On the south coast below Cagliari is the holiday resort of Pula, where pine forests border sandy beaches. The town has an impressive number of historical monuments and top of the sightseeing list must be the “Arena of Pula”. Built at the same time as the Colosseum in Rome, this limestone amphitheatre once hosted gladiator fights and medieval tournaments. Today it is a popular venue for open air concerts and exhibitions. Other sites of interest include the “Golden Gate” arch, the reconstructed Temple of Augustus, the Archaeological Museum and the Venetian Castle.
Close by is the partially excavated, ancient city of Nora. Once an important trading centre with two harbours, much of the city is now submerged beneath the warm waters of the Golfo di Cagliari. Archaeologists have found important artifacts from Phoenician and Roman times, making this one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Roman structures still visible include the theatre, a villa, thermal baths and the forum and an impressive number of decorative floor mosaics.
The capital of Sardinia, Cagliari has been inhabited since pre-historic times and enjoys a colourful history. The old part of the city (Castello) lies at the top of a hill with stunning views over the Gulf of Cagliari. Much of the old city wall is still intact, including 2 stone watch towers. Other sights of interest include the restored Cathedral, the Basilica of San Saturnino, the limestone Roman Amphitheatre and the Roman Aqueduct.
Head east from Cagliari, along the scenic coastal road towards Villasimius. Once dependent on fishing and agriculture, the village is now a popular resort, thanks to its sandy coves and beaches. The off shore reefs are brimming with marine life and form part of the Marine Reserve of Capo Carbonara.
The surrounding area is rich in archaeological remains and local Roman and Punici artefacts can be viewed in the town’s Archaeological Museum. The town is also an important cultural centre, attracting artists from across Europe to its International Centre of Experimental Arts.
Head north to the traditional village of Muravera, at the mouth of the Flumendosa River. The surrounding area is rich in history and there are numerous megalithic monuments and menhirs to discover amongst the citrus groves and forests. Inland you will find the ancient standing stones of Piscina Rei, Funtana Coberta with its sacred pool and the stone sepulchres of Pranu Mutteddu. Whilst, towards the coast you will find lagoons populated with pink flamingos and the sandy beaches of Costa Rei.
Continue along the east coast to the enchanting fishing village of Arbatax. Nestled on the picturesque headland of Capo Bellavista, the village has a small harbour from where you can make see the famous porphyritic reef known as the “Rocce Rosse” (red rocks). Also worth seeing are the village’s three churches and the 16th century tower of San Michele, built to protect the settlement from pirates. Nearby, you will also find the Capo Bellavista lighthouse, offering sweeping views of the coastline, the San Germiliano Watch Tower and Cala Moresca. If you fancy sitting back and soaking up the sunshine, there are also a number of small sandy beaches in the vicinity - San Gemiliano, Sos Florea, Porto Frailis and Orrì. |
