The 5 most romantic villages to explore in North Sardinia

The beauty of Sardinia is not only about its beautiful crystal clear water beaches, its true essence is contained in much more than this. 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. A truly amazing heritage of cultural richness made of events and traditions that preserve the most authentic side of the Sardinian soul.

Admire all of this by visiting the beautiful hamlets of the region, small pearls set in unspoiled nature, within an ideal journey from East to West, through mountains and sea: here you will discover the 5 most romantic villages of North Sardinia, perfect to walk hand in hand with your soulmate in the unique setting of this wonderful island.

In the heart of Gallura, in the province of Sassari in North 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 over 500 meters above sea level and, therefore, from here it is possible to enjoy a breathtaking panorama, which extends from Asinara to 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 from the Spanish cultural heritage. On your visit to this ancient village with your sweetheart you absolutely must not miss the ethnographic museum Oliva Carta Cannas, which preserves the evidences of the ancient past of the village. Aggius is also well known for its important handcraft production of beautiful carpets.

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 harbor".

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 harbor Marina dell'Orso. Poltu Quatu is ideal for a romantic walk between nature and entertainment.

In the North-East of Sardinia we find one of the most picturesque villages in the region right next to Olbia: San Pantaleo. Surrounded by wild nature, the village rises on the granite massif of Cugnana. The small village, located a short distance from the famous Costa Smeralda, offers unique views: in fact, the super romantic setting of San Pantaleo is characterized by pink granite houses and wonderful oleanders, which make it a place of enchanting beauty rich of sensations, especially during spring and summer. 

The amazing alleys of the village are full of elegant boutiques, modern ateliers, stores of typical gastronomic products and traditional craft workshops, including potters, goldsmiths, wrought iron craftsmen, inlayers, painters and sculptors. Furthermore, San Pantaleo is famous for its Thursday market, where local and even international artists display their works of art. The picturesque streets of San Pantaleo are perfect for a walk among the wonders of North Sardinia, especially in sweet company on a special St. Valentine holiday.

Do you want to visit Olbia and its wonders, as well? Check them out here! We suggest you visit this splendid city and the villages in the territory especially in the first days of autumn, on the occasion of Benvenuto Vermentino, a fantastic event that celebrates one of the iconic wines of Sardinia.

Castelsardo is a charming medieval village, located in the province of Sassari in North 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, which according to tradition 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 than this 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 the thousand shades of many places in the North of the island: a real journey through beauty, experiences and tradition to discover an unconventional face of Sardinia, going beyond the stereotype that sees the region only as a summer destination.

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 you will admire a very unusual landscape with romantic views of unspoiled nature. Here, in fact, we are in a land of extinct volcanoes where the landscape is distinguished by the Natural Monument of the volcanic craters of Meilogu, small sharp hills of lava derivation, sometimes mitigated 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 of this village is certainly the Oes nuraghe, while the historic center of the town, instead, preserves the typical features of the medieval hamlet: a true hidden gem in the heart of North Sardinia, especially recommended for couples looking for adventurous experiences in suggestive and unique places.