Sardinia is not only made of unspoiled, dreamlike beaches. Across the island, you can find many places of cultural interest that reveal another soul of this fascinating land. Today, we want to guide you in the discovery of Sardinia’s murals and suggest a short tour you can follow during your holiday in Sardinia.
The mural villages
At the top of the list is San Sperate. The passion for this form of art came to life thanks to one of Sardinia’s most important artists: Pinuccio Sciola, best known for his “sound stones”. What makes these murals unique is their origin. The artist involved the entire community and invited creators from all over the world to leave their mark along the village streets. San Sperate is located near Cagliari and can be easily reached by car or scooter.
In second place is Orgosolo, a village in the Barbagia region where murals have become the highest expression of political and social protest. Starting from the 1980s, the artworks expanded to include scenes of everyday local life. The first mural dates back to 1969, created by the Diòniso Group, and today more than 150 murals can be admired.
In third place we find San Gavino, which has a much more recent mural tradition compared to the first two. Today, over 40 murals decorate the village, depicting scenes of all kinds: from daily life to local traditions, such as its renowned saffron. Whole streets have become open-air canvases telling the stories of the people who live in those houses, portrayed with remarkable artistic skill.
Let’s return for a moment to the centre of Sardinia, heading up to the Gennargentu mountains to visit Fonni, one of the most popular winter holiday destinations. The murals here are around 30 in total, once again portraying the daily life of the village, including its traditional Carnival masks. The tour winds through uphill and downhill paths, all to be explored on foot to admire these works of art.
Tips for the perfect holiday
If you visit Sardinia in summer, you can take a break from the beaches and explore these small inland wonders. One piece of advice is to plan your mural tour during mid-season. The summer heat can make outdoor walks tiring, so autumn and spring are ideal.
Another tip is to rent a car to organise your travels efficiently. Many villages known for their murals are not easily reachable by public transport, and even when they are, buses won’t give you the flexibility to manage your time as you please. If you arrive at Olbia Airport, you can explore our fleet on Ellepi and book your car before your arrival.
A final suggestion is to enrich your mural tour with additional stops to visit archaeological sites and historical areas near the destinations mentioned: nuraghi, castles, giants’ tombs and stunning natural landscapes are waiting for you!
