A tiny speck of an island off the southwestern tip of Sardinia, it takes only about 20 minutes to reach Sant’Antioco from Portoscuso by car and less than an hour to walk around the entire island. Yet Sant’Antioco is an island of immense charm, with a plethora of archaeological sites spanning several millennia, some of Sardinia’s most beautiful beaches, and a packed calendar of summer events and festivals. The waterfront is like an unofficial daily fish market, and locals rise early to see what catch they can buy directly from the fisherman.
Climbing the sloping streets of this colorful city, you’ll encounter numerous archaeological sites from various eras. Inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC, it contains pre-Nuragic and Nuragic remains, a Roman catacomb complex, and Italy’s oldest city: Sulky, founded by the Phoenicians in 770 BC.
With a series of museums and archaeological sites spanning thousands of years, there’s no shortage of things to do. If you’re looking for the highest vantage points, Forte Sabaudo Su Pisu offers one of the best panoramic views of Sant’Antioco.
A small harbor, colorful houses, and restaurants filling the air with inviting aromas: this is the seaside soul of Sant’Antioco.
The manufacturing art is expressed through weaving, byssus processing (to which a museum is dedicated), and wooden boatbuilding. The MuMa museum summarizes maritime history and traditions, including the lateen sail. The tophet and necropolis (5th-3rd century BC) remain, occupying the entire hill of the basilica and on which the Roman necropolis and later a catacomb cemetery, unique in Sardinia, were built.The name of the island and city derives from the patron saint of Sardinia, an African martyr exiled to the island. The Basilica of Sant’Antioco is dedicated to him, first mentioned in 1089, although Sulci was a bishopric from 484 (to the 13th century). Originally a cruciform Byzantine building, it now has three naves with as many apses. The eternal bond with the saint is renewed 15 days after Easter, with Sardinia’s oldest religious festival, unchanged since 1615. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, the uninhabited island was overrun by thousands of faithful celebrating the martyr. Currently, the Saturday before Sa Festa Manna is the site of a parade of is coccois (ceremonial bread), while on August 1st another festival is celebrated in honor of the saint, featuring a parade in traditional dress.
The coastline, high and rugged to the south with dark trachyte cliffs and sandier to the north, boasts ideal seabeds for diving. Portixeddu is the closest beach to the city, surrounded by pale rocks and the greenery of rare Phoenician junipers, centuries-old dwarf palms, and Mediterranean plants. It is pebbly, like the larger Turri. Maladroxa, meanwhile, is a stretch of fine gray sand: thermal waters, already exploited by the Romans, emerge from its seabed. Past the Serra de is tres Portus promontory and the Santa Caterina pond, where black-winged stilts and flamingos nest, you’ll reach the wide, winding beach of Coqquaddus. On the cliffs of is Praneddas (or ‘Arch of Kisses’), you’ll stand on a terrace 200 meters above the sea. Off the flat, salt-white rocks of Cala Sapone, the Phoenicians once fished for tuna. Today you will observe the ruins of the 19th-century tuna factory. Other suggestive bays nearby: Cala Grotta and Cala della Signora. Capo Sperone is the southernmost point: iridescent blue sea and expanses of pink peonies. In the background are the islets of Vacca and Toro, protected areas where the Eleonora’s falcon flies, the scene of the naval battle between the Roman and Sardinian-Punic fleets (258 BC). Further on is the solitary s’Ega de is Tirias beach, from which you can explore the wild coastline by mountain bike or boat up to Portu de su Trigu.
Welcome to our B&B where every day starts with the smell of fresh lemons and an unmistakable Sardinian hospitality. We promise to give you an amazing experience plenty of beauty and serenity.
CIN: IT111057C1000F0541
