Cagliari - Nuoro

Sassari is the island of Sardinia's second-largest city; only Caligari is bigger. A highlight of Sassari's year is the Cavalcata Sarda (Sardinan Cavalcade), an important festival in May. You'll find traditional costumes, parades, equestrian competitions, and more-it's by far the island's biggest folk festival. Another giant festival, in August, is called I Candelieri. There, you'll find the candleworkers' guilds parading with enormous decorated wooden candles.

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
One highlight is the Museo Giovanni Antonio Sanna. Inside you'll find Sardinian paintings, various archaeological artifacts, and an extensive collection of nuraghi models. The town's Duomo, located conveniently on Piazza del Duomo, was built in the Romanesque style in the 15th century. Part of the Cattedrale di San Nicolò, it has been rebuilt with a baroque façade.

Transportation
As with all Sardinian towns, there are buses connecting to most other points on the island. You can also catch a train to Cagliari.