Where to visit

The surrounding countryside is at once harsh yet sweet, wild yet serene. A land of silences and colours, of aromas and contrasts. Waterfalls and hilly places; ravines and plateaux; lakes and grottoes; forests and the remains of a millenary culture.

The Nuraghe Arrubiu.
The massively imposing Nuraghe Arrubiu [the Red Nuraghe] is only 4 Km away from the Hotel Castellinaria. This nuraghe – or sighting tower – is considered one of the most important and impressive on the Island. It is stately structured, built with hewn blocks of red trachyte basalt stone, the central tower rising to a height of 15 metres. This archaeological site dominates the Pranemuru Plateau. Its denomination “red” probably derives from the colour of the lichen-moss that coats many of its stones.
The monument is easily reached; and the site is also extremely visitor-friendly: guided tours, a cafe and lavatories. Well worth investigating.
More about Nuraghe Arrubiu in Orroli

The Nuragic Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria at Serri. .
Only 24 km from our Hotel and high above the little village of Serri, this nuragic village-sanctuary is extraordinary on account of both its topographical position and the size of the area it covers. Situated along the north-eastern corner of the basalt Giara of Serri plateau, with breath-taking views to the south and west over the wide corn lands of the Upper Trexenta (one of the Roman Empire’s granaries), the site covers an area of nearly 3 sq. Kms. “The Headman’s Hut”, “The Temple Well”, the pseudo-nuraghe, “the Festival Enclosure”, “the Meeting Hut”, “the Sacred Street” and – centuries later - the little church of “Santa Maria della Vittoria, along with the other structures which compose the sanctuary, are as evocative of lost worlds as they are descriptive of the cultures – Nuragic, Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine – that this site embraces and once experienced.
More about sacred well at Santa Vittoria in Serri

The nuragic complex of Barumini .
Just 34 km from the Hotel Castellinaria, and a sharp, short walk from the village of Barumini, this is probably Sardinia’s most famous nuragic site. It is certainly the Island’s largest - with the remains of a pre-historic village numbering around 200 structures.
This outstanding exemplar of Sardinia’s ancient culture has been nominated a UNESCO Archaeological Monument.
Tourist facilities here also include a bookshop.
Nuraghe Su Nuraxi in Barumini

The Menhirs and the Megalithic Tombs at Pranu Mutteddu.
At a mere thirty-five kms from the hotel, a mile or so south of the village of Goni, one can visit the particularly atmospheric pre-historic burial site of Pranu Mutteddu. Set amongst the trees of an ancient cork-oak wood, one can admire Sardinia’s largest collection of menhirs and Neolithic tombs. An evocative place, alive with the Gods of earlier centuries.
More about Goni’s archaeological area of Pranu Mutteddu

The reservoirs of Mulargia and Flumendosa.
Near to the Hotel as well as to the village of Orroli, the reservoirs of Mulargia and Flumendosa provide more than just the “exquisite scenery of an idyllic landscape”. For these reasons, these are places that are ideal to relax in – go fishing or canoeing! Otherwise, take a trip on one of the most pretty, old-fashioned ferry-boats that chug around these beautiful reservoirs – cum – lakes.
More about Mulargia and Flumendosa
Laghi Sardegna

“Trenino Verde” from Mandas to the red rocks of Arbatax.
The Trenino Verde [the Green Train] is the new eco-name for Sardinia’s narrow-gauge railway network. A modern name for a means of travel that goes back to the 1880s. and for anyone who’s not in a hurry, and who doesn’t say “no” to a not very comfortable journey, take the train from Mandas to Arbatax or vice versa. It’s sheer bliss!
For the railway trundles you go through one magical landscape after another: from narrow wooded valleys to high treeless escarpments. The internal combustion engine might never have been invented!
More about Trenino Verde
Il trenino verde