Carbonia in brief – tourist information and more

The town of Carbonia with its 30,000 inhabitants is located in the southwestern tip of Sardinia and belongs to the province of Carbonia-Iglesias. The island’s capital, Cagliari, is about 70 km away.

What are the top attractions to see in Carbonia

Coal was mined around Carbonia for many centuries, but the last mines were closed in the 1970s, leading to an economic downturn in the region. In Carbonia you can visit the Serbariu coal mine museum with an exhibition of how the pit head works. In addition you can explore with guided tours an very interesting underground gallery equipped with the tools used in the past by the miners who worked in the numerous underground chambers.

Sights include Monte Sirai, on the northwestern periphery of Carbonia, where a Phoenician-Punic necropolis and a tophet have been excavated. Not far from there are prehistoric sites like the Domus de Janas Su Carroppu, a pre-Nuragic chamber tomb, and the Nuraghe Sirai. In Carbonia you can visit the necropolis of Cannas di Sotto which is still partly unexplored.

Best things to do in Carbonia and surroundings

Some of the abandoned mines and settlements were recently openend for visitors and make part of the Parco Geominerario project. Often former mine workers guide you through “their” mines and their memories bring an often unknown side of Sardinia back to life.

We recommend to visit near Buggerru the Galleria Henry and near Masua the harbour Porto Flavia in front of the impressive Pan di Zucchero stack.

In Nebida we recommend to walk the Belvedere of Nebida which offers beautiful views onto the Pan di Zucchero (sugar leaf) and the sea. Next to the sea there are the ruins of the Laveria Lamarmora, where lead and zinc were processed.

The best way to explore the beauties of this coastal strip, like the Pan di Zucchero stack or the harbour Porto Flavia, is by boat from the marina of Buggerru.

Best beaches around Carbonia

If you can’t get enough impressions, you should also take the coastal road from the Fontanamara beach to Buggeru and Capo Pecora through a fascinating and mainly unspoilt nature and along kilometers of white sandy beaches: The main beaches are the one of San Nicolao and Portixeddu. Near Buggerru is situated one of the most beautiful beaches of Sardinia, the Cala Domestica, worth a visit all year round.