The area of Gallura

Gallura is a prevalently mountainous region, situated in the north east of Sardinia. The land is rich in granite rock which dates back over 300 million years.

With the passing of time, the wind and sea have smoothed and shaped these rocks into unusual animal forms, which are so striking they seem to have been modelled by artists. The most enchanting of these rock formations is Capo D'Orso at Palau, which resembles a bear.

Granite is, in fact, the most representative element of the Gallura region and constitutes its unmistakable bone structure. It lies below the surface of the mountain ranges, such as the Limbara, and is exposed in the extraordinary cascades of granite boulders which form the impressive cliffs and precipices.


Although Gallura is renowned throughout the world above all for the exclusive resort of Costa Smeralda, with its enchanting rocky headlands and splendid beaches, the whole territory is an oasis of natural beauty. From Costa Paradiso as far as San Teodoro, the coastline is a marvellous series of sandy beaches, bays and rocky headlands, all equipped with first class tourist services and facilities.

Gallura is also remarkable from an archaeological point of view. It is, in fact, the heart of the culture of the Megalithic circles, known as "circoli megalitici" or "circoli di Arzachena". This prehistoric testimony, dating back to the III millennium B.C., presents characteristics which are unique in the various phases of Sardinian prehistory.
The high land of Gallura stands apart from the rest of Sardinia thanks to its natural patrimony of woods, made up of oaks and cork trees, as well as a dense undergrowth of heather, strawberry and juniper bushes.

The region is known for its fine handicraft, above all for the production of cork, weaving and the working of granite, but it also boasts a tradition of fishing, hunting and the production of Vermentino, a local white wine. Visitors to the area will get the chance to sample the delicious types of pork meats (salami, sausages and ham), as well as various local specialities (ziminu, suppa cuata, mazzafrissa, pulilgioni), which have been prepared by the people from Gallura for generations.