Things to do in Arborea

Arborea is a small town in central-western Sardinia, about 17 km south of Oristano, founded in 1928 on land reclaimed from the Sassu marsh. With its grid of streets, steep-roofed houses and Tyrolean-style church, it looks like a corner of northern Italy transplanted to Sardinia, and indeed it was settled by farmers from the Veneto, Friuli and Romagna. It's worth a visit for its unique architecture, its long pine-backed beach and its bird-filled lagoons: ideal for families, cyclists and nature lovers.

What to see in Arborea

The planned town centre

The town was designed from scratch, with a regular layout and public buildings around the main square. On a stroll you'll spot the town hall, the offices of the Società Bonifiche Sarde (the land-reclamation company), the former Casa del Balilla and the former Casa del Fascio with its tower: a rare Sardinian example of a 1920s–30s new town, with houses mixing Art Nouveau and neo-Gothic touches.

The Church of Cristo Redentore

On the square stands the parish church of Cristo Redentore, built in Tyrolean style, its pointed bell tower surprising first-time visitors: a symbol of Arborea's northern roots.

Archaeology collection and pumping station

The town hall houses the civic archaeological collection, with finds from the Roman cemetery of S'Ungroni. Outside the centre, take a look at the modernist Sassu pumping station, opened in 1934: the machine that made it possible to drain the marsh.

S'Ena Arrubia lagoon

Near the coast, the S'Ena Arrubia lagoon is a protected wetland home to many waterbirds; pink flamingos are often seen here too.

Things to do in Arborea

The flat land, crossed by straight roads between fields and canals, is perfect for cycling: you can ride past farms, pine woods and the sea in total calm. The lagoons are a must for birdwatching, especially in spring and autumn, while frequent winds along the coast draw kitesurfers and windsurfers.

• Walks in the pine wood and along the beach, on horseback too.
• Farm visits to discover the local dairy and fruit-growing tradition.
• Lagoon outings to S'Ena Arrubia and Marceddì.

Below you'll find the activities offered by operators in and around Arborea: choose the one that suits you and experience a corner of Sardinia unlike any other.

Beaches of Arborea

Marina di Arborea is a long stretch of pale sand lined by a dense pine wood that gives natural shade in the hottest hours. The seabed shelves gently, making it suitable for families with children; on mistral days the sea livens up and becomes a playground for wind sports. It's a wide beach and far less crowded than the better-known spots of the Sinis.

History

Before the 20th century this was a marshy, malaria-ridden plain with the Sassu lagoon at its centre, although the area was inhabited in Roman times, as the S'Ungroni cemetery shows. Reclamation, begun early in the century and completed under Fascism by the Società Bonifiche Sarde, turned swamp into fertile farmland. The village was inaugurated on 29 October 1928 as Villaggio Mussolini and became a municipality in 1930 under the name Mussolinia di Sardegna. It was settled mainly by families from the Veneto and Friuli, and Venetian and Friulian dialects can still be heard alongside Sardinian. It has been called Arborea since 1944, after the medieval Judicate. After the war malaria was finally defeated and Arborea became one of the island's leading farming and dairy centres.

What to eat and buy

Arborea means milk: its Friesian dairy herds and large local plant have made the name known across Sardinia, along with yoghurt, butter and fresh cheeses. The countryside supplies vegetables and above all strawberries. The local table blends Sardinian dishes with recipes brought by the settlers, such as polenta. To take home: dairy products, strawberries in season and wines from the nearby Terralba area.

Festivals and traditions

• Sagra della Fragola (strawberry festival): between late April and early May, with tastings and stalls.
• Sagra della Polenta: in autumn, a festival dear to the settlers' descendants, with polenta, cheese and sausage.

Nearby

• Marceddì: a fishing hamlet on the lagoon, about 9 km away, with a 16th-century tower.
• Oristano: the provincial capital, with its old town and the Sartiglia, about 20 minutes away.
• Santa Giusta: a splendid Romanesque basilica and its lagoon, on the road to Oristano.
• Costa Verde: the great Piscinas dunes, about an hour south.

Getting there and when to go

Arborea is reached by car from the SS131 Carlo Felice highway, exiting towards Oristano south or Terralba. The nearest airport is Cagliari-Elmas, about an hour's drive; Alghero and Olbia are further. The handiest railway station is Oristano. The best time is spring to autumn: May for strawberries and birdwatching, summer for the beach, September for warm sea and peace and quiet.

FAQ

Why does Arborea look like a northern Italian town?

Because it was founded in 1928 and settled by farmers from the Veneto and Friuli, who brought their architecture, dialects and traditions.

Is Arborea good for families?

Yes: the pine-backed beach shelves gently, and the flat roads are ideal for cycling with children.

Where can you see flamingos near Arborea?

At the S'Ena Arrubia lagoon and, further south, the Marceddì lagoon, especially in spring and autumn.