Sardinia's Hinterland

Away from the coasts lies a Sardinia that hardly any tourist ever gets to see: the Gennargentu Mountains (Punta La Marmora, 1,834 m), the Barbagia (shepherd culture that even resisted the Romans) and the Ogliastra (spectacular gorges and karst landscapes).

Orgosolo ★★

The famous "bandit village" in the Barbagia is now known for its murals: over 150 political wall paintings on the house walls, addressing Sardinian history, social injustice, and international protest. An open-air museum of counterculture.

Gola Su Gorropu ★★

Europe's deepest canyon: rock walls up to 500 m high, only a few meters wide at the bottom. The hike to the entrance (2h from Ponte Sa Barva) is already spectacular. In the canyon itself (entry €5, guide recommended) you climb over boulders in a surreal landscape.

Blue Zone: The Secret of Longevity

The Barbagia is one of five "Blue Zones" worldwide — regions where people live exceptionally long lives. The recipe: Sardinian diet (Pecorino, legumes, red wine from the Cannonau grape), physical work, strong community, and a stress-free life. In villages like Villagrande Strisaili, there is a disproportionately high number of centenarians.