Nuoro (province)

Province of Nuoro (Italian: Provincia di Nuoro; Sardinian: Provìntzia de Nùgoro) is the eastern province of Sardinia.

Cities

• 1 Nuoro — provincial capital, at the heart of central Sardinia
• 2 Cala Gonone — and the beaches that can be reached from there only by boat
• 3 Macomer — a town known for its bronze age towers

Other destinations

• 1 Ogliastra — known and admired for its magnificent coastal area, surrounded by mountains and cliffs, and for some of the most untouched coast of Italy
• 2 National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu — the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu covers almost 74 km² between the Gulf of Orosei and the Gennargentu massif
• 3 Barbagia — Barbagia (Sardinian: Barbàgia or Barbàza) is a mountainous district is one of the least populated areas of Europe, and possibly the only place you can hear the Sardinian language spoken in everyday life

• 4 Fonni — the highest town in Sardinia at more than 1,000 metres above sea level and the gateway to the Gennargentu mountain system
• 5 Gavoi — a village known for its poetry and ballu tundu dancing
• 6 Orgosolo — was famous for its bandits and kidnappers and typical murals
• 7 Oliena — is well known for its wines (especially the Nepente, a wine made with Cannonau grapes)
• 8 Tonara — a village known for torrone, Sardinian nougat

• 9 Lei — a village of 450 people (2024) on a series of hills about 500 m above sea level

Understand

Tourism in the province is predominantly a summer activity. Along the coast there are many tourist resorts, including La Caletta di Siniscola, the marina of Orosei, Cala Gonone, Santa Maria Navarrese, Arbatax, the lido of Orrì, the marina of Cea in Tortolì, and Capo Comino. The gulf of Orosei in general offers wonderful beaches that alternate with rocky cliffs. The coastal areas also offer the possibility of visiting the numerous ponds such as that of Orosei,  where fishing is possible. 

In the inland areas of Barbagia and of the Mandrolisai, there are forests and woods. A favourite destination for tourists are the Gennargentu mountains and Monte Spada in Fonni, which has an equipped ski facility. In Lollove you can admire the centuries-old village immersed in silence, and in Olzai and Tiana, the mills that once used the force of the water to move the millstones. Tiana has the only example of fulling mill still existing in Europe. It was used for the processing of orbace, the fabric with which typical costumes and uniforms were produced. Canoeing can be practised at Lake Gusana.

In the Marghine mountain range, in the Bolotana area, the forest of Badde Salighes is an important natural place. The marvellous Villa Piercy is visited by tourists. Near Badde Salighes there is also the site of Santa Maria de Sauccu, and the ruins of the village of Padru Mannu and its restored Anglican-style church dedicated to the Sacred Heart.

On the coast, especially in Cala Gonone and Baunei, there are many caves that you can visit, such as the famous Bue Marino cave. The town of Ulassai has become a very important tourist village. In addition to various accommodation facilities, there are the Su Marmuri cave, the art station, the Maria Lai open-air museum, and the largest number of sport climbing bolts in Sardinia. There are hotels in all the tourist locations and in the inland villages it is possible to stay in bed and breakfasts or small hotels.

Get in

By car

The province is crossed by the SSV Nuoro-Lanusei state road 389, which connects Nuoro to Lanusei, and partly crossed by the state road 131 dcn which connects central Sardinia with Olbia passing through Nuoro and Siniscola. Other important road sections are the Central Sardinian state road 128 (SS 128), the fastest and oldest road connecting the heart of Sardinia, which starts from Monastir and ends in Oniferi, and the state road 125 which starts from Cagliari, crossing the east coast of Sardinia, in the direction of Palau. Other important state roads are in Suni with the SS129 bis which leads to Bosa, and the SS388 which connects Oristano with Sorgono. 

By plane

It can be reached from the north from the Olbia-Costa Smeralda and Alghero-Fertilia airports and from the south from the Cagliari-Elmas airport.

