More a collection of hotels, holiday homes and campgrounds than a traditional village, Chia is surrounded by rusty-red hills tufted with tough macchia. Its beaches are hugely popular, drawing an annual influx of sunseekers, windsurfers and water-sports enthusiasts. To see what all the fuss is about, head up to the Spanish watchtower and look to the west to Spiaggia Sa Colonia, the area's largest and busiest beach, and to the east to the smaller Spiaggia Su Portu.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Santuario & Basilica di Nostra Signora di Bonaria
24.39 MILES
Crowning the Bonaria hill, around 1km southeast of Via Roma, this religious complex is a hugely popular pilgrimage site. Devotees come from all over the…
24.76 MILES
Cagliari’s graceful 13th-century cathedral stands proudly on Piazza Palazzo. Except for the square-based bell tower, little remains of the original Gothic…
24.98 MILES
Of the four museums at the Cittadella dei Musei, this is the undoubted star. Sardinia’s premier archaeological museum showcases artefacts spanning…
25.42 MILES
An easy bus ride from the centre, Cagliari's fabulous Poetto beach extends for 7km beyond the green Promontorio di Sant'Elia, nicknamed the Sella del…
24.74 MILES
This hilltop citadel is Cagliari’s most iconic image, its domes, towers and palazzi, once home to the city’s aristocracy, rising above the sturdy ramparts…
24.59 MILES
This vast neoclassical structure, comprising a gallery space, monumental stairway and panoramic terrace, was built into the city's medieval walls between…
Museo Archeologico Ferruccio Barreca
25.79 MILES
This great little museum is one of the best in southern Sardinia. It has a fascinating collection of local archaeological finds, as well as models of…
19.74 MILES
One of Sardinia's most important archaeological sites, this ancient necropolis occupies a natural rocky amphitheatre in the verdant countryside near…
Nearby Sulcis attractions
8.82 MILES
On the western side of the Nora promontory, you can often spy pink flamingos stalking around the Laguna di Nora. To learn more about the lagoon and its…
8.92 MILES
About 4km from Pula, Nora's ruins are all that remain of what was once one of Sardinia's most powerful cities. Founded by Phoenicians in the 8th century…
8.94 MILES
Before heading up to the archaeological site at Nora, take a moment to stop at this pint-sized Romanesque church. Dating to the 12th century, it marks the…
9.41 MILES
Pula's small archaeology museum provides a useful introduction to what lies down the road at Nora. Alongside ceramics found in Punic and Roman tombs, some…
12.75 MILES
Five kilometres south of Santadi, the Grotte Is Zuddas is a fascinating cave system. Of particular note are the helictites in the main hall. No one really…
15.25 MILES
The best and busiest of the beaches in this neck of the woods, Spiaggia Porto Pino is at the eponymous resort near Sant'Anna Arresi. A favourite with…
7. Museo Etnografico 'Sa Domu Antiga'
15.45 MILES
To give an idea of how villagers lived in the early 20th century, this small museum recreates the home of a relatively well-off rural worker. Admission…
17 MILES
On the road between Santadi and Villaperuccio, this award-winning winery is the place to stock up on local wines. Particularly good are the highly rated…