Full Guide to Sinis Peninsula on Sardinia’s Western Coast

Angela Corrias in Tharros Sardinia

Angela Corrias

If you are looking for a place in Sardinia where you can immerse in history, tradition, great food and wine, and wonderful beaches, then the Sinis Peninsula might just be your best bet.

This fantastic corner of Sardinia’s western coast guarantees a complete experience inclusive of archaeological sites, lovely towns to visit such as Cabras and Oristano, and a stunning coastline to explore on beaches like Is Arutas, Mari Ermi, and San Giovanni.

By staying in Cabras and around the Sinis Peninsula, your vacation will be diverse and multifaceted, a perfect blend of relaxation, culture, and tradition. Cabras is the main town of the area and all the sights of the Sinis Peninsula are managed by Cabras municipality.

Image: The Sinis Peninsula in Sardinia.

What to do in the Sinis Peninsula in Sardinia

When planning your trip to Sardinia and deciding where to go, the Sinis Peninsula should be on your list. Offering a diverse array of things to see and do, here you can have a true complete Sardinian experience.

Visit Tharros archaeological site

The ruins of an ancient Phoenician city, Tharros is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Sardinia. It’s located in the Sinis Peninsula right on the coast, which makes it a breathtaking site against a turquoise Mediterranean backdrop.

  • Where: Area Archeologica di Tharros – Link to Google Maps
  • When: Every day 9 am-7 pm, in August until 8 pm, in spring until 6 pm, in winter until 5 pm.
  • How much: 9€ for Tharros only, 11€ Tharros site + San Giovanni Tower, 13€ Tharros + Cabras archaeological museum, 15€ Museum + Tharros + Tower.
  • Website.
Image: Tharros archaeological site in the Sinis Peninsula in Sardinia.

Stroll around San Salvatore ghost town

When you enter San Salvatore town you will almost hear Ennio Morricone’s “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. And you won’t be too far from the truth. San Salvatore, in fact, has often been used as the set for many Western movies.

This is actually a temporary religious center typical of Sardinia made of many small towns mainly laid out all around the local church. Empty all year round, it’s inhabited during the celebrations in honor of San Salvatore on the first Sunday of September.

Apart from strolling the streets of the ghost town, you can visit the little church of San Salvatore built in the 17th century under Spanish rule and its fantastic ancient undergrounds (“ipogeo”) dating back to the 4th century.

  • Where: Link to Google Maps
  • When: Every day 10 am-1 pm and 2-30-7 pm.
  • How much: 10€ for the church of San Salvatore and its undergrounds.
Image: San Salvatore village in the Sinis Peninsula in Sardinia.

Duck into the church of San Giovanni

This small church is located near the village of the same name and stands on a former pagan cemetery that was later converted to a Christian site.

Overall, the church is very modest. Built in sandstone blocks, it is rectangular in shape and divided into three naves covered by barrel vaults. On top of the central nave stands a small dome supported by large pillars.

The sober façade features an oculus located above the entrance door.

  • Where: SP6, 09072 San Giovanni di Sinis
  • When: Every day 9 am-8 pm.
Image: San Giovanni church in the Sinis Peninsula in Sardinia.

See the Giants of Mont’e Prama in Cabras’ Archaeological Museum

The Museo Civico Giovanni Marongiu of Cabras is a rich and interesting archaeological museum where many surrounding areas’ findings were collected and displayed with related explanations.

You will find remains from excavations in sites such as Cuccuru is Arrius, Sa Osa, Tharros and Mont’s Prama. Particularly from the latter one are the fascinating remains of the so-called Giganti (Giants), large sculptures portraying different moments of prehistoric life in Sardinia.

The last section shows the findings discovered in an ancient Roman ship found near the small Mal di Ventre island off Sardinia’s western coast.

  • Where: Via Tharros
  • When: Every day 10 am-7 pm. From November to March closed on Monday.
  • How much: 9€ for the museum only, 13€ Museum + Tharros, 15€ Museum + Tharros + Tower of Saint John.
  • Website.
Image: The giants of Mont'e Prama in the archaeological museum in Cabras.

