If you want to know what to see on a romantic trip in North Sardinia, here are five charming villages ideal for a hand-in-hand stroll.
The beauty of Sardinia is not all in its beautiful beaches of crystal clear water, its true essence is contained in much more. Natural monuments and unique landscapes, between hills and valleys, parks and natural reserves, small towns and archaeological sites, handicraft and a vast food and wine culture. And then again, its events and traditions preserve the most authentic part of the Sardinian soul.
All this can be admired by visiting the beautiful hamlets of the region, small pearls set in unspoiled nature. If you want to know what to see in Sardinia on a trip with your sweetheart, here are the 5 most romantic villages in the North of the island.
5. Aggius
In the heart of Gallura, in the province of Sassari in Northern Sardinia, we find the ancient village of Aggius. The streets of this village, where secular traditions still live on, are characterized by particular houses made of granite stone, surrounded by uncontaminated nature. Aggius is situated at 514 meters above sea level and from here it is therefore possible to enjoy a unique panorama, which extends from Asinara to the La Maddalena Archipelago and the Costa Smeralda.
Aggius is one of the few municipalities of Gallura to have preserved the secular traditions of this historical sub-region: from Palm Sunday to Easter of Resurrection, there are celebrations that follow each other in the spectacular and folkloristic rites of the Spanish tradition. If you visit this ancient village, you absolutely must not miss the ethnographic museum Oliva Carta Cannas, which preserves the testimonies of the ancient past of the village. Aggius is also known for the production of carpets and the art of weaving.
4. Poltu Quatu
In the northern part of Gallura, between natural beauty and worldliness, stands the village of Poltu Quatu. Born as a fishing village, in a natural bay surrounded by the Mediterranean landscape and the crystal clear sea, today this village is a popular destination of the Costa Smeralda. The village is characterized by small houses and white villas perched on the hills overlooking the sea, surrounded by lush vegetation that hides the entire village, whose name means, indeed, "hidden port".
From the village you can easily reach the most beautiful beaches of the Costa Smeralda, including Capriccioli, cale Pitrizza and cale di Vope and Liscia di Vacca. The center of the village is represented by a central square and the port Marina dell'Orso. Poltu Quatu is ideal for a romantic walk between nature and entertainment.
3. San Pantaleo
In the north-east of Sardinia we find, finally, the picturesque village of San Pantaleo. Surrounded by wild nature, San Pantaleo rises on the granite massif of Cugnana. The small village, located a short distance from the famous Costa Smeralda, offers unique views. The village is characterized by pink granite houses and numerous oleanders, which make it, during spring and summer, a unique beauty.
The streets of the village are full of elegant boutiques, more modern ateliers, stores of typical gastronomic products and traditional craft workshops, including potters, goldsmiths, wrought iron craftsmen, inlayers, painters and sculptors. San Pantaleo is in fact famous for its Thursday market, where local and even international artists display their works. The picturesque streets of San Pantaleo are perfect for a walk among the wonders of North Sardinia.
2. Castelsardo
Castelsardo is a charming medieval village, located in the province of Sassari, in northern Sardinia, which stands on a promontory overlooking the center of the Gulf of Asinara. The village is not only one of the most beautiful villages in Sardinia, but also in the whole Italy. The fortress that dominates the landscape is Doria Castle. According to tradition, it dates back to 1102, but more likely to the end of the 13th century. Today it is the seat of the Museum of Mediterranean Weaving, one of the most visited in Sardinia. From the castle you can admire the entire village, characterized by colorful houses and narrow alleys.
The village today preserves all the charm of its medieval past and offers a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Asinara. The main square of the village, Piazza del Duomo, overlooks the sea and here there are other beautiful buildings, such as the Palazzo dei Doria and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Nothing more romantic for a trip out of town between history and breathtaking landscapes.
Castelsardo is also the scene of some charming events in North Sardinia, included in the Sassari Chamber of Commerce project called 'Salude & Trigu' calendar. These events are the perfect opportunity to get to know a thousand facets of many places in the north of the island that go far beyond their simple aesthetic beauty.
1. Giave
In the north-west part of Sardinia, in the sub-region of Logudoro, rises the small village of Giave, on the top of a basaltic plateau. A village of just 600 inhabitants, in Giave it will be possible to admire a very unusual landscape, with romantic views of unspoiled nature. Here, in fact, we are in a land of extinct volcanoes, and the unusual landscape around Giave is distinguished by the Natural Monument of the volcanic craters of Meilogu, small hills of lava derivation, which are sharp, rounded or cut by flat plateaus.
But Giave is also home to archaeological monuments of great importance, as the town is part of the Valley of the Nuraghi. It is one of the areas with the highest density of Nuraghi and Domus de Janas, architectural testimonies of ancient Sardinian history. The main monument belonging to this village is surely the Nuraghe Oes. The historical center of the village, instead, preserves the typical features of the medieval village.