North-West · Città metropolitana di Sassari

Things to do in Sorso

Things to do in Sorso, Sardinia: Platamona and Marina di Sorso beaches, Palazzo Baronale, Billellera fountain, Moscato wine and local festivals.

Sorso, Sardegna — © Gianni Careddu · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

All Adventure and sport Culture and traditions Families and kids Food and wine Nature and hiking Sea Wellness

We are gathering the first experiences for this area. Check back soon, or tell us about an operator you know.

Sorso is a small town of around 14,000 people a few kilometres from Sassari, in the Romangia, a little area of hills planted with vines and vegetable gardens sloping down to the Gulf of Asinara. It combines a compact old centre with churches and a noble palace and about 18 km of sandy coast between Marina di Sorso and Platamona. It suits families looking for wide, easy beaches, wine lovers and anyone wanting a quiet base to explore north-west Sardinia.

What to see in Sorso

Old centre and San Pantaleo church

The heart of town is the parish church of San Pantaleo, a large Neoclassical building begun in 1836 and considered one of the finest examples of the style in northern Sardinia. Around it run the streets of the old centre, with historic houses and small squares. Nearby is the 16th-century late-Gothic oratory of Santa Croce, which holds an old wooden crucifix.

Palazzo Baronale

Built in the 17th century by the Amat family, the local feudal lords, it has been restored as a cultural centre. It hosts exhibitions and events and houses Biddas, a museum devoted to Sardinia's abandoned villages, with finds from the medieval village of Geridu, which vanished from Sorso's territory in the 14th century.

Billellera fountain

The town's best-known 17th-century fountain comes with a playful legend: whoever drinks its water becomes maccu, a bit crazy. Hence the people of Sorso's reputation as cheerful eccentrics, a story they tell themselves with a smile.

Noli Me Tollere sanctuary

Just outside the centre, the sanctuary holds a much-venerated statue of the Virgin and is the focus of one of the town's most heartfelt festivals.

Archaeology

The area preserves domus de janas (prehistoric rock-cut tombs, "fairy houses"), nuraghi (Bronze Age stone towers) and the sacred well of Serra Niedda, signs of very ancient settlement.

Things to do in Sorso

Life in Sorso moves between sea and countryside:

Beach days along Marina di Sorso and Platamona, with water sports such as kitesurfing and SUP when conditions are right.
Walks and bike rides in the pine woods behind the beach and around the Platamona lagoon, good for birdwatching.
Winery visits to taste Moscato di Sorso-Sennori and other Romangia wines.
Horse riding in the countryside and along the coast.
Boat trips in the Gulf of Asinara from nearby harbours.

Below you will find the experiences offered by local operators: have a look and book the one that suits you.

Beaches in Sorso

Platamona: a very long beach of pale sand shared with Sassari, backed by pine woods, with beach clubs and facilities. The seabed shelves gently, ideal for families.
Marina di Sorso: the eastern continuation of the shore, with quieter stretches and dunes.
Eden Beach and Riviera di Sorso: sandy stretches with summer facilities, popular with those wanting space and open sea.

When the mistral blows the gulf can get rough, and those days belong to surfers and kiters.

History

The area has been inhabited since prehistory, as the rock-cut tombs and nuraghi show. The village appears in medieval documents of the Judicate of Torres, one of Sardinia's four medieval kingdoms, and was later tied to the free commune of Sassari. Under the Aragonese it became a fief held by several noble families, including the Amat, who built the Palazzo Baronale. In 1839, when feudalism was abolished, Sorso became an independent municipality. In the 20th century farming, especially vines, brought prosperity, and today it is one of Italy's official Wine Towns. People here speak Sassarese, the same language as Sassari and Porto Torres.

Food and local products

The fertile Romangia soil yields vegetables, olives, fruit and above all grapes. The signature wine is Moscato di Sorso-Sennori, a sweet DOC dessert wine. Aubergines are so tied to the town that they have their own festival. You will also find Sassari-area cooking, with chickpea fainè, snails and fish from the gulf. To take home: wine, extra virgin olive oil and preserved vegetables.

Festivals and traditions

Holy Week: Good Friday and Easter processions and rites.
Noli Me Tollere: in late May, the feast at the Virgin's sanctuary.
San Pantaleo, the patron saint, and the Aubergine Festival: in late July.
Calici di Stelle: on 10 August, wine tasting under the San Lorenzo shooting stars.

Nearby

Sassari (about 15 minutes): old town, Museo Sanna and the Candelieri festival.
Sennori (a few minutes): Sorso's twin in Moscato, with views over the gulf.
Castelsardo (about 25 minutes): a medieval village by the sea.
Porto Torres (about 25 minutes): San Gavino basilica and boats to Asinara.
Osilo (about 25 minutes): the Malaspina castle and views over the Anglona.

Getting there and when to go

The nearest airport is Alghero-Fertilia, about 45 minutes by car; Olbia is about an hour and a half away. The port of Porto Torres is about 25 minutes away. From Sassari it is a short drive on the provincial road, while the coast road links the beaches with Platamona and Castelsardo. The best beach season is June to September; spring and autumn are perfect for wineries, walks and avoiding the crowds.