Parks and Palaces

Piercy Villa and Gardens is part of the Badde Salighes estate given to Welsh engineer Benjamin Piercy, in exchange for his expertise in designing the Sardinian railroad. The estate’s English-style villa was built in 1879 and hosted lavish parties for high-profile British and Italian friends. Outside, the extensive gardens are home to numerous British, European and more exotic flora including oaks, maples, chestnuts, and cypresses. Of particular interest is the 1000-year-old yew tree, believed to be one of the oldest on the island. To book the guided tour, click here.
Note the villa and gardens is only open on Saturdays and Sundays.
If you are doing this trip during the week, you could visit San Leonardo De Siete Fuentes park instead. It is 7km North of Santa Lussurgiu village, on the way to Villa Piercy. This beautiful woodland park is fed by the waters of 7 springs (from where the village gets its name) and has a number of streams and ponds.

This simple, taverna-style bar has an incredible selection of over 100 mini sandwiches (hot and cold) to choose from. But the best thing about this place is its location on Piazza d’Italia, Sassari’s main square. It’s perfect for people watching and admiring the grand buildings around the piazza, including the Giordano Palace. Built in 1877 for Senator Giuseppe Giordano Apostoli, founder of the newspaper La Sardegna, it is now owned by Banco di Napoli.

Piazza del Comune sits in the heart of the historic centre and houses the Palazzo Ducale, which was built between 1775 and 1805 by artists from Lombardi. It is currently the town hall. Behind the palace, the beautiful Medieval Cattedrale di San Nicola is also worth checking out. From here you can weave your way back through the maze of tall buildings and narrow cobbled streets to the main piazza.

Dubbed the ‘green lung’ of Sassari, this 6-hectare park has evolved over the last 3 centuries, from its original incarnation as farmland, to a stunning and very refined garden containing extensive species of flora, including exotic palms, pomegranate and chestnut trees, magnolias and willows, interwoven with elaborate ornamental features. Follow paths lined with oak, carob, pine and cypress trees, admire the islands planted with orange trees, and peek through strategically-designed clearings for ‘glimpses’ of the town.
The land has been owned by five families, most of whom have added individual architectural features. Of these, perhaps the most beautiful is the ‘water temple’ terrace, overlooking the huge nymphaeum (pool) which can be reached by a path through the olive grove. Also worth checking out is the 14 metre high Torre di Caccia. Walk up the steps to this tower for far-reaching views to the coast.
The park is now publicly owned and is free to visit.

Tenuta Soletta winery was established in 1996 and produces a range of wines, typical of the region. Join the tour at 5pm where you will walk around the vineyard to learn about different soil types and how to select the right vines, followed by a visit to the cellar to learn about the whole process, from fermentation to bottling, and ending with a tasting of 3 wines in the winery’s kitchen.
Note the tour and tasting needs to be booked in advance. Book online.

La Barcaccia is a smart seafront restaurant, with stupendous views of the ocean and the historic centre of Alghero.

This is a pretty B&B in a nicely renovated old building, convenient for the historic centre.