Orosei holidays

Holidays to Orosei are all about Sardinia’s rustic charm, from pine-backed beaches to a trattoria-packed old town.

A Sardinian secret

Tucked in a pocket of quiet farmland on Sardinia’s east side, Orosei could be the island’s best kept secret. Around three kilometres from the coast, this town doesn’t rely on sandy beaches to attract visitors – although several strips of sand are just a short distance away. Instead, it charms those who choose to stay off the coast with its cobbled old town, which is crammed with more churches and trattorias than you can shake a breadstick at.

Medieval magic

Without a doubt, Orosei’s headline act is its stone-walled old town, where a jumble of tiny streets are hardly wide enough to squeeze a Vespa through. You can spend your days getting lost in this Medieval maze, stopping by hole-in-the-wall boutiques to shop for freshly baked bread or artisanal wood carvings. Or, see how time’s stood still in this little pocket of the world with a visit to one of 17 Romanesque churches. They’re sprinkled through the town like parmesan shaved on seafood pasta.

Close-by beaches

Spotless Sardinian waters are never far away whenever you have the urge to dip your toes. Spiaggia Marina di Orosei is the closest – just five minutes away by car – where a swathe of sunny yellow sand unravels along the rugged green coast. You can also drive 15 minutes north, to Cala Liberotto, a cotton-soft cove your camera will love. If you fancy a day trip, Cala Brandinchi Beach is known locally as ‘Tahiti’ thanks to its glowing white sand and snorkel-ready water. It’s just over an hour’s drive from Orosei.