Unusual Things To Do In Sardinia In Winter: By A Local Sardinian!

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Needless to say, wearing trekking shoes is a must. You don’t really want to slip while you’re on top of a cliff! Last but not least, a waterproof jacket would also be useful in case of light or heavier rain which happens from time to time (even in Sardinia).

Unmissable Things To Do In Sardinia When Visiting In Winter/Off Season

Being Sardinian I clearly lived on the Island during the “off-season” and although I get the appeal of visiting during summer to enjoy Sardinia Beautiful beaches, there are so many things to do in  Sardinia in Autumn/winter! 

Villa San Pietro is a  small Sardinian village strategically located between Cagliari and Pula, so you can reach both places easily. It is not too touristy, which is very nice for the ones looking for these “undiscovered” places. The recommended properties, as I like to mention, are the ones below: Just for your reference, the festival used to be called “Cortes Apertas”, which means “open yards”, and comes due to the fact that the historical houses were wide open to show expositions, ancient furniture and much more.

With its strategic central location in Sardinia, Gesturi is a great town to stay and explore the countryside of the beautiful island. Here below are some of the greatest places to sleep in Gesturi:
Check out this video to get an idea of what you can experience during the Autunno in Barbagia Event. This one is from 2016 in Orgosolo but the other villages involved in this event are equally fascinating to visit!

What Do Most Of The Murals Represent?

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Oristano has much to offer, and with its many shopping streets, popular bars and restaurants, it has nothing to envy to other Sardinian cities. There are quite a few hotels in the area, but I like these 2 in particular:
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Although already mentioned above, it is worth giving a couple more hotels to stay in Oristano. In fact, it is one of the most ideal cities to stay in the area. On top of the 2 recommended ones above, I’ll offer 2 more suggestions here below:

Bosa Murals

Moreover, the good side about visiting the nature is that, most of the time, there is no entrance fee, or it’s very little. Therefore, you can have a fantastic time enjoying the lovely winter sun in Sardinia!

SARDINIA HOTELS NEAR ORGOSOLO

 

ORGOSOLO HOTELS

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Of course, Carnival is very popular all over Sardinia and Italy, but Sa Sartiglia is a unique and joyful event in Oristano that has nothing comparable to its bigger brother. Sa Sartiglia is a 3-day feast, that usually takes place in February or March. It unites all the citizen and includes a medieval joust, the famous horse racing, and also an incredible acrobatic riding. There will be a constant drumbeat accompanying the costumed men, women and horses while they race down the street at an incredible speed. Many tourists book their vacation in accordance the dates of this must-see event, and it is therefore advisable to plan everything in advance, at least 2 to 3 months in advance.

 2) SARDINIA NATURE: EXPLORE SU GORROPU GORGE

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Guided Canyon Trekking

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During the Carnival in Mamoiada, the two masks parade through the city: the Mamuthones are divided into two parallel rows of six people, while the eight Issohadores “guide” the Mamuthones the whole time. It is a show worth coming to the region for, as it is one of the most memorable and most authentical festivals.
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In this article I will list the coolest things you can do and see in Sardinia during Winter, autumn and early spring, from hiking (with incredible views over the sea) to road tripping the typical villages, participating in great festivals and much more! Sardinia is for EVERY TOURIST IN EVERY SEASON! Are you not convinced? You are missing out big time 😉

Su Gologone

You can, of course, book a tour and go with a local to get to know the area better. I always try to recommend booking a tour as you’ll get a deep insight of what locals think and do.

SARDINIA HOTELS NEAR SU GORROPU

URZULEI HOTELS

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DORGALI HOTELS

Stay at one of the hotels below, and you will have a good value for money:

  3) SARDINIA TRADITIONS: MEET THE MAMUTHONES IN MAMOIADA

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As you can expect from any region in Italy, Sardinia has a lot of archaeologic sites. I decided to write about this one in particular since it was a Phoenician, Punic and also Roman town, which makes it incredibly interesting to any kind of visitor. The entrance fee is 5E but you can get a tour guide for an extra euro which is a great deal.
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Dorgali is one of the closest cities to Su Gorropu together with the Urzulei. We highly recommend staying in one of these hotels:
Long resistants pants are more than recommended, as you will need to walk through wild bushes, sharp branches and thorns. The clothing also depends on the period of the year that you decide to go to. In fact, I advise bringing heavy clothes if you’re planning to go in Spring or Fall, as you would get cold in the evening otherwise.

