Holiday apartment in Sassari: culture, coast and Sardinian tradition

Sassari combines a compact historic centre that can be explored entirely on foot with striking evidence of Sardinian history, lively traditions and diverse coastal landscapes. Between museums, festivals, archaeological sites, regional cuisine and the sea, the city and its surroundings reveal a multifaceted character.

Culture

The Thàmus cultural network connects Sassari’s historic centre with cultural treasures outside the city through a museum and cultural heritage tour. The entire visitor area of the Museo Archeologico Nazionale G. A. Sanna is accessible and free of architectural barriers. The Palazzo Ducale was Sassari’s most important civil residence and is now the seat of the city administration. A footbridge also provides access to five basement rooms there. They belonged to 16th-century houses and were uncovered during excavations.

The Museo Diocesano is located directly next to the Cattedrale di San Nicola. It houses the cathedral’s sacred silverware, liturgical vestments and furnishings, valuable mass books and paintings. The façade of the Cattedrale di San Nicola was completed in the first quarter of the 18th century; it is first mentioned in the Condaghe di San Pietro di Silki, dating from the early years of the 12th century. At the barbican of the Aragonese castle, today’s visitor route leads through two superimposed corridors, each approximately 80 metres long. The lower corridor still contains 26 firing openings for arquebuses.

Traditions

The Cavalcata Sarda takes place every year, centred on the penultimate Sunday in May. Traditional Sardinian costumes are displayed during the event. On Sunday morning, the central procession travels approximately two kilometres through Sassari’s city centre, with more than 2,000 costumed participants passing by. The Faradda dei Candelieri di Sassari was also included in 2013 in the entry “Feste delle Grandi Macchine a Spalla” of Italy’s intangible cultural heritage.

The Domus de Janas di Montalè is also one of the sites with clearly regulated visitor access: the exhibition tour is accessible to groups and school classes only by prior reservation. A few kilometres from Sassari, on the road to Porto Torres, lies the prehistoric sanctuary of Monte d’Accoddi. It is considered a unique archaeological complex in the Mediterranean region. In the Sassari area, the 42-metre-long ascending access ramp at Monte d’Accoddi leads to the top of the sanctuary.

Coast and nature

Porto Ferro is a Special Area of Conservation recognised by the European Union, known in Italian as ZSC, and forms part of the Natura 2000 network. The area is suitable for surfing and windsurfing; the waves are shaped by mistral, westerly and south-westerly winds. At Porto Palmas, the seabed near the shore is shallow and sandy, making it suitable for families. Farther out, there are rocky areas used by diving enthusiasts.

The coastline of Platamona extends across the municipal territories of Porto Torres to the west, Sassari in the centre and Sorso to the east. As a result, the coastal areas around Sassari bring together different landscape features: the protected area of Porto Ferro, the wind-shaped waves, the shallow, sandy seabed near Porto Palmas and the rocky areas farther offshore.

Sardinian cuisine

Fainè is a dish made from chickpea flour and is considered a signature dish of Sassari. You can still try it in the city. Cordula, also called “cordhura intrecciadda”, is a traditional dish made from interwoven lamb and sheep intestines. In Sassari, it is prepared mainly with peas or grilled.

Getting around

For public transport, the ATP SASSARI and AROUND SARDINIA apps provide tickets, timetables including real-time information, and route planning. The InfoSassari tourist information office provides individuals, groups and tourism professionals with free information in Italian and foreign languages.

Other places

Alghero, Castelsardo, Marina Di Sorso, Platamona, Stintino, Uri, Valledoria, Sassari, Olmedo, Fertilia, Palmadula, Tottubella, Codrongianos, Santa Maria Coghinas, La Ciaccia, Sorso, Tula, Porto Torres, Perfugas, Lu Bagnu, Maristella, Sennori, Tergu, Villanova Monteleone, Ploaghe, Mores, La Muddizza, Santa Maria La Palma, Viddalba, Osilo, Ozieri, Ossi, Tissi, Usini, Benetutti, Chiaramonti, Nughedu San Nicolò, Villa Gorizia, Pattada, Santa Vittoria, Ittiri, Nulvi, San Nicola, Campanedda, Banari, Ardara, Martis, Sedini, Marritza, Padria, Bonorva, Cheremule, Torralba, Bono, Florinas, Muros, Fiume Santo, Bottidda, Bessude, Putifigari

To the broader travel overview: Sardinia.