Things to do in Sant'Antonio di Gallura

Sant'Antonio di Gallura is a village of about 1,400 people set on a granite hill at roughly 350 metres, in the Gallura hinterland between Arzachena, Luogosanto and Olbia. It is surrounded by deep valleys, oak and cork woods and the waters of Lake Liscia. Come here when you want to swap the Costa Smeralda beaches for the Gallura of stazzi (old farmsteads scattered across the countryside), sweeping views and a slower pace, less than half an hour from the sea.

What to see in Sant'Antonio di Gallura

Lu Naracu viewpoint

The highest point of the village is a granite lookout with views from the Limbara massif to the sea off Arzachena and Palau. The name recalls a probable nuraghe (Bronze Age stone tower) of which nothing is visible today. Right next to it stands the little 18th-century church of Sant'Andrea.

Church of Sant'Antonio Abate

The parish church, built in 1912 and dedicated to the patron saint, is the heart of the village, with three aisles, a frescoed apse and a fine high altar. The village itself grew up around it in the early 20th century.

Palazzo Mannu and the country chapels

Palazzo Mannu is a granite mansion in Gallurese style with wrought-iron balconies. Out in the countryside you will find the chapels of La Crucitta, San Giacomo, San Leonardo, San Giuseppe and the rock-cut chapel of San Costantino, beside which opens Lu Pulteddu, a natural «window» in the rock tied to an old folk belief.

Things to do in Sant'Antonio di Gallura

The granite landscape is ideal for hiking and mountain biking on country lanes and trails through cork woods and farmsteads. The shores of Lake Liscia are lovely for walks and photography, especially at sunset. When it is running, the Trenino Verde heritage train on the Sassari–Tempio–Palau line crosses the area, stopping at Sant'Antonio and Lago del Liscia: a slow, scenic way to see inland Gallura. Half an hour's drive takes you to the beaches of the Gulf of Arzachena, so you can mix sea and countryside. Have a look at the experiences offered by local operators just below: hikes, bike rides and boat trips are the best way to enjoy this corner of Gallura.

History

Place names such as Lu Naracu and Lu Nurachéddu and a few remains suggest people lived here in the Nuragic age; there is also a megalithic wall nearby. Medieval documents mention the villa de Castro. The modern village grew in the early 1900s, within the municipality of Calangianus, around the new church, and became independent in 1979.

Food and souvenirs

Expect Gallurese cooking: zuppa gallurese (layers of bread, cheese and broth baked in the oven) and mazza frissa, a cream of fresh cream and semolina. Gallura is Vermentino and cork country: cork objects and sheep's cheese make the most authentic souvenirs.

Festivals and traditions

In mid-January the bonfires of Sant'Antonio Abate are lit for the patron saint. May brings the feasts of La Crucitta and San Giacomo, June those of San Leonardo and San Giuseppe, with traditional country celebrations around the chapels.

Nearby

• Luras: ancient wild olive trees near Lake Liscia.
• Luogosanto: a village of churches and sanctuaries set in granite.
• Arzachena: giants' tombs and nuraghi, then the Costa Smeralda.
• Tempio Pausania and Monte Limbara.

Getting there and when to go

Olbia airport and port are about 40 minutes by car; Arzachena is about a quarter of an hour away. Spring and early autumn are best for walking in the woods; in summer the village is a quiet, cooler base for beach days.

FAQ

How long do I need in Sant'Antonio di Gallura?

Half a day covers the village and the viewpoint; plan a full day if you add Lake Liscia and the olive trees of Luras.

Is Sant'Antonio di Gallura on the sea?

No, it lies inland, but the beaches of the Gulf of Arzachena are about half an hour's drive away.

Is it good for families?

Yes: a relaxed pace, open spaces, the lake and the Trenino Verde are big hits with children.