Get out of the city: our tips for autumn weekends and short breaks in Sardinia

If you visit the Mediterranean island after summer, you can not only enjoy the sea in peace and quiet, but also discover fascinating natural attractions and archaeological sites, and visit all the inland villages where a variety of festivals and gastronomic events take place at this time of year. At the same time, autumn is the ideal time for an active holiday, as the air temperatures, we mentioned it before, are still very mild.

Autumn is one of the best times to visit Sardinia, because:

• the accommodations are cheaper than in high season
• you have the beaches (almost) to yourself
• the Mediterranean weather is still mild and pleasant (and even if it rains, it’s quickly back to beautiful)

 

So, if you are looking for inspiration and ideas for a weekend or a short break, read on and discover the many holiday options on this varied island with our Sardinia blog.

Culinary weekend with typical local dishes and delicious wines

Autumn in Sardinia is an important time for the grape and olive harvests. For wine lovers, autumn is the best time of the year to take part in the grape harvest and then to discover the various wine cellars and the best wines of Sardinia.  The olive harvest also begins in autumn and many farms offer olive oil tastings. The first citrus fruits are picked and roasted chestnuts are sold in the streets.

One of the most popular autumn events is ‘Autunno in Barbagia‘, a series of events that begins in September and ends in December: Every weekend, two villages in Barbagia open their doors to curious visitors, who have the unique opportunity to discover traditional costumes, a variety of handicrafts and, of course, the typical food and wines of the places.

Strolling through the streets of authentic villages with a glass of Cannonau, a in one hand and a delicious Casadina in the other, and experiencing the famous Sardinian hospitality, is for many the epitome of a relaxing holiday.

The best autumn winds for surfers

Sardinia is a paradise for surfers, as its position in the Mediterranean means that it can be exposed to strong winds, especially in the low season. You can surf on the island more than 200 days a year, which is why it has become a favourite destination for many Italian and international enthusiasts. If you love this sport or just want to try it, autumn is the perfect time of year as the beaches are less crowded, the weather is still mild and the sea water is still quite pleasant with average temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius. One of the best spots is undoubtedly Capo Mannu, north-west of Oristano. The special thing about this cove is that it is exposed to all winds and you can compete with waves up to 4 metres high, especially when the mistral is blowing. It is perhaps one of the most famous surfing spots on the island, but it is also true that it is only recommended for experienced surfers due to the rocky seabed and strong currents. For those new to the sport, Porto Ferro beach in Alghero is certainly more suitable, although there is no shortage of surfing areas. Other wonderful beaches where you can surf and enjoy the wonderful waves of the autumn sea are Buggerru, Chia and, of course, Poetto in Cagliari, where you can also find several surfing and kitesurfing schools.

And for those who don’t surf, there are boat trips to discover the coast from a different perspective, whether it’s the archipelago of La Maddalena in the north-east or the fascinating coast of Ogliastra.

Thermal Springs and Spa Hotels

When the weather turns cooler, Sardinia’s natural thermal springs and elegant spa hotels are the perfect place to relax:

• Fordongianus Spa: the ancient Roman thermal springs invite you to relax
• Spa hotels in Sardinia: Many spa hotels offer luxurious seawater and herbal treatments

 

Discover history: Nuraghi and archaeological sites in Sardinia

Autumn weekends are the ideal time to discover the island’s (pre)history, which goes back a long way and helped Sardinia to flourish culturally and economically between 1800 BC and 500 BC. From north to south, the island is full of archaeological sites and remains of the ancient Nuragic civilisation. One of the most famous and spectacular sites is undoubtedly Su Nuraxi near Barumini, the only nuraghe recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.

The beautiful ancient town of Tharros, near Cabras, and Nora, near Pula, are not to be missed on an archaeological trip. Both were crossroads of peoples and cultures that flourished under Roman rule.

Among the archaeological sites of Sassari, Monte d’Accoddi stands out for its uniqueness: it is a ziqqurat, similar to those of Mesopotamia, unique in the Mediterranean and considered a meeting place between man and the divine. Even today, these mystical energies seem not to have left the place.

In Barbagia there are also many places to visit, such as the sacred Su Tempiesu spring in Orune, the only sacred spring with an intact original cover.

You should also visit Su Romanzesu, near Bitti, an unusual nuragic settlement considered to be the largest of its kind and popularly known as “the witches’ place”. There is a partially buried well sanctuary (Pudd’ arvu), which ends in a kind of amphitheatre, and three rectangular megaron temples with thick stone walls, of which only 20 have been discovered on the whole island.

Enjoy an active autumn

If you are a fan of sporting activities such as cycling or hiking, Sardinia will not disappoint you: The island is full of wild and romantic nature, especially in the interior, with green forests, volcanic plateaus and imposing mountains, as well as numerous nature parks that offer a great variety.

• The Giara di Gesturi plateau is ideal for an easy walk or a family outing, where you can meet the famous little Giara wild horses.
• In the south of Sardinia, the Parco di Sette Fratelli is a beautiful wooded area where you can walk along paths of varying length and difficulty.
• Autumn is also the time when the first rains begin, making it the best time to visit Sardinia’s waterfalls, which fill with roaring water at this time of year. Among the most beautiful are the Sa Stiddiosa waterfall in Seulo, the Sa Spendula waterfall in Villacidro and the Capo Nieddu waterfall in Cuglieri, the only waterfall in Sardinia on the sea.
• On the east coast, walk through the Gola di Gorropu, one of the deepest gorges in Europe.
• Descend to the paradise of Cala Goloritze and enjoy the tranquillity and unique beauty.

 

An autumn holiday in Sardinia offers many opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the island in a quieter, more authentic atmosphere and with milder temperatures. If you would like to discover Sardinia’s still largely unspoilt, wild nature and are interested in spending a relaxing holiday on the island, then contact us and we will create a tailor-made holiday in Sardinia for you.