 

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN SARDINIA NEAR MAMOIADA

 

Monte Ortobene

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“I wouldn’t do it myself, I think I’d die on the first 10 minutes haha!”

SARDINIA HOTELS AND B&B IN MAMOIADA

 

MAMOIADA HOTELS

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Just like Orgosolo, hotels in Nuoro are not expensive and the price range varies between 45e and 100e a night, which is very affordable for such authentic places.

Known as being the Wine town, The “Cannonau di Jerzu” red wine is super famous and strong, but loved everywhere in the world. Other than the wine, though, and as said here above, the mountainside around Jerzu is fabulous and I recommend spending at least 2 full days for a full immersion in the nature. The best hotels to stay are the ones i reccomend below:

4)BARUMINI NURAGHE

No need to mention it any longer, Ulassai is an open-air museum with a history rich in traditions, delicacies and thousands of attractions. The accommodations below are the best to spend either a short or long time while visiting the area.

 

Best Day Trips To The Nuraghe Di Barumini

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There are a few tours available in the area and honestly, they are not cheap. But, they are really interesting and nice to do. The most interesting ones are the Barbagia and Orgosolo Day Tour from Cagliari, the Mamutones masks and wine tasting tour, and the Mamoiada Wine Tour.

Is it really worth it? The answer is obviously YES, ABSOLUTELY!

 

THINGS TO DO AND SEE NEAR BARUMINI

Giara Di Gesturi

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The Autumn in Barbagia festival is the highlight of the region. It is the favorite festival of locals but also tourists, and it allows people to discover the more authentic side of Sardinia.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR BARUMINI

BARUMINI HOTELS

However, in my travel experience, the ideal would be to do some independent wandering AND then taking a guided tour. Joining a tour, even if you are an independent traveler like me,  will make you understand the stories behind what you are seeing a lot better. And the Sardinian murals have tons of history behind them!

GESTURI HOTELS

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You can certainly visit Sardinia and the historic regions like Barbagia by yourself going at your own pace. The pro is that you’re completely independent, you can take as much time as you want to visit a location or a sight and you’re free to do what you want.

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I love this mount, as I live nearby and I can even see it from my balcony! I would recommend anyone to come and spend some time here to exercize, see the local nature, and even encounter new people and come accross new cultures.

 

Autunno In Barbagia Useful Info & Program

Whether you are interested in its history and meaning or not, they are worth seeing none the less, the atmosphere while walking in Orgosolo is magic, and every turn you make can surprise you with yet another piece of “street art”.

  • This 2019 celebration will be the 24th edition
  • Historical houses will open in 32 municipalities
  • The festival dates in 2019 are from the 7th of September till the 15th of December
  • There are several activities in different cities throughout the months, so get prepared according to your dates.

 

THINGS TO DO AT THE AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA

 

Ollolai Village 

Fonni is a small village and the accommodations are limited, so I recommend booking it in advance in order to fully enjoy the celebrations, and not having to drive to another village to sleep. I usually recommend sleeping in the following B&Bs:

Fonni-Bruncu Spina

There are only a handful of properties available in Ollolai. For this reason, and just like in Fonni, I recommend booking it in advance. The best ones are:

BEST HOTELS IN BARBAGIA

 

FONNI HOTELS

OLLOLAI HOTELS

I’ll tell you a secret: It took me forever to chose the picture for this and… I wrote the whole chapter sobbing because for physical limitations (long story) I’ll never be able to do the Selvaggio Blu. One of the things I wanted to do the most in my life… 

