Ruins of a stone wall with arches located on the shore of a large body of water, surrounded by green and flowering shrubs on a hill.
Sardinia, Italy 20 – May 26, 2024

Sardinia May 2024

Seven days in the southwest of Sardinia: deserted beaches along the Iglesiente coast, old mining ruins overlooking Pan di Zucchero, flamingos, and an unforgettable tapas evening in Sant'Antioco.

Seven days in the southwest of Sardinia — our first trip to the island. We spent three nights each in two AirBnBs: first in Iglesias as a base for the spectacular Iglesiente coast with old mining ruins and deserted beaches, then on Sant'Antioco, where we took time for beach days, flamingos, and an unforgettable tapas evening.

Itinerary

1
Iglesias

20 – May 23, 2024

2
Sant'Antioco

23 – May 26, 2024

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1

Iglesias

20 – May 23, 2024

Airbnb · Iglesias, Zentrum
Waves rolling onto a sandy beach with a partly cloudy blue sky and rocky coastline in the background.
Ruins of a stone wall with arches located on the shore of a large body of water, surrounded by green and flowering shrubs on a hill.
Ruins of a stone wall with arches located on the shore of a large body of water, surrounded by green and flowering shrubs on a hill.
Coastal landscape with rocks in the blue sea and a hillside covered with green and red vegetation under a cloudy sky.
View of rocky islands and rugged coastline in the sea under a cloudy sky, with green vegetation and agave plants in the foreground.

Iglesiente — between mining and sea

Iglesias was our base camp for three nights, right in the center of the old mining town. From here, we explored the rugged Iglesiente coast in the west: long lonely beaches, disused mines, and spectacular views of Pan di Zucchero, a striking rock off the coast.

Zürich Cagliari

Zürich → Cagliari

Cagliari Flughafen Iglesias

Cagliari → Iglesias

Spiaggia di Fontanamare

On the first morning, we drove to the Spiaggia di Fontanamare — an endlessly long, fine sandy beach, and we had it completely to ourselves. No one around for miles, just the sea and the wind. A start that got us excited for more.

Waves rolling onto a sandy beach with a partly cloudy blue sky and rocky coastline in the background.
Clear ocean with turquoise water meeting a wide sandy beach under a blue sky with white clouds, with hills and mountains in the background.
Waves rolling onto a sandy beach with a partly cloudy blue sky and rocky coastline in the background.
Spiaggia di Fontanamare

Langer, feiner Sandstrand westlich von Iglesias. In der Nebensaison fast menschenleer — perfekt für einen ruhigen Morgen am Meer.

Laveria Lamarmora & Pan di Zucchero

Next, we headed into the mountains to Nebida, to the Laveria Lamarmora — an abandoned ore washing plant right on the cliff. The path leads down many steps, but the view is worth every single one: the old ruins before the sea and, opposite, the impressive Pan di Zucchero. A true lost place with a view.

View of a steep coastline with green hills, a small beach in the distance, and a blue sea under a partly cloudy sky, framed by branches and leaves in the foreground.
Ruins of an old rectangular stone structure with arched windows by the coastline overlooking the sea, with grassy and shrub-covered hills in the foreground.
Ruins of a stone wall with arches located on the shore of a large body of water, surrounded by green and flowering shrubs on a hill.
View of a steep coastline with green hills, a small beach in the distance, and a blue sea under a partly cloudy sky, framed by branches and leaves in the foreground.
Laveria Lamarmora

Verlassene Erzwaschanlage unterhalb von Nebida. Treppensteig mit grandiosem Blick auf den Pan di Zucchero. Festes Schuhwerk empfohlen.

Spiaggia Portu Cauli

On day two, we spent time in Portu Cauli — a small, hidden cove on the Iglesiente coast. Rocks, clear water, and little hustle and bustle, just right for a relaxing beach day between hiking and the sea.

Coastal landscape featuring a rocky beach, green vegetation in the foreground, and a distinctive rocky island in the turquoise sea under a blue sky.
Coastal landscape with a rocky beach, blue sea, and wooded hills under a bright blue sky with some clouds.
Entrance to Spiaggia Portu Cauli beach with a wooden sign and stairs leading down to a rocky beach with blue sea and partly cloudy sky.
Coastal landscape featuring a rocky beach, green vegetation in the foreground, and a distinctive rocky island in the turquoise sea under a blue sky.
Spiaggia Portu Cauli

Kleine Bucht mit Felsen und kristallklarem Wasser, gut versteckt an der Iglesiente-Küste.

