Ph. carlos florez carbajal/flickr
In summer, Sardinia is one of the most popular and chosen destinations for tourists, especially for its enchanting beaches, but this region has much more to offer. In fact, the island is also a land rich in villages steeped in history and authenticity. Visiting these hidden treasures during the winter season allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture and learn about the traditions of the area, as well as admire the natural and cultural heritage. Moreover, activities in Sardinia, particularly outdoor activities, do not stop in any season, allowing you to explore its beauty from ever new perspectives.
Bosa
As mentioned above, if you are looking for a place to spend the winter in the warmth of Italy, Sardinia is the place to be. Among the most beautiful villages it is worth mentioning Bosa in the province of Oristano, whose historic center is located on the banks of the river Temo.
This is a very picturesque and colorful area, especially in the Sa Costa district (of medieval origin), and surrounded by green hills. Among the must-see sights is the castle, called “di Serravalle,” after the mountain of the same name on which it was built, or “dei Malaspina,” dating back to 1112. In addition, Bosa is famous for the former cathedral of St. Peter, one of the oldest Romanesque churches in the whole region.
There are many outdoor activities to do in this locality, such as horseback riding, quad biking or “loop” trekking routes that wind through the hills.
Santu LussurgiuÂ
Another village in the province of Oristano to go to during the winter period is Santu Lussurgiu. It is a small town, with just over 2,000 inhabitants, predominantly mountainous as well as rich in springs and streams. Precisely because of its hydrogeological-geological characteristics, it offers several hiking trails, especially among the Montiferru mountains. In addition, this small village still preserves remains of the Nuragic and pre-Nuragic civilization, such as the dolmens and nuraghe of Elighe Onna and Piricu.
Then it is also impossible not to visit the medieval village of San Leonardo di Siete Fuentes, a hamlet of Santu Lussurgiu, surrounded by a beautiful forest and famous for its seven fountains and its park.
Nuraghe di Elighe Onna e Piricu a Santu Lussurgiu – Ph. Ascanio Saddi/flickr
Mamoiada
Mamoiada is one of the small villages in Barbagia, and is known to be one of the most hospitable areas in the entire region. The inhabitants of Mamoiada, in fact, number just over 2,000 and welcome all tourists with local delicacies and good Cannonau wine.
During the winter, several village festivals and events are held here, such as the famous and colorful carnival that attracts visitors from all over the world. Symbols of this festival and of the whole area are the Mamuthones and Issohadores, masks that are now widely known and loved even outside Sardinia.
For this reason, the preferred months for a vacation in Mamoiada are from mid-January onward. There are also a number of exciting activities available here, such as hiking and mountain biking tours suitable for different levels of experience, and cultural activities, such as a visit to the Museum of Mediterranean Masks, which provides a better understanding of local identity and at the same time the traditions of masks from other lands bordering the Mediterranean.
Il Carnevale di Mamoiada – Ph. Mirko Peddis/flickr
