A1Vacations is part of HomeAway.com, the world’s leading vacation rentals marketplace.
Search over 150,000 vacation rentals properties now! Click here to see more Vacation Homes

Home, A1 Vacations, Europe, Italy, Sardinia Vacation Rentals

Search for vacation rental homes on Sardinia

Northern Sardinia: Tons of Fun off Italy's Coast!

Northern Sardinia is rapidly developing a reputation as a premier vacation destination. Located off the coast of Italy's western shore, Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean Sea surrounds Sardinia, providing a natural playground for all outdoor enthusiasts. The northern portion of the island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, so prime sun tanning time is an obvious part of any vacation. If you crave activity, look no further than the Emerald Coast, where you can find all the swimming, sport fishing, scuba diving, wind surfing, sea kayaking, and canoeing that can be done in a month of vacations!

For a one-stop-shopping vacation destination, point your compass to Porto Cervo. This seaside town is the place where Armani shops duke it out with Versace boutiques on the same block. Extravagant yachts patrol the shoreline, as young, affluent Europeans flock to the nightlife and pristine beaches. For prime people watching, head to Cala Liscia Ruja, the town's biggest beach. The restaurants, cafes, sidewalk shops, and wealthy citizens make Porto Cervo a magnet for anyone wanting to enjoy a cultured, posh vacation spot.

In contrast to Porto Cervo, Alghero, on the northwestern coast, is more genteel, less harried, and more reminiscent of an older Italy. The city's center is a menagerie of cobblestone walls and quaint cafes that line medieval piazzas. One of the most popular sights in town is the Torre di Porta Terra, built in the 16th century. The "Jewish Tower", as it is called, is one of several scenic towers that define the Alghero skyline. Another popular building is the Duomo, a Catalan-Gothic creation that reflects Sardinia's Spanish past.

For a look at the interior of Sardinia, visit scenic Nuoro, which sits on the edge of the Barbagia region, a series of isolated villages populated mainly by shepherds who have never been under the control of any overlord. The Romans called the area "Barbaria", because they could never circumvent the surrounding Gennargentu mountains. While in Nuoro, be sure to visit the Museu della Vita e della Tradizioni Populari Sarde (folk art museum). There is a comprehensive collection of historical items, such as traditional Sardinian costumes and jewelry. There is also a tribute to Grazia Deledda, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature, and is from Nuoro.

With hundreds of miles of shoreline, the northern coast of Sardinia is a bountiful spot for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts. Coral reefs, wrecks, caves, walls, and fish of every description offer divers of all skill levels adequate opportunities for exploration. Lo Stazzu, on the Paradise Coast is famous for the various lobster species that patrol the site. Other animals you might see include octopus, red coral, moray eels, and what is believed to be the largest mussel species in the world, the Pinna nobilis fan mussel. Advanced divers will want to dive the Grotta Niedda, also on the Paradise Coast. Underwater torches or flashlights are needed to explore the extensive maze of tunnels, canyons, and caves. Other dive sites dot the coves and offshore areas of the Archipelago di La Maddalena National Park. The park is a series of islands that reside just off the northwest portion of Sardinia, between Bocche di Bonifacio and the Emerald Coast.

Northern Sardinia has everything to soothe the savage vacationer. If you want to relax in the sun with a good book, Sardinia has it. If you want to drink wine while sitting in a medieval piazza, Sardinia has it. If you want to trek out to the back country where the sheep outnumber the people, Sardinia has it. If you have an archaeological bent, you might want to visit one of the many Nuraghe sites that dot the Sardinia landscape, and lend your theory as to who made them. Sardinia is a land of plenty. All you need is a big appetite!