Explore the smaller islands of Sardinia

Discover some of the unspoilt smaller islands of Sardinia, such as the pink sand beach at Budelli, the old town of Calloforte on San Pietro, and the former prison of Mafia bosses on Asinara.

Sardinia is the second biggest Italian island, with a strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. But did you know that more than 30 smaller islands surrounding the main island? Most of these Sardinian islands are tiny and uninhabited, but the biggest ones have at least one populated centre and always a particular story.

Let’s discover the most important small islands in Sardinia….

La Maddalena Archipelago: Maddalena and Caprera islands

This is the most popular Sardinian archipelago, well known around the world for the beauty and singularity of its beaches and waters. The Archipelago is part of the National Park and is a well loved tourist location. The main island of this archipelago is La Maddalena.

Caprera Island is also part of the archipelago and is popular for having hosted the Italian general and hero Giuseppe Garibaldi during his exile and until his death in 1882. You can find the Museum dedicated to him, called the “Hero of two Worlds” for his expeditions both in Europe and South America.

If you are on holiday here, don’t miss visiting the spectacular pink beach, on Budelli Island.

Sulcis Archipelago: Sant Antioco and San Pietro islands

Located in south-western Sardinia, the archipelago has two main islands. Sant’Antioco (108 Km2) is connected to the mainland by an artificial stretch of land. San Pietro (51 Km2) has the unique centre of Carloforte, a small jewel and much appreciated tourist resort.

Carloforte has been listed among “the best Italian municipalities” and has a linguistic and cultural particularity. The island was colonized in 1738 by Ligurian people who introduced their dialect and habits. The language people speak today comes directly from Ligurian and has literally nothing to do with Sardinian language!

Carloforte is a very charming location where you can enjoy the old town, the small beaches with clear blue sea and a delicious plate of Spaghetti alla Carlofortina (Carloforte style) with fresh tuna, pesto and cherry tomatoes.

Asinara Island

Devils’s island, as it was called in the past, is today a true corner of paradise. Asinara is found in the northern part of Sardinia and was closed to the public from 1885 to 1997.

It has been health quarantine station, prison camp during World War I and finally maximum-security prison in the 70s, hosting a few Mafia bosses.

This isolation enabled to preserve its natural beauty, which is today finally safeguarded as Asinara has been declared National Park and can be visited only by following authorised paths and procedures.

Visiting some of the smaller islands off Sardinia will enable you to get in touch with a unique and unspoilt aspect of Sardinia.

This article is by Giulia Garau, an Italian travel lover living in Sardinia. She works in tourism field for the travel agency CharmingSardinia.com.

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Photo Credits: Scoglio di Pan di Zuchero by monastereo, Calaforte on San Pietro by chaz 77, San Antioco beach in Sardinia by Giulia Garau, Pink beach La Maddalena by lamaddalenapark

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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