Sail to the discovery of the most beautiful villages guarded in the heart of Sardinia

Discovering the characteristic villages of Sardinia by sailing the stretch of water of the Tyrrhenian Sea with a ferry, in comfort, is certainly an experience that enriches the adventure spirit of the Belpaese lovers. Sailing from Civitavecchia, Genoa, Livorno, Naples, Palermo, Piombino and Trapani visiting the heart of the Mediterranean has never been so simple and practical as now. Just a simple click and the holiday is booked ... the only hassle, for the lazy, will always be to prepare your own suitcase!

For those who have found the strength to pack and want to start their holiday in an immediate immersion in the most beautiful villages of Sardinia, we recommend taking a ferry to Arbatax, a marine hamlet in the municipality of Tortolì, nestled on the granitic peninsula of Capo Bellavista. The village owes its name to the Arab expression arba'at ‘ashar, which indicates the fourteenth sighting tower of the coast. Known for its tourist and commercial port, the village of Arbatax is often called the Porta dell'Ogliastra, because it connects the island to the port areas of the Italian peninsula, such as Genoa, Livorno and Civitavecchia. For those who love history and experience the charm of the ancient world in Arbatax, they can easily cultivate their passions by exploring the site of s'Ortani 'e su Monti, an area of seven hectares that includes a complex nuraghe, a tomb of Giants, two menhirs, huts, a domu de Janas, a wall and the remains of another nuraghe.

We move into the wonders of the hinterland, in the heart of Barbagia di Ollolai, in a municipality known for its generous hospitality and for its intense characteristic flavors, just sixteen kilometers from Nuoro: the village of Mamoiada. In an area rich in winding streams and lush forests, abundant nectar pastures and vineyards, the village of Mamoiada conquers the visitor's gorge with its typical products and centuries-old agro-pastoral tradition. He is famous throughout the world for the evocative Mamoiadino carnival, which sees the Mamothones as protagonists of the parade, dressed in black masks carved in precious wood and sheepskins on which they load thirty kilos of bells (sa carriga). In the Museum of Mediterranean Masks, near the historic center, you can discover the traditions related to the typical disguise of ancient Mediterranean civilizations and you can admire the Viseras, the works of the great masters of wood. For those who want to deepen their knowledge of the place, customs, and productive activities of Mamoiada, the Museum of Culture and Work will be extremely fascinating and interesting. In the former Golosio house - which belonged to one of the country's aristocratic families - is the MATer: the Museum of Archeology and the Territory, a fascinating multimedia and interactive journey that is articulated through three thematic rooms in which technology and history merge into a perfect balance.

Continuing along the south-western slopes of the Gennargentu, in the nucleus of the island, rises Atzara, an ancient medieval village famous for its quilted campaigns of vineyards and orchards and for its historical textile tradition, of clothes and carpets that have been source inspired by great painters of the first half of the 20th century. It is one of the five most beautiful Sardinian villages in Italy and for years it was a destination of inspiration for very important Sardinian artists, all celebrated in the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, a striking nineteenth-century building completely renovated and located in the historic center. Another unmissable destination is the Parish Church of Sant 'Antioco of Gothic-Catalan architecture of the fifteenth century.

Perched at over seven hundred meters above sea level we find the Municipality of Sadali, a pretty medieval village immersed in a forest of oaks, oaks and cork oaks. Near the small village there are the remains of the Nuraghe Accodulazzo, an archaeological site where pottery dating back to the Roman era was found. For fans of myths and legends we suggest a visit to the caves of Is Janas, enchanted dwellings of three fairies that extend over three hundred meters, adorned with ocher-colored stalactites and stalagmites. Another unique show of its kind, the village of Sadali hosts the extraordinary San Valentino Waterfall that crosses the inhabited center and flows into the sa bucca manna (the big mouth). The waterfall takes its name from the Parish Church of San Valentino, an ancient church around which, in 1335, the village was built. Do not miss the Sa Omu ‘e zia Cramella museum house, where you can admire a collection of typical objects and craft tools.

Another obligatory destination, for those in search of the typical scents of a culture rich in history and splendor like that of Sardinia, is the village of Masullas, a paradise characterized by sublime naturalistic landscapes and archaeological sites. Inhabited by around a thousand souls, Masullas is one of the authentic villages of Italy, dominated by enchanting alleys and houses of sandstone extracted from the quarries located in the valleys of high Marmilla. The village was born from the union of two small villages that had developed around two medieval churches, the Church of Santa Lucia and the Church of San Leonardo built in the XIII century. The two districts joined with the construction of the Parish Church of the Madonna delle Grazie, equipped with an early Christian baptismal font from the VI - VII century after Christ. Another important historical testimony is the Convent of San Francesco, connected to a church that preserves sculptures and wooden statues of the XV - XIX century. Today, the former Capuchin convent is the seat of the GeoMuseum with more than 1800 fossils that tell the geological evolution of the Marmilla.

Here our itinerary ends in the wonders that dot the coast of Sardinia, you just need to book your ferry that will take you to the discovery of one of the most fascinating islands of our Belpaese.