There are at least five good reasons to choose a holiday in Villasimius, Sardinia. The first, obviously, is for the beauty of the beaches, the sea, and its rich aquatic fauna, preserved thanks to the Marine Protected Area. The second reason is for the beauty of its two islands.
The third is that it has the Mounts of the Seven Brothers right behind it, so it is also suitable for those who love walks in nature or mountain bike excursions. The fourth is that Villasimius preserves some places of historical interest, so it will not disappoint the expectations of those who do not give up a bit of culture even during a fully relaxing stay. And finally, the fifth: Villasimius is not a tourist resort but a real town, active all year round, with all services, with a lively community, festivals, and traditions.
In short, Villasimius is an ideal place for a holiday, whether you want to fill your days with sports, nature, and cultural activities, or if you want to disconnect and enjoy the utmost relaxation. And, precisely because of the wide possibilities it offers, it is fully enjoyable not only in summer but also in spring and autumn.
1 The beaches
The main reason why Villasimius is famous is its postcard-perfect beaches, with crystal clear sea. Not only are the beaches beautiful, but the fish fauna is also very rich thanks to the Marine Protected Area, established in 1999, which has favored the repopulation of sea inhabitants. Therefore, while it is true that fishing is not allowed, it is equally true that anyone, with a mask and snorkel and without having to go far from the shore, can enjoy a wonderful natural spectacle.
Arriving from Cagliari, the first bathing stop is Porto Sa Ruxi, a group of three tiny beaches with very white sand sloping steeply towards the sea, separated by small rocky headlands. The air is pleasantly scented thanks to the thick Mediterranean scrub with junipers immediately behind the shore.
The next location is Campus, with a long and wide golden sandy beach, very accessible and suitable for families.
Arriving in the town, you can follow the Via del Mare and reach the beach of Simius. Here, about seventy meters from the shore, there is a small shoal of submerged rocks, densely populated by fish. They know they are safe in the Marine Protected Area, and will gladly accept your shrimp offerings, taking them directly from your hands.
Right after the town, there is another unmissable place: it is Cala Giunco, with in the center the Beach of the Two Seas. The second sea is actually the Notteri pond, behind the beach, often populated by pink flamingos. The sea water slopes very gently, making it an ideal place also for those who enjoy morning walks with water at ankle height.
Leaving the town and following the road to Costa Rey, at a certain point you will find a sign indicating the restaurant “L’Oleandro”: follow it along the dirt road and you will reach Punta Molentis, perhaps the most surprising bathing spot of Villasimius. Here a small promontory creates on one side a sheltered beach of very fine sand that gives the sea a turquoise color impossible to describe in words. On the other side of the promontory is the opposite situation: a cove of large granite boulders facing the open sea. This promontory was previously involved in quarry activities. Due to the difficulty of access, granite boulders were transported towards the main road by donkeys, “molentis” in Sardinian, from which the name of the place derives.
2 The Islands: the Isola dei Cavoli and Serpentara
Villasimius is located on a peninsula, the Carbonara peninsula, which extends towards the sea and faces two small islands: the Isola dei Cavoli and Serpentara.
Since the time of Spanish rule over Sardinia, these two islands were considered outposts for the defense of the territory against Saracen pirates and therefore were armed with watchtowers. Both, due to their strategic importance, were classified as “strong towers” and thus equipped with large-caliber cannons.
The name of the Isola dei Cavoli probably comes from a distortion of the word “Cavuru” (crab) into “Cavolo” by the Piedmontese geographers of the nineteenth century, as happened with the Island of Mal Di Ventre in the Oristano area, originally named “Malu Entu” (bad wind). The Spanish tower was later used as a base for a lighthouse. It currently hosts a university center for biology and geology research. Its coastline is jagged, with granite rocks and very small beaches.
The Isola di Serpentara is completely covered with Mediterranean scrub and has no human settlement. Its coastline is particularly rugged, especially on the side facing the open sea. The western coast is part of the most protected area of the Marine Protected Area, where navigation is completely prohibited.
At Villasimius there is a very well-equipped marina, an ideal starting point for visiting the islands and the coast. There you will find both operators organizing excursions and the possibility to rent boats and inflatables or dock if you have your own boat. If you travel independently, it is advisable to inform yourself about the navigation restrictions related to the Marine Protected Area. Also remember that in the most protected zones even scuba diving must be authorized.
3 The Hinterland
Immediately behind the Carbonara peninsula the terrain becomes immediately rugged, reaching up to about 1000 meters in elevation: we are in the Seven Brothers Mountains, whose area is part of the regional park of the Seven Brothers – Monte Genis. The vegetation changes from Mediterranean scrub to dense woods with carob trees, junipers, and ancient wild olive trees. Walking through the woods, with a bit of luck, you might encounter the Sardinian deer or see the golden eagle in flight. On the mountain side facing Costa Rey, you can explore the Minni Minni forest, rich in springs and streams.
4 Historical Places of Interest
The territory of Villasimius has experienced all the historical phases of Sardinia. It is therefore not surprising that some sites of historical and archaeological interest can also be visited. Just before reaching Campus beach, along the provincial road, there is the country church of Santa Maria. Next to it, you can see the remains of a thermal building from the Roman era.
During the period of Spanish domination, Sardinia was often targeted by pirates coming from North Africa. For this reason, from the 16th century onwards, the Spanish dotted the entire southern coast with watchtowers, placed at the extreme points of the territory so that they could overlook the coast and, at the same time, be close enough to communicate with each other through light signals. In the territory of Villasimius, starting from Cagliari, there are the Torre di Capo Boi, the Torre dell’Isola dei Cavoli, the one at Cala Giunco and that of the Isola di Serpentara. They are not accessible inside, but it is worth reaching those on the mainland by foot or by car to enjoy the panorama.
The Old Fortress was also part of the defensive system, located on a promontory just after the current tourist port. The original core is a triangular construction built by the Aragonese in the 14th century. Two centuries later, the Spanish added four towers, three of which overlook the sea and one, which guards the only access to the fortification, faces the inner courtyard. The fortress is visitable and houses the permanent exhibition “Enemigos de la Fè,” about its history as a defensive bulwark.
Finally, in the center of the village, there is a small but very interesting Archaeological Museum. It houses artifacts from the Phoenician-Punic and later Roman sanctuary of Cuccureddus (site not open to the public); a Roman-era female statue coming from the baths near the church of Santa Maria, and for this reason venerated for centuries as a statue of the Madonna; finally, the Wreck Room is dedicated to the Aragonese shipwrecked in the 14th century near the Isola dei Cavoli and displays its cargo: cannons and majolica tiles (azulejos).
5 Festivals and Traditions
In summer, two festivals are celebrated in Villasimius. As tradition dictates, the religious aspect is accompanied by the folkloric one, with dances and songs in traditional Sardinian costumes and delicious tastings of typical local products.
On the third weekend of July, the Madonna del Naufrago is celebrated, with a procession of boats heading towards the Isola dei Cavoli, where, at a depth of ten meters, the statue of the Madonna del Naufrago was placed in 1979, a work by the great Sardinian sculptor Pinuccio Sciola. The climax of the festival is the Mass held in front of this statue, and thanks to an underwater microphone and a speaker system, it is also followed by those surrounding on boats. The Sagra di Santa Maria, on the other hand, has a rustic flavor, during which a statue of the Madonna is carried in procession from the parish to the country chapel. It is celebrated every year around September 7th and 8th. These events underline the identity and foundational elements of the local community: the sea and agriculture.
