The Unknown Sardinia Underground: 7 caves worth seeing from north to south

There is a lot to discover in Sardinia: amazing beaches, a beautiful landscape, mysterious prehistoric sites, imposing mountains and … fascinating caves. Even if you don’t expect it, Sardinia is one of the Italian regions that offers numerous attractions underground and hidden on the coast. These grottos and sea caves, with their towering stalagmites and hanging stalactites, are really worth a visit and a pleasant pastime if you’re looking for a cool spot, especially in summer when air temperatures can reach easily more than 30°C and the caves offer at least 10 degrees less.

There are numerous caves in Sardinia, we present in the following our 7 favorites and are sure that you will like these natural beauties as much as we do.

The Neptune’s Grotto, one of the largest sea caves in Italy

This grotto in north-west Sardinia, whose origins date back more than 2 million years, is about 25 km from Alghero. Part of the Marine Protected Area of Capo Caccia-Isola Piana, in the Porto Conte Park, it is a captivating gem of nature of the Mediterranean. There is no certain information as to who discovered the cave (some said it was only a couple of hundred years ago), but for all it is the cave where Neptune, the god of the sea in Roman myths, took refuge from time immemorial.

There are two ways to reach this amazing sea cave: either on foot via the Escala del Cabirol (in English: Deer Ladder) with its 654 steps, which lead down an impressive steer cliff to the grotto’s entrance or, less demanding (especially on the way back), with a boat tour from Alghero. The guided tour inside the grotto is magical and takes the visitor along a saltwater lake that stretches out for 120 m and through the different rooms of the cave for about 1 km.

Important information for a visit to the Neptune’s Grotto

If you want to visit the Grotto di Nettuno, it is possible every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., except on December 25th (of course, favorable weather conditions also play an important role when arriving by boat). Tours start every hour and last about 30 minutes. The ticket costs €14, the reduced one €10 and is free for people with disabilities, children under 7 years and tour guides in groups.

The closest place to stay is Alghero, a charming seaside town with Catalan influence. We recommend 3 accommodations:

• The Inghirios Wellness Country Resort, immersed in nature with spa services and elegant Sardinian-style rooms with the most modern comforts
• The Residence Monte Sixeri with pool and restaurant offers comfortable apartments with up to 4 bedrooms in a beautiful landscape
  The Is Cheas Hotel & Wine Resort in western Sardinia offers comfortable suites with private pool, tasting menus and the opportunity to take part in cooking courses and horseback riding lessons.

Grotta del Bue Marino, home of the monk seal

One of the most beautiful and enchanting attractions of the Gulf of Orosei on the east coast of Sardinia is the Grotta del Bue Marino or Monk Seal near Cala Gonone. The queen of this cave was the “sea ox”, as the local population called the monk seal because of its pointed shape, gentle demeanor and characteristic cry, which resembles that of an ox.

This cave, which has only access from the sea by boat, is 15 km long and divided into three main arms. The northern branch is petrified due to karst activity and therefore inaccessible. The southern branch, on the other hand, is open to visitors, while the middle branch is used for underwater explorations.

The cave is also known for its Neolithic rock carvings depicting a human circle around a representation of the sun.

Information for visiting the Grotta del Bue Marino

The southern branch can be visited daily from 9am to 4pm and the sightseeing tour takes about an hour. Tickets can be purchased online, at the ticket office in the port of Cala Gonone or, in some cases, directly at the ticket office of the cave. Prices vary depending on the season.

If you want to sleep a stone’s throw from the cave, we recommend the following hotels nearby:

• The Hotel Cala Luna is located in Cala Gonone. It is a welcoming and modern hotel overlooking the sea and the beach. The structure is perfect as it is 100 m from the marina, exactly where the boats leave for the cave.
• Hotel Ispignoli is located near Dorgali and very close to Cala Gonone. The location is very comfortable, immersed in nature and surrounded by olive trees, a perfect place if you want a peaceful and relaxing vacation.

Grotta Su Marmuri, the most impressive cave in Europe

The cave of Su Marmuri, which means “marble cave” in Sardinian, is the most impressive in Europe. It is located on the east coast of Sardinia in the Ogliastra near Ulassai. If you want to discover this fascinating place, you have to make hundreds of steps to explore the uniqueness of this natural miracle. Su Marmuri which was formed 150 million years ago by the force of the water, is a living cave that is constantly evolving. Nearby you can admire the impressive rocky outcrop called Tacco di Ulassai, a massif that overlooks the village.

Grotta Su Marmuri: all the essential information to organize your visit

The Su Marmuri Cave can be visited from March/April to October. In addition to organizing guided tours, the caring cooperative offers various services for trekking and climbing enthusiasts. To find out more about possible excursions, we recommend to visit the official website. The full ticket costs €10, the reduced one €6.

Not far from the Su Marmuri Cave and on the coast is the known holidays destination Arbatax which features also beautiful sandy beaches and the Rocce Rosse (Red Rocks), a characteristic rock formation. If you decide to stay in Arbatax, remember the following accommodations:

• Residence Borgo degli Ulivi with pool offers comfortable and modern apartments in a good, quiet location not far from the beaches of Arbatax
• The beachside Hotel Club Saraceno is characterized by an elegant and comfortable environment and offers many services and various activities for the little ones. This refined structure, directly overlooking the sea, is perfect for a relaxing holiday.