2

Sant'Antioco

23 – May 26, 2024

Airbnb · An der Promenade, Sant'Antioco
Pebble and sandy beach with rocks along the coastline and view of the blue sea under a partly cloudy sky.
Beach with sand and rocks in the foreground, calm turquoise sea surrounded by green-covered cliffs under a cloudy sky.
View of the sea with a boat, visible buildings with red tile roofs and a white house, with a blurred bouquet of yellow, white, and pink flowers in the foreground.
Clear turquoise water along a rocky coastline with visible rocks beneath the water surface and vegetation on the shore.
Two pizzas in boxes on a white table, accompanied by two bowls with sides: one with broccoli and tomato sauce, the other with burrata and yellow cherry tomatoes. Also visible are a can of drink and a package of sausage.

Sant'Antioco — island time

From Iglesias, we continued south to the island of Sant'Antioco, which is connected to the mainland by a short dam. Our AirBnB was right on the promenade — perfect for starting the day with a sea view in the morning. Three relaxing days with beach, flamingos, and an evening that will particularly stay in our memory.

Iglesias Sant'Antioco

Iglesias → Sant'Antioco

Spiaggia Coaquaddus

On the day of arrival, we drove to the southern tip of the island to the Spiaggia Coaquaddus — bright sand, turquoise water, and a long beach that we shared with just a few others. Back at the accommodation, we cooked pasta and let the first day wind down comfortably.

A wide sandy beach with a few umbrellas and people, surrounded by green hills under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Pebble and sandy beach with rocks along the coastline and view of the blue sea under a partly cloudy sky.
A wide sandy beach with a few umbrellas and people, surrounded by green hills under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Spiaggia Coaquaddus

Langer Strand am südlichen Ende der Insel Sant'Antioco. Heller Sand, klares Wasser und meist wenig Betrieb.

Flamingos & Spiaggia Cala Lunga

On the second day, we first went to the lagoon around Isola Porcu e Scriba — right on the access road to the island. Here you can, with a bit of luck, spot flamingos; in quiet moments, entire groups wander through the shallow water. In the afternoon, we then drove to the Spiaggia Cala Lunga on the peninsula of Calasetta: wide beach, clear water, beach day. In the evening, we picked up pizza to go and combined it with a freshly bought burrata — simple and perfect.

Isola Porcu e Scriba (Flamingo-Lagune)

Flache Salzlagune direkt an der Zufahrtsstraße nach Sant'Antioco. Guter Spot, um Flamingos in freier Wildbahn zu beobachten — besonders am späten Nachmittag.

Beach with sand and rocks in the foreground, calm turquoise sea surrounded by green-covered cliffs under a cloudy sky.
Spiaggia Cala Lunga

Breiter Sandstrand auf der Halbinsel Calasetta mit klarem Wasser. Gut für lange Strandtage.

Rocky Coast & Raices Tapas

On the third day, we stayed by the water — however, at a section of rocks instead of sand, south of Calasetta. Perfect for jumping into the clear water and just doing nothing. In the evening, the culinary highlight of the trip: Raices Tapas, a newly opened restaurant highly recommended by us. Creative tapas, beautiful ambiance, and a service that makes you feel right at home.

Clear water with rocks and seaweed along the coast under a blue sky and distant sea horizon.
Underwater view of marine algae and shells on rocks on the seabed with a small red fish in between.
Clear turquoise water along a rocky coastline with visible rocks beneath the water surface and vegetation on the shore.
Fried potato slices on a gray plate, garnished with grated cheese and fresh mint leaves, placed on a wooden table. In the background, a glass of drink with ice and mint and a woven basket with bread.
Raices Tapas

Frisch eröffnetes Tapas-Restaurant auf Sant'Antioco. Kreative Küche, liebevoll angerichtete Teller, entspanntes Ambiente. Absolute Empfehlung!

Pizza with crispy crust topped with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves in a white pizza box.
View of a set wooden table in a restaurant with two white plates, folded napkins, a bread basket containing two types of bread, two glasses with drinks, a small bottle and small bowls.

Return journey with Zurich stopover

On the morning of the return trip, we left Sant'Antioco early and drove across Sardinia north to the airport. On the way back via Zurich we had about six hours layover — enough for a little walk into the old town before heading into the second leg.

Nord-Sardinien Zürich

Nord-Sardinien → Zürich → Heimat

Riverside street with historic buildings, moored boats, and people along the railing under a partly cloudy sky.
Wide river or lake with clear water surface and birds flying above, promenade with people and trees along the shore under sunny sky with some clouds.
Several swans swimming on a large calm lake with a shoreline and hills in the background under a cloudy sky.

Our travel stamps

  • Cagliari IT
  • Iglesias IT
  • Nebida IT
  • Sant'Antioco IT
  • Calasetta IT
  • Zurich CH