Oristano and Sinis · Provincia di Oristano

Things to do in Riola Sardo

Things to do in Riola Sardo, Sardinia: San Martino church, Templar ruins, Parco dei Suoni, Vernaccia wine and Sinis beaches nearby.

Riola Sardo, Sardegna — © Air fans · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

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Riola Sardo, Arriòra in Sardinian, is a village of around two thousand people in the Campidano di Oristano plain, set on a gentle rise along the rio Mare Foghe stream, which flows into the Cabras lagoon. It makes a quiet, convenient base for exploring the Sinis peninsula: quartz-sand beaches, ancient Tharros and flamingo-filled lagoons are all close by. Ideal if you love the sea, wine and cycling away from the crowds.

What to see in Riola Sardo

The church of San Martino

The parish church, dedicated to the patron saint, was rebuilt in the 16th century over a Romanesque building. You'll spot it from afar thanks to its octagonal bell tower and dome covered in colourful tiles; inside are a large wooden crucifix, old stone holy-water fonts and a carved wooden choir.

The ruins of Santa Corona

On the eastern edge of the village stand parts of the nave and apse wall of a medieval church, already standing in the 12th century and traditionally linked to the Knights Templar. Abandoned in the 1930s, it is being restored. As you stroll, look at the house fronts: some reuse carved pieces taken from this church.

Parco dei Suoni

The old sandstone quarries of su Cuccuru Mannu have become an open-air "park of sounds" with sound trails and a natural amphitheatre that hosts jazz, pop and rock concerts in summer.

Things to do in Riola Sardo

The land is flat and perfect for cycling among vineyards and melon fields down to the lagoons. The Cabras lagoon and nearby wetlands such as Sale Porcus are great for birdwatching, with pink flamingos and plenty of waterbirds. Local wineries pour Vernaccia di Oristano, the signature wine of this corner of Sardinia. In summer the Sinis coast calls for swimming, snorkelling and surfing near Capo Mannu. Just below you'll find the experiences offered by local operators: pick one and book it.

History

People lived here long before the Nuragic age: tombs and about ten nuraghi survive, some also used in Punic times. In the Middle Ages Riola belonged to the Giudicato of Arborea, and the now-vanished village of Villamaiore stood on its land. After Arborea fell in 1420 it joined the Marquisate of Oristano, then came under Aragonese rule in 1478. In the 18th century it became part of the Flores Nurra family's marquisate of Arcais and was bought back in 1839, when feudalism ended.

What to eat and buy

Food here blends farm and lagoon: home-style durum wheat bread baked in wood ovens, vegetables, Sinis watermelons and melons, olive oil from the local semidana variety and lagoon fish, especially grey mullet. Take home a bottle of Vernaccia, along with local wines such as Nieddera, Cannonau and Vermentino.

Festivals and traditions

Sant'Anna and San Gioacchino (late July): procession in traditional dress with launeddas pipes, and the famous Arroda 'e Sant'Anna fireworks wheel.
International Vernaccia motorbike rally (mid-September): bikers from all over Europe and wine tastings.
San Martino (11 November): the patron's feast, with roast chestnuts in the square and new wine in the cellars.

Nearby

Is Arenas beach (Narbolia): a long beach with dunes and pine forest, a few kilometres away.
Putzu Idu and Capo Mannu (San Vero Milis): shallow water, an Aragonese tower and waves for surfers.
Cabras: the lagoon and the Giovanni Marongiu Archaeological Museum with the Giants of Mont'e Prama.
Tharros: the Phoenician-Punic and Roman city by the sea, about half an hour's drive.

Getting there and when to go

Riola Sardo is about 15 km north of Oristano, which has the nearest train station. The handiest airport is Cagliari-Elmas, about an hour and a quarter by car along the SS131; Alghero is about an hour and a half away. The closest passenger ports are Cagliari and Porto Torres. May to October is best for the beach; spring and autumn are perfect for cycling and birdwatching, and November for the wine festivities.