The cave of Su Mannau on the Costa Verde

In the territory of Fluminimaggiore, in Sulcis-Iglesiente, in south-western Sardinia, is located the beautiful Su Mannau Cave, among the most interesting karst caves in Sardinia. Visiting this grotto is a bit like a little magical tour in the underground. The cave is made up of two main branches that emanate from two small streams, the left branch from the Placido River and the right branch from the Rapido River. The interiors, full of stalactites and stalagmites, are so disarmingly beautiful that they have become nationally famous.

Opening hours, prices and all information for visiting the Su Mannau Cave

The cave can be visited daily and the tours last one hour. You can choose between three different times in the morning : 10:15 – 11:30 – 12:45 and other ones in the afternoon: 14:15 – 15:30 – 16:45. The full ticket costs €10, €6 for children aged 6 to 12 and free for children under 6 years old.

If you are looking for a perfect place to sleep nearby, we recommend Fluminimaggiore. Away from the classic tourist routes, this community has so much to offer, from seascapes to mountains, and the Roman Antas Temple.

As a family group you could choose the following accommodation:

• Villa Golfo del Leone is a large three-storey villa surrounded by greenery, with sea views and a swimming pool. The location is furnished in a very modern way with fresh and refined tones

The Grotta di Santa Barbara, one of the oldest caves in the world

Always in the south-western part of Sardinia, in the heart of an Iglesias mountain range, there is one of the oldest caves in the world: the one of Santa Barbara.

It was discovered in 1952 by miners when excavating a previously unknown well. The cavity consists of a large hall ranging from classic stalactites and stalagmites to the very rare eccentrics of aragonite. Another very special feature of the cave are the honeycomb concretions. In the lower part there is a small lake that illuminates the surrounding walls with its reflections.

This place of great charm is inside the San Giovanni mine and can be reached through an intricate system of underground tunnels accessible thanks to an electric train, a characteristic element that takes you back in time when the mine was still operative. After a ride of 700 m you reach an elevator that brings you up through a shaft into the Santa Barbara cave.

Useful information for the Santa Barbara Cave

The ticket for the visit can be purchased online and at the Tourist Office in Piazza Municipio in Iglesias. Visiting the caves is only possible on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The full ticket costs €15, the reduced one €12.

A perfect destination that can be combined with a visit to the Santa Barbara Cave is a visit to the two Sardinian islands of Sant’Antioco and San Pietro. While Sant’Antioco is easily accessible by car via a causeway, you have take a ferry boat to the San Pietro island.

If you decide to visit the South -West, we recommend 3 accommodations for your stay:

• Hotel Lido degli Spagnoli with pool and directly on the sea in Portoscuso, near the islands of Sant’Antioco and San Pietro
• The Hotel Luci del Faro on the island of Sant’Antioco, on a cliff overlooking the sea, with swimming pool and tennis court
• The Terrazza sul mare apartment in Calasetta offers an enchanting panorama thanks to its sea-view veranda. It is a three-room apartment for couples or families

The Is Zuddas Cave between Santadi and Teulada

The Grotto Is Zuddas is a stalactite cave between Santadi and Teulada in the Sulcis-Iglesiente. From the total of 1,650 m, visitors can admire the Sala della Collata (“Casting Hall”), the Sala della Medusa (“Jellyfish Hall”), the Sala delle Erosioni (“Erosion Hall”) and the Sala dell’Organo (“Organ Hall”) over a length of approximately 500 m. The Is Zuddas cave is known for its rich variety of different stalactites and chemical deposits.

In the early 1960s, a narrow natural entrance was discovered that reached 20 m deep into the cave. In the 1970s, speleologists discovered new corridors that led to previously unknown cavities.

Useful information for the Grotto Is Zuddas

Tickets can be bought online up to 1 hour before the visit or directly at the cave. Visits are possible all year round from Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10.30 a.m. to 5.15 p.m. (there are shorter visiting times in autumn and winter). The full ticket currently costs €10, the reduced one €8.

Our insider tip: The cave of San Giovanni near Domusnovas

A good 15 km east of Iglesias and near the Superstrada SS 130, is the village of Domusnovas. The way to the Grotto San Giovanni leads through the village and is (partially) signposted.

The 800 meter long and well-lit grotto (a few decades ago cars were still allowed to drive through!) is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists and can be visited without a guide. When you reach the end of the cave, you have to return or – paying an extra fee at the entrance – you can exit the cave and take a walk into the adjoining shady forest.

The path through the cave is well lit, wide and asphalted all the way through, making it particularly suitable for visits with small children and people who have difficulty walking, as there are no steps or slippery passages to slip on.

Useful information for the Grotto of San Giovanni

The ticket for the visit can be purchased online or directly at the kiosk at the entrance. The visit of the caves, which lasts a good 1 hour, is possible from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 am to 6 pm with or without a guide (visiting times are reduced in autumn and winter). The full ticket without a guided tour costs from €8, the reduced ticket from €5.

Tips for visiting caves and grottos

Actually there is not much to think about, but you should pay particular attention to two points for your well-being when staying in the Sardinian caves and grottos:

• We definitely recommend sturdy and non-slip shoes, as there are often steps and stairs to overcome and the paths in the caves can also be damp and steep
• Dress warmly, because the temperatures in the caves are constant between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius all year round. This sounds very inviting on a hot summer’s day, but for a longer stay it might get a bit too chilly, and a pullover or jacket can certainly help.