped buildings made of large stone boulders; they're some of the tallest constructions in the Mediterranean after pyramids. Nuragic civilisation inhabited the island from 1800 B.C. to 3rd century B.C. and many theories were made about the function of Nuraghi. They probably had a residential purpose, some military or religious, but anyway what is certain is that they only exist here. 

The Tombs of the Giants are collective tombs from the same era, so called because it is said that huge bones were found inside them. Their plan is reminiscent of the snout of a bull and the outer facade consists of large stones driven into the ground in a semicircle.

Much older, the Domus de Janas are tombs dug into the rock, where the people who inhabited the island 5000 years ago buried their dead to return to the Mother Goddess. The name derives from the popular legends according to which these were the homes of small fairies.

In Sardinia there are about 7000 Nuraghi (but it is estimated that there are more than 10,000) and 3500 Domus de Janas, some of them in the territory of Sennori:

• the site of Su Nuraghe;

• the Nuraghi of Badde Margherita, Badde Puttu, San Biagio;

• the tomb of the giants of Oridda;

• the Domus de Janas of the Beneficio Parrocchiale;

• the necropolis of Serra Crabiles.

If traveling to North Sardinia you could find yourself wondering what to see and do in Sennori, you would surely find answer in all those traditions and events that mostly have the power, more than anything else, to bring us closer to the soul of this magical island full of wonders.

A magic, the Sardinian one, to be fully discovered thanks to Salude & Trigu, a fantastic project by Sassari Chamber of Commerce to promote the best events in Northern Sardinia to let people( both local citizens and tourists, to experience the culture of this territory and its hinterland authentically and unforgettably.

Every year there are unmissable events related to music, history, flavours and nature in the beautiful area near Sennori, the best occasions to visit this beautiful village.

The most outstanding events are dedicated to discovering the territory, with particular interest for the natural landscapes around gulf of Asinare, and the best local wine-making productions like Moscato di Romangia DOC, an excellence of Sardinian wines extremely appreciated by experts.

Between colours and beliefs, legends and silent landscapes, one perceives that this land has so much to tell. It is nice to look up to the sky and see the stars shining brightly and clean. It is nice to listen to old stories and realise how true they are. But most of all, it is nice to feel that in the wonder around us there is always something missing.

This is the magic of Sennori, this is the magic of Sardinia. not simply a land to visit but an authentic experience to enjoy that will surely capture you deeply.

How far is Sennori from the seaside?

The closest seaside location to Sennori is Marina di Sorso, about 7 km away. The beach is easily accessible by car in just 15-20 minutes driving on the SP130, but for the sportier people it's a great opportunity to reach the beach by bicycle (about 40 minutes) along the same road.

For further information check out our guide to the beaches of North Sardinia.

What are the best wines produced in Sennori?

Sennori is a renowned area for wine production, particularly the Moscato di Sorso-Sennori DOC, a local wine excellence. The area also allows the cultivation of grape varieties suitable for producing some excellent types of Cannonau di Sardegna and Vermentino, iconic wines from North Sardinia.

What are the best attractions in Sennori?

Strolling around Sennori, the best attraction to visit is the Church of San Basilio Magno, a late-medieval building that blends Romanesque architecture with Gothic features, with references to the Aragonese artistic sensibility of the Renaissance. The church houses a precious 1500's altarpiece depicting the Coronation of the Virgin. While visiting Sennori, we recommend also discovering its refined wine cellars and the interesting archaeological sites scattered around the inhabited town centre.