Sardinia is Italy's second-largest island, famed for its pristine turquoise waters, rugged interior mountains, and ancient Nuragic civilizations. The island offers an extraordinary blend of dramatic coastlines, traditional villages, and vibrant cities that remain authentically Italian.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Alghero Coral Jewellery
Red coral harvested from the Riviera del Corallo and crafted into necklaces, earrings, and pendants. Sardinian red coral is protected and strictly regulated, so buy only from certified shops with a certificate of authenticity.
Price: €30-500+
Where: Historic coral shops on Via Carlo Alberto in Alghero old town
Sardinian Filigree (Fede Sarda Ring)
Intricate gold and silver filigree jewellery dating back centuries, including the traditional fede sarda wedding ring and large filigranedda earrings. Isili is the historic craft centre for the technique.
Price: €20-500+
Where: Jewellery workshops in Isili / shops in Cagliari, Oristano, and Sassari
Pane Carasau
The traditional shepherd's crispbread of wafer-thin, crunchy baked flatbread, also called carta musica. It keeps for months and makes an excellent edible gift.
Price: €3-8 per packet
Where: Local bakeries island-wide / Ogliastra and Barbagia varieties are best
Bottarga (Cabras Mullet Roe)
Sun-dried, salt-cured grey mullet roe from the Cabras lagoon near Oristano, considered the finest in the world. Known as the truffle of the sea, it is grated over pasta or sliced thin on toast.
Price: €15-80 per lobe
Where: Cabras village shops / Oristano market / speciality food shops
Mirto Liqueur
The iconic Sardinian digestif made from myrtle berries, produced in a sweet red version from the berries and a more complex white version from the leaves. Artisanal mirto from small producers is far superior to mass-produced bottles.
Price: €8-25 per bottle
Where: Speciality food shops / markets / direct from producers
Cannonau & Vermentino Wine
Sardinia's signature wines, rarely found beyond the island. Cannonau di Sardegna is the famous full-bodied red, while Vermentino di Gallura DOCG is the finest crisp white.
Price: €6-30 per bottle
Where: Enoteche / cooperative wineries in Dorgali, Jerzu, and Santadi
Pecorino Sardo
World-class sheep's-milk cheese ranging from young and mild (dolce) to aged and sharp (stagionato). The rustic, smoky Fiore Sardo is also worth seeking out. Vacuum-packed aged wheels travel well.
Price: €8-20 per kg
Where: Markets / cheese shops (caseifici) / agriturismi
Pattada Knives (Resolza)
The handmade pattadese folding knife, considered the finest in Italy, with a distinctive curved blade and ram-horn handle. A genuine artisan object and collector's item.
Price: €40-200+
Where: Knifemakers in Pattada village / craft shops in Cagliari and Nuoro
Castelsardo Woven Baskets
Exceptionally fine baskets woven from asphodel, dwarf palm, and rushes using techniques passed down through generations in the hilltop town of Castelsardo.
Price: €15-200+
Where: Workshops lining the approach road to Castelsardo old town
Handwoven Textiles (Tappeti)
Handwoven carpets, wall hangings, and blankets with bold geometric patterns in red, black, and gold. The finest pieces are made on traditional looms and can take weeks to produce.
Price: €30-500+
Where: Aggius and Nule (carpets) / Oristano market / ISOLA craft centres
Sardinian Ceramics
Hand-painted ceramics and terracotta in traditional Sardinian motifs, from decorative plates to tableware. Oristano has a long tradition of pottery and majolica.
Price: €10-150+
Where: Oristano ceramic workshops / craft shops in Cagliari and Alghero
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercato di San Benedetto
One of Italy's largest covered food markets, spread over two floors. The ground floor is devoted to a vast fish hall while the upper floor sells meat, cheese, fruit, vegetables, and local specialities. An essential Cagliari experience.
Where: Via Francesco Cocco Ortu, 09128 Cagliari CA
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:00-13:30
Mercato Civico di Sassari
Sassari's historic covered civic market, a lively hub for fresh fish, regional cheeses, fruit, vegetables, and northern Sardinian food products.
Where: Via Roma, 07100 Sassari SS
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30-13:30
Alghero Weekly Street Market
Alghero's large weekly open-air market, with stalls selling clothing, leather goods, local cheeses and olives, and Sardinian craft items.
Where: Via degli Orti and surrounding streets, 07041 Alghero SS
Hours: Wednesday mornings (approximately 8:00-13:30)
Olbia Weekly Market
A bustling weekly street market in Olbia offering clothing, fresh local produce, cheeses, and everyday goods, popular with locals and visitors from the Costa Smeralda.
Where: Via Mincio area, 07026 Olbia SS
Hours: Tuesday mornings (approximately 8:00-13:30)
Nuoro Weekly Market
Nuoro's traditional weekly market in the heart of the Barbagia region, with strong local cheeses, cured meats, pane carasau, and authentic inland Sardinian crafts.
Where: Piazza Mameli and central streets, 08100 Nuoro NU
Hours: Friday mornings (approximately 8:00-13:00)
Bosa Farmers' Market
A small farmers' market in the colourful riverside town of Bosa, selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, local Malvasia di Bosa wine, honey, olives, and cheese from nearby farms.
Where: Piazza IV Novembre, 08013 Bosa OR
Hours: Saturday mornings (approximately 8:00-13:00)