Free walking tours in Iglesias and what to see

Must-sees

Iglesias is the historic capital of the Iglesiente, the mining area of south-western Sardinia. It was founded by the Pisans in the 13th century as Villa di Chiesa and later passed to the Crown of Aragon, which gave it its name. Its old town, with narrow cobbled streets, keeps stretches of wall, the ruins of Salvaterra castle on a hilltop and several churches, such as the 13th-century cathedral of Santa Chiara and the Catalan Gothic church of San Francesco.

Mining shaped the town for more than a century, and its heritage is now part of the Geomining Park of Sardinia. In the centre is the Museum of Mining Art, with machinery and reconstructed galleries, and on the outskirts the Monteponi mine. On the coast, a few kilometres away, are the mining villages of Nebida and Masua, the Pan di Zucchero sea stack and Porto Flavia, a loading port carved into the rock above the sea.

Free tours and guided visits

There is no regular free tour in Iglesias. On Civitatis you will find a guided walk of the town covering the old centre and its history. For the mining heritage, the usual approach is the guided visits at the sites themselves, such as Porto Flavia or the Monteponi mines, which are toured with a guide. The coast at Masua and Nebida can be seen on your own by car or from the sea.

How long to spend

The town can be seen in a day: the old town, the cathedral and the castle in the morning, and the mining museum or Monteponi in the afternoon. For the coast allow another day, with Nebida, Masua, Porto Flavia and the Pan di Zucchero. If you come at Easter, processions with a Spanish tradition fill the centre. With three days you can add Sant'Antioco or Carbonia.

Where to stay

The most convenient choice is to stay in or on the edge of the old town, where there are B&Bs and small hotels, with everything within walking distance and life in the evenings. If you prefer the sea, Nebida and Masua have places to stay with views of the coast and the Pan di Zucchero, although a car is needed. Around Gonnesa and Fontanamare there are holiday homes near the beach. Cagliari is an hour away for those who prefer a larger base.