Villasimius Travel Guide

Capo Carbonara is on the south-eastern point of the Island of Sardinia where the coastline is characterised by white beaches, granite rock coves and a clear blue sea. Mediterranean smells of juniper, wild herbs, corbezzoli and myrtle berries fill the air. Originally a small fishing and mining village, Villasimius now attracts many visitors who come to enjoy a relaxing holiday and admire the stunning views.

At the end of the rocky point stands a lighthouse that for decades has guided sailors safely through the waters. Part of this area, near to Cavoli Island, enjoys protected status as it is home to Moray eels, marine turtles and Uglyfish.

Drive along the panoramic roads, past Capo Carbonara, to catch a glimpse of the distinctively elongated and uninhabited Serpentara, the second of Villasimius's two islands. Here you can find small beaches that are reachable only on foot, surrounded by weather-beaten rocks, distorted by the strong winds that often blow around this Sardinian point.

10 Things to See & do
A boat trip to 'Isola dei Cavoli' and its protected marine area
The panoramic streets of Cagliari
The little promontory of Punta Is Molentis
Giunco Cove and Notteri pond
The famous round rocks at Riso and Proceddus beaches
Campu Longu, Simius and Capo Boi beaches
The Phoenician and Roman Necropolis, Cuccureddus
The Old Fort (XVI- XVII century) near to Capo Carbonara
The Roman Necropolis at Accu Is Trajas
The Archeological Museum

Events in Villasimius

July
In mid July a small procession of boats pay homage to the 'Madonna del Naufrago', a statue of the Virgin Mary which was created by the Sardinian sculptor Pinuccio Sciola. The statue is dedicated to Madonna of Bonaria, protector of sailors, and was consecrated at the important Basilica of Cagliari before being placed on the sea bed just off Cavoli. Street parties complete with local 'dolce', are also held to celebrate the annual event.

September
The Festival of Santa Maria is an important religious event for the small community of Villasimius. Taking place over a few days, the highlight is a statue of the saint which is carried through the streets to the small church bearing her name. The procession of decorated carts pulled by oxen and local people dressed in costume is accompanied by the sounds of 'launeddas' (an antique reed instrument). In the piazza there are poetry readings and traditional music concerts to ensure that the festivities continue into the evenings.

Local Food and Drink in Villasimius

Cooking in southern Sardinia typically uses very simple ingredients such as:

Fregula
A type of pasta reminiscent of cous cous which comes from North Africa. Made from small handmade balls of semolina mixed with a little bit of water and toasted in the oven. Fregula with clams, a traditional recipe, is made by cooking the fregula in broth and serving with a little white wine and a few fresh tomatoes.

Spotlight on Giunco Cove and Notteri Pond
Next to the beach at Cala Giunco there is an area of great natural interest called Notteri Pond. It is a pool of water which is a breeding place for a protected species of pink flamingos. This salt marsh area is also a stopping point for tropical birds in transit.
Those that visit the salt marshes at Molentargius near Cagliari in the less crowded months can also watch Black Winged Stilts, a wading bird known as the Italian Cavalier. These areas are part of a delicate ecosystem that could feel the effect of the ongoing building development and the area's increasing number of visitors unless closely protected.

How to get there

Villasimius is in the south of Sardegna, at the furthest point east of Capo Carbonara. The capital of the Island, Cagliari, is 50 kms away.
By air: The International Airport of Elmas is the closest to Villasimius with daily flights from Rome and Milan, and also regular flights to Venice, Bologna, Florence and Naples. International flights come from London, Barcelona, Monaco, and Paris with low cost airlines including Ryanair, Easyjet, Windjet, Meridiana and TUI Fly also offering a summer service. It is about a 50 minute journey by hire car to Villasimius from the airport along the SP17. There is a bus service available but unfortunately it is not very frequent.
By Boat: The Port of Cagliari is well-connected with daily crossings from Civitavecchia and weekly crossings from Naples and Sicily (Palermo and Trapani). You can also cross to Arbatax, a city on the east coast and then continue to Villasimius on the SS125.
By car: From Olba take the SS125. A difficult road until Arbatax, which fortunately gets easier for the second part of the journey due to numerous improvement works to the road. From Sassari to Alghero take the SS131 to Cagliari and from there the SP17.
Other: Villasimius has a small tourist port with around 750 small berths complete with power and water points. The port is around 3km from the town.