Cagliari - Nuoro

Nuoro, in Eastern Sardinia, sits against a backdrop of the breathtaking Sardinian mountains. The town is small not very touristy, perhaps because there are not many attractions. Although it is a good base for other Sardinian tourist destinations, accommodation prices are rather high.

History
The Catalan Aragonese stole the town from the dominion of Genoa. It was colonized by the Catalani family in the 14th century and they called it "Barceloneta," little Barcelona, giving it mighty fortifications that still characterize its landscape. Even today the locals speak a dialect strongly linked to the Catalan language.

Sights
Try the Museo della Vita e delle Tradizioni Poplari Sarki (Museum of the Life and Traditions of the Sardegnan People), which features an interesting array of costumes, masks, and more. The Neoclassical cathedral is also worth checking out. Monte Ortobene is a mountain with bronze statue of Christ at the top, as well as a large park.

If you're in Nuoro in August, you'll be treated to the Sagra del Redentore, or Feast of the Redeemer, where you'll find traditional Sardinian garb, dances, and performances.

Transportation
Use the train from Cagliari to get to the town, or one of the buses that traverse the island, including ARST, PANI, or F. Deplanu.