Free walking tours in Sant'Antioco and what to see

Must-sees

Sant'Antioco is the main town of the island of the same name, in south-western Sardinia, joined to land by an isthmus of ancient origin. It was Phoenician Sulky, founded around the 8th century BC, and later a prosperous Roman municipality. At the top of the old town is the basilica of the patron saint, of Byzantine origin, with catacombs beneath it. Nearby you can visit the Punic tophet, the necropolis and the Ferruccio Barreca archaeological museum.

The town also keeps alive the tradition of byssus, a very fine fibre taken from a sea mollusc, to which it devotes a museum, as well as maritime and ethnographic museums. The south coast is high and rocky, good for diving, while beaches dominate to the north and east, such as Maladroxia, Coaquaddus and Cala Lunga. Flamingos nest in the Santa Caterina lagoon. Calasetta, in the north of the island, is a village of Tabarkan origin with a tower and a ferry port for San Pietro.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free tours in Sant'Antioco. The Civitatis offer combines land and sea: a guided tour of Sant'Antioco and Calasetta, a kayak outing along the coast and boat trips around the island or towards the island of San Pietro and Masua. The catacombs beneath the basilica are visited with a guide.

How long to spend

Allow a day for the old town, the basilica, the catacombs and the archaeological area. Add another for the beaches and the south coast, and a third if you want to go out by boat or kayak. With four or five days you can take the ferry from Calasetta to Carloforte, on San Pietro, and visit the Sulcis, with Porto Pino or Tratalias.

Where to stay

The most convenient choice is to stay in the town, between the old centre and the harbour promenade, where there are B&Bs, apartments and small hotels with restaurants within walking distance. If you prefer the beach, Maladroxia and the south-east coast have holiday homes and the odd hotel. Calasetta is a quieter alternative and practical for the ferry to San Pietro. In summer it is worth booking ahead.