Visit the Contini wine cave

One of the oldest wine cellars in Sardinia, visiting the Contini wine cave in Cabras will be very inspiring. You will learn several aspects of the local life, from the wine-making history and tradition to the local gastronomy.

The owner will show you around the wine cellar and you can even book a tasting. I have been many times with my family, I know all their wines and we have seen how they make them.

  • Where: Via Genova 48-50, Cabras
  • Contacts: info@vinicontini.com phone: 0039 0783 290806
  • Website.
Image: Contini wine cave in Cabras, Sardinia.

Try the local food

The delicacy Cabras is most famous for is “bottarga”, dehydrated mullet roe served in an infinite number of ways. You can find it grated and sprinkled on top of pasta and other types of dishes, finely sliced and served with oil or butter on top of a bruschetta or the typical Sardinian carasau bread, or even with artichokes in a salad.

Its proximity to a large pond connected to the nearby sea allows Cabras to always have fresh fish and seafood so if you are into these types of recipes, here you will find plenty of dishes of the tradition as well as original takes.

Image: Seafood in Cabras, Sardinia.

Relax on the beach

Thanks to its very nature, the Sinis Peninsula definitely doesn’t lack beaches. The most famous ones are Is Arutas, known for its quartz sand that looks like rice grains, Mari Ermi and Maimoni, stretches of coastline with similar features.

These are not the only beaches in the area. There is in fact the beautiful beach of San Giovanni di Sinis very close to Tharros and the village of San Salvatore. On this beach, you will probably see the most turquoise waters you have ever seen, something Sardinia is famous for!

Image: San Giovanni beach in the Sinis Peninsula in Sardinia.

Where to stay in the Sinis Peninsula

The best towns to stay in to easily reach the Sinis Peninsula are Cabras and in summer also San Giovanni sea resort. However, these are not the only places you can pick. For example, not far is the provincial capital Oristano and smaller towns like Riola Sardo, both of them about 30 minutes by car.

Here are some of the best hotels for every budget.

Check out our guide to the best areas to stay in Sardinia

Where to eat in the Sinis Peninsula

In summer, I live nearby so I often go to the Cabras area to eat with my family especially because I find it one of the best places in Sardinia to eat fish and seafood delicacies. Here are some of our favorite restaurants.

  • Sa Pischera ‘e Mar’e Pontis (Provinciale 6, km 1,200, Càbras). Famous restaurant serving elaborate dishes of fresh seafood locally caught.
  • Ittiturismo Laguna Acqua Urchi (SP 6 Km 2.500 09072 Càbras). Popular seafood restaurant.
  • Agriturismo Da Pinuccia (Via Diaz 42-55, Cabras – OR). Local trattoria serving seafood and meat dishes made with their farm products or the fish caught in the Cabras lagoon. Here they also have rooms for the night.

How to reach the Sinis Peninsula

If you are coming from Cagliari, follow the signs for SS 131 towards SASSARI. Take the exit of ORISTANO SUD/SANTA GIUSTA and go through Oristano to take the SP 56 and follow the signs for CABRAS. When you arrive in Cabras, you can follow the signs for the Museo Civico Giovanni Marongiu. If you are heading to Tharros and the beach first, take the road that goes towards San Giovanni di Sinis.

If you are coming from Olbia, on the other hand, you will need to follow the signs for SS 131 towards CAGLIARI and take the exit of ORISTANO NORD. From here, you can follow the signs to Cabras.

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Image: Taking the ferry to Sardinia from Civitavecchia Rome

About The Author: Angela Corrias

Hi, my name is Angela Corrias. I am an Italian journalist and travel writer born and bred in Sardinia, an island off the coast of Italy. After having traveled around the world and having lived overseas for more than a decade, I decided it was time to go back home to Italy and show the beauty of my country to the world. Follow me as I show you the best of Sardinia - from its crystal clear waters and pristine beaches to its delicious food and wine, to its fascinating history and culture.

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