The few lines below will tell you the story of a holiday, that of a holiday in Villasimius. The town stands on the south-eastern point of Sardinia, on the western bank of the Foxi River, which dives into the sea at the Gulf of Carbonara.
The town is nestled in an enchanting coastal area that includes the ring of beaches located along the road that goes from Cagliari to Sarrabus, to finally arrive at Costa Rei. Candid beaches, superfine sand and crystal clear seas have in fact made Villasimius a remarkably famous town in Sardinia, also thanks to the marina located up against the promontory of Capo Carbonara.
Everyone knows that Sardinia has beaches, coastline and panoramas that are the envy of seaside destinations around the world. The South of the island especially has that yet unexplored and wild side to offer, making it even more fascinating compared to other more well-known and visited destinations. You can pick whatever you'd like from beach clubs to public beaches. For over 15 years, by virtue of its extremely lucky natural configuration, Villasimius has also been able to boast the Protected Marine Area of Capo Carbonara, an unspoilt and extremely precious marine ecosystem.
You can visit and discover beaches, coves and views at every curve and around every bend. One of the most beautiful is Simius Beach, in Cala Giunco, which has a super fine white sand seabed and isn't far from Notteri Pond. Notteri Timi Ama Beach has crystal clear turquoise coloured water and in the past has been the set for film and commercial shoots. In contrast, Is Traias is a protected bay sheltered from the wind, about 150 m long and 25 m wide with a characteristic semi circle shape enclosed by two gorgeous cliffs that protect the superfine white sand of the beach. The surrounding vegetation is typical of Mediterranean maquis, low and verdant.
At the far south-eastern corner of Villasimius you'll find the protected marine area of Capo Carbonara, an enormous green area that includes Capo Boi and Punta Porceddus. Established in 1998, the protected area is characterised by its granite walls, the endless pine groves and the very dense Mediterranean vegetation. The beaches of Capo Carbonara are characterised by the particular shininess of the sand, due to quartz crystals. Amberjacks, tuna and barracudas live on the seabed. Indeed, this tropical species chose the waters of southern Sardinia as its migration place. Around Serpentarayou can see dolphins, while in the waters of Secca di Santa Caterina, at 10 m in depth, you'll find the statue of Madonna del Naufrago.
Although it has a history purely dedicated to the sea, since it is an old fishing town, Villasimius also boasts many places of artistic and cultural interest. One example is Fortezza Vecchia, today outfitted as an archaeological museum, located on a promontory near Capo Carbonara. The building was constructed around the XIV century, renovated in the 16th century according to the wishes of Philip II within a heavy coast fortification programme that aimed to protect against landings of Turks. The tower in Porto Giunco also dates back to the same period, and, built out of blocks of local granite, it can be reached from the beach following a footpath or on horseback. In this archaeological context, other particularly significant places are: the lighthouse on Cavoli Island, built in the second half of the 19th century, which today houses the offices of Cagliari University's Research Centre, and the tower of San Luigi on the island of Serpentara, both accessible from the marina of Villasimius.
In memory of the stone extraction vocation that has long characterised the world of work in Villasimius, Usai Quarry remains, founded in the second half of the 19th century and active until the early 1950s. Besides the ruins of the closed down establishment, Usai Quarry offers the splendour of a pebble beach lapped by a turquoise sea. The wonders of the south-eastern coast of Sardinia stand side-by-side with tradition rooted deep in the heart of the people. One of the most important events is the Festival of Madonna del Naufrago, together with the Festival of Santa Maria and that of San Raffaele Arcangelo. The first is usually held on the third Sunday of July and include the procession to Cavoli Island, which ends with the placing of a crown of flowers on the underwater statue of the Virgin Mary with child. The Festival of Santa Maria is held during the first week of September, with folk group shows and parades of decorated floats. The Feast of San Raffaele in late autumn features firework displays and traditional song and dance.
A holiday in Villasimius is also a great chance to visit the nearby towns of Costa Rei and Castiadas. Costa Rei stretches for about 10 km from Porto Pirastu to Cala Sinzias and its ideal centre is at the foot of Mount Nai. The nightlife, entertainment, pizzerias and restaurants are concentrated around a few squares in the town, like Piazza Rei Marina, Piazza Italia and Piazza Sardegna. If you are curious travellers that love archaeology outdoors, the territory of Costa Rei is home to the megalithic complex of Piscina Rei, about 200 m from the beach: 22 menhirs arranged in groups and dating back to settlements from the Roman Empire. Castiadas is a one-of-a-kind destination, with a sea just a few kilometres away and a territory just waiting to be explored, where the pace of life is pleasantly slow, off the beaten tourist path and where you can enjoy the wilder and more authentic side of nature. Southern Sardinia awaits you with open arms. Check out our holiday packages to Villasimius and get ready for a brand new, unforgettable adventure!