6) ULASSAI & JERZU ROAD TRIP

Now it is not possible anymore, due to security reasons and to preserve the structures, you can only go accompanied by a guide. The complex is open every day and the ticket for the entrance for 2018 is 12 euros for adults and 9 for kids aged below 18. Visiting hours are as stated below:
things-to-do-in-sardinia-winter-orgosolo-murals The Story Of the Murals In Orgosolo

Tourists often travel to Cabras to enjoy the fresh seafood restaurants and its coastline to watch many sunrises and sunsets. Although it is a small city, it is still home to some good hotels like the ones below:

Fordongianus is a very small town in the Barigadu region, and is mostly known for the Roman Spa Baths. After enjoying your time at the baths, you can go back to your hotel, and I usually recommend the 2 ones below:

 

Best Tours near Ulassai & Jerzu

 

Ulassai by Bike Excursion

There are other cities and villages in Sardinia with beautiful murals, but Orgosolo is where everything started, so go for the real and original thing! Of all the 250 murals you can find scattered all over Sardinia, 150 are in Orgosolo, so this is obviously the “Real deal”. 

Su Marmuri Grotto

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Cagliari is the capital city of Sardinia, and definitely the most convenient to go to Monte Arcosu from. As you can expect from any big city, there’s a big variety of accommodations available, but I usually recommend the ones below since they have a great value for money.
Needless to say that it is possible to go and trek on your own. However, you should always ask yourself whether you are ready to do without any help needed. It is a trek afterall, and it’s sometimes better to go accompanied in case you need help, advises, or simply want to listen to stories that you shouldn’t be able to know otherwise.

 

MORE THINGS TO DO IN SARDINIA -ULASSAI & JERZU

 

Gairo Ghost Town

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I always like to give my readers the option to either travel on their own or with a local, and both have advantages. In fact, discovering places on your own will make you enjoy spots at your own pace and really enjoy it. At the same time, purchasing a tour will teach you new things, opening your eyes in certain cases and hear funny anecdotes about the place.

SARDINIA HOTELS IN ULASSAI AND JERZU

 

ULASSAI HOTELS

   

JERZU HOTELS

Add the Lequarci Waterfalls and Gairo Vecchia

7) TRY THE “SELVAGGIO BLU” HIKE

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Here you can see thousands of people in traditional costume wandering around the streets with the historical masks (don’t get scared, instead, enjoy!). Also, the horse riders will be over 120 so that you can take amazing photos to post on your social medias!

 The Selvaggio Blu Hike Options

Six Days (Complete)

With its unique things to do in winter and archaeological sites, Barumini should be on your bucket list this year. Below are the Hotels I recommend and my readers book more frequently:

Four Days (Extreme)

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT SARDINIA!

Two Days (Medium-Light)

The first mural was drawn in 1969, and they mainly represent political themes like the opposition to the Nazi movement and symbols of rebellion against the government, but, although many of them are political in nature, there are multiple examples of other stories in and outside the village, such as a local lady selling flowers, a defensive Palestine flag or a drawing of former presidents Bush and Obama.

Located in the province of Nuoro, Oliena is a village rich in history with many nice properties to stay at. Check the chosen one below!
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Another tip to give you is to wear appropriate clothes as some parts may be difficult to hike with your normal everyday shoes.

 Ogliastra Coves

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It is not the easiest task to drive on that road, but you can admire the mountains and the villages from the many stops. There are many villages on the way, and not normal villages, they are authentic Sardinian villages.

  • A Tent to sleep at night. The most recommendable tent would be a anti-humidity and anti-mosquito instead of cold as temperatures are usually not that low.
  • An inflatable mattress is also indispensable and I doubt you’ll want to sleep on the rocky beach!
  • If your tour guide doesn’t provide you with the cutlery and dishes, then you should also take some to have dinner.
  • Waterproof bag, in case it rains. You certainly don’t want your clothes and you camera to get wet.
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You will see so many things and natural beauties that you shouldn’t leave Sardinia without. This actually takes me to the following point here below.

Although the accommodations in and around Urzulei are limited, the best options are the following ones:
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