Sardinia’s Ogliastra is a region for exploring ghost towns, and discovering art and ancient traditions.
The truest and most unspoiled side of Sardinia
In Ogliastra, the sea is not just a seaside destination, but a profound experience: a continuous dialogue between water and rock, between silence and wind. A place where every swim, every excursion and every glance towards the horizon reveals the truest and most unspoiled side of Sardinia.
Villages that preserve the deepest soul of Sardinia
Far from the most famous beaches, Ogliastra reveals an intimate and surprising soul with villages suspended in time. With stone streets, murals, ancient churches and stories of resilience these villages reveal the most authentic Sardinia. In the heart of Ogliastra, among imposing mountains and silent valleys, there are villages that preserve the deepest soul of Sardinia intact. Here, time seems to slow down, leaving room for ancient stories, centuries-old traditions and a strong sense of belonging that is reflected in the daily gestures and hospitality of the inhabitants.
A ghost village abandoned after floods
Gairo Vecchio is perhaps one of the most evocative places in the area. A ghost village abandoned after the floods of the 1950s, today it is an open-air museum. The stone houses, deserted streets and silent shops tell a story of loss but also of resilience. Walking among its ruins means coming into contact with the collective memory of a community that has been able to rebuild itself elsewhere, without forgetting its roots.
A meaningful culinary legacy
Tortolì, on the other hand, is a harmonious balance between urban life and tradition. A lively Ogliastra town, it retains a deep connection with local culture in its markets, artisan shops and typical cuisine. Here, carasau bread, cheeses and local produce tell the story of a simple but meaningful culinary legacy which is a direct expression of the local area.
Birthplace of Maria Lai
Ulassai is unique in Sardinia: a village that has transformed art into a language of identity. Surrounded by spectacular rock formations that dominate the landscape, the village is known for being the birthplace of Maria Lai. Her most famous work, Legarsi alla montagna (Tying Yourself to the Mountain), marked a fundamental moment in the history of Italian contemporary art, involving the entire community in a symbolic gesture of union and memory. Today, Ulassai is an open-air museum, where artistic installations constantly interact with nature. The village’s Su Marmuri Cave, one of the most impressive in Europe, fascinates with its majestic surroundings and millennial formations, while the Lequarci waterfalls, in the rainiest periods, offer a natural spectacle of rare intensity.
Authentic Sardinia staying at the Arbatax Park Resort & Spa
Baunei, in addition to its famous coastline, retains a strong mountain village identity. Pastoral traditions, popular festivals and a deep connection with the land tell the story of an authentic Sardinia, made up of handed-down customs and an unbreakable bond with nature. Strategically located in relation to these towns the Arbatax Park Resort & Spa allows visitors to explore the villages of Ogliastra with ease, a starting point to discover the villages of Ogliastra, on an intimate journey, made up of encounters, silence and shared stories.