By ship

It can be reached from the north-east from the ports of Olbia-Isola Bianca and Golfo Aranci, from the south from the ports of Tortolì-Arbatax and Cagliari and from the north-west from the port of Porto Torres.

By train

The Dorsale Sarda of the Italian State Railways crosses the province in its western part, connecting the municipalities served with Cagliari, Sassari, Olbia and other centres of the island.

Get around

By ship

From Olbia or from Golfo Aranci, Tortolì, Cagliari or Porto Torres.

By train

The railway network is represented by the railway, managed by the ARST, which connects Nuoro with Macomer. Another narrow-gauge railway is open to tourist traffic only, and is occasionally travelled by the Trenino Verde, which connects Macomer with Bosa Marina.

The final stretch of the Mandas-Arbatax winds its way through Ogliastra. It is used for the tourist services of the Green Train.

In Ogliastra through the Mandas-Arbatax railway line. Here it is also possible to go on sightseeing tours with the Trenino Verde. It offers 5 itineraries, of which 4 are 40 minutes each (€8 in 2023), and one is a 2 hr 45 min excursion (€12 in 2023).

By bus

Through the ATP (Public Transport Company) in Nuoro, or through the ARST (Sardinian Regional Transport Company).

See

The ancient village of Tiscali in Ogliastra was built probably during the Roman invasion. It is very well preserved and shows how people used to live 2000 years ago, without any later intervention.

Archaeological sites and ancient monuments

The province of Nuoro is very rich in ancient monuments. From nuraghes, to menhirs, to domus de Janas (literally fairy houses), giants' tombs, to real Nuragic villages. We find ancient testimonies in the so-called "valley of the nuraghi" (ancient megalithic edifices), an area between the municipalities of the Nuoro area and Marghine.  

In the capital there are numerous nuragic buildings and also real and proper villages annexed to them (Nurdole, Ugolio, Tanca Manna etc.), in the countryside between Nuoro and Mamoiada there is the nuraghe su Saiu, the nuraghe sa Tanca e s'Ena and the Nuraghe Gabutele. In Oranithere is the nuragic complex of Nurdole, while in Orune we find the sacred spring Su Tempiesu, in the countryside of Bitti there is the nuragic complex of Su Romanzesu, in Dorgali we have the complex of Serra Orrios and in the territory of Oliena Tiscali, Carros and the village of Sovana. In Orgosolo there is the Nuraghe Mereu, while in the Marghine we find the nuraghe Santa Sarbana, Orolio in the road between Bortigali and Silanus; Santa Barbara, Succuronis and Tamuli in Macomer and the Nuraghe Orolo (one of the few conical in the province) in Bortigali. Interesting traces of Roman camps are present in the capital and in the surrounding area. Furthermore, in Desulo we find the highest nuraghe in Sardinia in the locality of "Ura 'e Sole" (1300 m).

Do

Some important cultural events that take place in the towns of the province are linked to the religious life of the communities. In January, during the feast of Sant'Antonio Abate fires are lit in the towns of the province. During the Carnival period, events are held with typical masks of the inland areas and with the preparation of the typical carnival sweets (cattas, zeppole, fatti fritti, orillette). At Easter the rites of Holy Week are renewed in the villages with various events.

In July in Ortueri and in other towns of the province the rite of threshing is held, which has been handed down for many generations. In Tortolì the Stella Maris festival and in August the Sagra del Redentore in Nuoro. It sees the participation of folk groups from the entire island. The celebrations last two weeks and are divided into civil and religious. 

In autumn, numerous food and wine and cultural events take place in the inland towns, such as Cortes Apertas in the inland towns. The festivities in honour of Sant'Andrea in Tortolì (November 30) and San Nicola in Baunei on December 6 are recommended. 

Drink

Cannonau is the best Italian expression of this red wine variety (aka Grenache in France and Garnacha in Spain). It grows in Ogliastra.

Stay safe

The problems of petty crime, especially in central Sardinia and in Ogliastra, are widespread. 

In you need help, call 112 (Carabinieri), 113 (State Police), 118 (Emergency Room), 115 (Fire Brigade).