Cycling Sardinia’s West Coast

Highlights: Seaside Alghero, Catalan & Gothic architecture

There are plenty of ways to get to Alghero including international air connections or by boat from Genoa to Porto Torres. Alghero was a Catalan outpost and has a dialect that is still a mix of Catalan and Italian. We’ll fit bicycles this afternoon and recommend an easy test ride before our special welcome dinner tonight.

Highlights: Scenic coastal riding, the town of Bosa

We’ll follow the coast south toward Bosa this morning. Take your time and enjoy the roller coaster ride this morning as the reality of this mountainous island sinks in – you’re actually cycling suspended between the sea and mountains! Bosa is our first stop and we recommend you take time to explore this fascinating town before enjoying lunch here. A final climb through small coastal vineyards brings us to a plateau dotted with tiny traditional villages. Since Roman times, the Sardinians have never really lived by the sea as pirates and bad weather were more common at sea level.

Highlights: Two-night stay, traditional basket makers, small Sardinian villages

We remain inland today, visiting the towns of Flussìo (famous for its home-made baskets) and Tinnura (famous for its murals) on our way to Cuglieri, a village that still makes olive oil from trees planted by Spanish noble families in the 16th Century, we’ll enjoy a fun descent to a beautiful beach for a refreshing swim. A flat ride brings us to our hotel this afternoon.

Highlights: Optional ride to the Roman ruins of Tharros, explore hidden beaches and bays

Today is a day off the bikes for those who prefer to relax. Or we’ll offer an optional ride to the Phoenician and Roman ruins of Tharros on the coast, where you can enjoy a relaxing swim at the beach. Those with an urge for exploration can spend the entire day cycling to all the little bays and beaches along this wild coast. Your return ride will bring you by salt marshes inhabited by fish and pink flamingoes. Try some famous “bottarga” (fish roe) made in this area, either on pasta or on pizza!

Highlights: Oristano, thermal spa Sardara

Enjoy a relaxing ride to the thermal town of Sardara today. A short distance from Cabras you’ll ride by Oristano, the capital city of the Oristano province. The town boasts an impressive cathedral and several unique medieval towers. South of Oristano, you’ll encounter Arborea, formerly called “Mussolini Town,” which the government built in the 1920s after draining thousands of acres of marshland. The reclamation project fostered a growth in agriculture. Today, Arborea’s cow milk is known across the island. After arriving in Sardara, you may want to check out the local thermal waters, which are often compared to those of Vichy.

Highlights: Giara di Gesturi, basaltic plateau, wild horses, guided visit of Su Nuraxi bronze age nuragic village

We’ll head out on a loop ride to visit the impressive Bronze Age ruins at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Su Nuraxi, located on the outskirts of Barumini. Su Nuraxi dates back as far the the fifteenth century B.C. and is one of the most impressive bronze age cities found in Sardinia. We’ll cycle the basaltic plateau of Giara di Gesturi. Here the Gaira wild horses, known for their small stature, hardiness, and unique adaptation to the rugged terrain of the area, still roam freely. Back to the hotel we can indulge in the thermal pools.

Highlights: Climb Genna Bogai Pass, Arbus, artisanal knives, Iglesias

Today’s ride is one of the most challenging and scenic rides of the trip. As we leave Sardara, we’ll pedal into the Iglesiente-Sulcis region, where mining lead, zinc and coal has been an integral part of life for centuries. In Arbus, we’ll take a break and learn about artisinal knife-making traditions at the Sardinia knife museum. After the first hill, Fluminimaggiore offers a cute spot for a rest before the stunning climb to Genna Bogai Pass. We end the day in Iglesias, a town that is famous for its mining activities and ancient origins and traditions.

Highlights: Bon Voyage!

Your tour ends after breakfast.