Things to do in Sardinia
The second largest island in the Mediterranean sea, Sardinia is mainly touted for its lovely beaches and hiking trails and draws windsurfers and boaters to its shores in droves. The coastal regions can get very busy in the summer, especially August. Apart from the wonderful landscapes and outdoor activities, Sardinia offers the remnants of mysterious ancient settlements: the ancient Nuragic civilisation of Sardinia, which predates the mainland Etruscan civilisation by several centuries, left stone monuments dotting the island.
La Maddalena Archipelago National Park (Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena) is an almost uninhabited group of islands in a protected marine area, attracting visitors with its natural splendour and pristine beaches. Other gorgeous beaches in Sardinia include Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritze in Baunei, which are regularly lauded as the most beautiful beaches in Italy, and are a must for sun-seekers looking for the perfect Mediterranean setting. Costa Smeralda boasts the most glamorous beaches in Sardinia and attracts the jet-set with its luxurious villas and upmarket resorts. The city of Alghero, on the northwest coast, is also a tourist hub and has some great beaches.
Those interested in the ancient Nuragic inhabitants of Sardinia can explore the thousands of fortified circular structures still remaining on the island. The complex of Nuraghe in Barumini has been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List and is the finest and most complete example of this intriguing prehistoric architecture. Another interesting cultural diversion is provided by the home of Garibaldi, one of Italy's great revolutionary leaders, which has been turned into a museum. Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, has some cultural treasures, most notably in the Citadel of Museums complex, which includes the National Archaeological Museum.

Cagliari
Cagliari is Sardinia's capital. The biggest city in the region and a busy industrial port, its old centre is charmingly compact and contained within the city walls and Pisan fortif…

Nuraghe
Having arrived in Sardinia around 1500 BC, the mysterious Nuragic people festooned the island with about 30,000 circular fortified structures, of which 7,000 remain standing today.…

Trenino Verde
Sardinia has an unforgettable coastline, but the interior of the island is equally as beautiful. A fun way to explore it is aboard the Trenino Verde (Little Green Train), a vintage…

Neptune's Grotto (Grotta di Nettuno)
A popular sightseeing expedition from Alghero is a boat ride to Neptune's Grotto, an impressive deep marine cave at the bottom of the sheer cliffs of Capo Caccia. At the cave, visi…

Garibaldi's House
The famous Italian general and politician Giuseppe Garibaldi lived the last third of his life on the woody, undeveloped island of Caprera. Considered a 'founding father' by Italian…

Costa Smeralda
The jet-set strip of Sardinia, Costa Smeralda is a six-mile (10km) stretch of coastline between the gulfs of Cugnana and Arzachena. The local villages and towns around Costa Smeral…

Alghero
The flourishing fishing port of Alghero is Sardinia's tourist centre, and consists of a picturesque and well-preserved old town enclosed in stout walls. Outside, the new town sport…