Pagan Festivals of Sardinia

Take a step back in time for a wild cultural experience! Veteran WT Trip Leader Stefano Baldi is one of our most beloved Europe Trip Leaders, and has created some extraordinary WT Expeditions. Now you can join him on his latest—and perhaps most curiously fascinating—expedition: a discovery of the captivating pagan festivals of Sardinia, wild spectacles that hold true to their Sardo roots, with 2,000-year-old rituals, allegorical reenactments, colorful parades, masked dancers, lively music, dancing in the streets, and horse racing events. This is a chance to experience the real Sardinia-the deep “dark heart” of the interior, where few tourists venture, and where the locals proudly keep the oldest traditions. In the company of Stefano, whose irrepressible, exuberant nature is well known and loved by all who travel with him, we can’t help but get caught up in the action! Along with the festivals, we visit artisans in their workshops, learn the culinary secrets of making good pasta, see how the special bread—pane carasau—is made, and enjoy a wine tasting as we visit one of the most renowned wineries of the island.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Olbia / Santulussurgiu

Our introduction to the heart of Sardinia begins on foot, with walks along Lake Omodeo and in the Mamoiada area, with its beautiful landscape and “forgotten” archaeological sites. We also learn about Sardinia's ancient past as we visit a Bronze Age tomb and the intriguing Museum of Mediterranean Masks, which displays the traditional masks used in Sardinian festivals.

Days 3-6
Pagan Festivals of Sardinia

We take the next few days to revel in the fun and excitement of Sardinia’s most fascinating pagan festivals, a chance to share a part of its fascinating ancestral history. At the Mamuthones carnival, we witness solemn parades of mysterious masqueraders in costumes of black sheepskins, heavy brass cowbells, and somber black wooden masks. We also take part in the Carrela E Nanti, where horses are ridden wildly through the narrow streets of Santu Lussurgiu in daring acts of bravery and skill, and we are treated to the genuine hospitality extended to istranzos (foreigners); the Sartiglia, a reenactment of a medieval tournament on horseback, complete with reverberant drums and cheering crowds; and the carnival in Ovodda, culminating with a huge bonfire in the main square. Between festivals, we’ll enjoy short hikes along with the delights of Sardinia's traditional cuisine.

Days 7-9
Fordongianus / Countryside Hikes

We take a break from the festivals to hike across the Assai Reserve, enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and thick cork oak forests, and we visit the village of Santa Cristina, notable for its eerie underground well-temple dating to 1000 BC and dedicated to a cult of the mother-goddess. Depart from Olbia on Day 9.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated a 2, easy to moderate, according to our trip grading system. Our hikes range from one to four hours in length and are mostly on easy terrain, with the occasional rocky trail. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 PM.

Explanation of Trip Levels