Located on a promontory overlooking the sea, Castelsardo offers us a panorama and an atmosphere of great charm. It is inevitable to dwell on the beauty of this which is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, a photograph from any perspective you look at it can be easily transformed into a perfect postcard to send to relatives while on vacation. Even here in Castelsardo and in the surrounding areas there is so much to see and do , not only that, there is some curiosity about art and gastronomy.
What to see in Castelsardo
INDEX
1) CASTELSARDO
As always there is the signature of the Dorias . Also in Castelsardo the Ligurians have built a fortress perched on a promontory and that seeing it gives the feeling that the place has experienced years of well-being and happiness alternating with wars and battles for the conquest of the territory. In addition to the beautiful panorama from the castle of Castelsardo , the village offers much more like tradition; it will not be difficult to find some women who still weave vegetable fibers to create Sardinian baskets , one of the jewels of the local tradition. The castle also houses the Museum of Mediterranean weaving, here you can read up on the history of this fantastic art, famous both in Sardinia and throughout the Mediterranean area. Do not miss the boat made only from vegetable reeds and used in the past (some continue to use it) by fishermen in the Santa Giusta pond near Oristano. In Castelsardo you can also admire the beautiful cathedral of Sant'Antonio and in this way you will enter the true soul of the village. In this article on what to see in Castelsardo and its surroundings, much more between history, outdoor activities and gastronomy.
2) THE BEACHES IN THE AREA
One of the closest beaches is definitely Padraladda , which represents the local beach and you will be sure to find some elderly people with deckchairs and umbrellas reading a newspaper at 8 in the morning. In addition to this there is Lu Bagnu , a cream-colored sand and rocky walls with Mediterranean scrub will be a perfect contour to the blue sea. In the area and a few kilometers away also Cala Ostina and Li Junchi , the beach of Badesi.
These beaches just mentioned are not the only ones, on the contrary, they are the most popular. Below you will see a sequence of remote beaches that can be reached by car or by trekking and which are located in the immediate vicinity of Castelsardo. Don't forget us travel planner we absolutely encourage the discovery of remote and off the beaten track areas, but not only that, we also recommend choosing a beach based on the weather condition (may or may not be exposed to winds), based on kind of travellers (perhaps if you are a family I would prefer to recommend a beach with services rather than a remote one that can be reached after 50 minutes of trekking) and at your needs and passions. Choosing our service will be fundamental, before and during your vacation. Enjoy the show.
3) WHAT TO DO (OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES)
Like any coastal city, Castelsardo and its surroundings also offer wonderful outdoor activities . In fact, from the port you can leave for some spectacular areas for diving and snorkeling , there will also be the opportunity to do tourism fishing, sport fishing and surfing in certain areas. By land you can go from horseback riding , passing through beautiful bicycle rides and arriving at the magnificent coastal trekking to discover the red rocks (and its particular shapes) and natural pools. The whole area is frighteningly beautiful and interesting both from a landscape and a geological point of view.
4) HISTORY AND TRADITION
One day I was walking along the road that leads from Castelsardo to Sedini when all of a sudden I saw an elephant by the side of the road. I widened my eyes, I braked, I stopped and I started taking an infinite number of photos. The elephant, however, was made of stone, but there is more. This "simple" elephant is rich in history, it is in fact a domus de janas whose construction dates back to 3000 BC, a burial structure carved into the rock and probably its initial position was in an adjacent mountain. After detaching it has suffered erosion due to the climate which has made it possible to make the rock look like a primordial elephant. An incredible spectacle both from the natural point of view and from the historical and archaeological point of view, it is absolutely worth a visit and is just a few minutes from Castelsardo. Do you want to discover more of the inland area towards Sedini? Read the dedicated article .
One cannot fail to mention the Castle of Castelsardo, a largely preserved hilltop stronghold perched on a boulder. The place and perhaps a first fortification were founded in 1102 by the noble Genoese Doria family as "Castel Genovese" with great strategic importance. Until the fifteenth century, the city and the castle were the seat of the Doria family and served to dominate the possessions in northern Sardinia. Conquered in 1448 by the Spaniards of the Crown of Aragon as the last Sardinian territory, the castle was then called "Castel Aragonese", the place became a royal city ("Royal city of Sardinia") until 1479. From 1767 and with the dominion of the House of Savoy , the castle and the city received the current name Castelsardo. For centuries the castle was occupied by the military until a few decades ago it even served as a barracks for the Carabinieri. To visit.
5) TYPICAL DISHES
There are several typical local dishes that we can recommend and one thing is sure, they are all fish-based dishes as Castelsardo is traditionally a fishing village. Not only what to see then but also what to eat in this beautiful village. Started by the queen of the table, the lobster that is served here in the Aragonese style , a very tasty dish in which the crustacean is seasoned with a creamy sauce based on garlic, oil, lemon, parsley, capers and hard-boiled eggs. Another highly prized typical dish is the Sa Cassola di Castelsardo , which is a mixed fish soup from the Gulf of Asinara. A couple of interesting and typical first courses of the area are the squid ink risotto and spaghetti with sea urchins (which can only be found fresh in winter and spring).
