Hidden Corners of Sardinia Set for Tourism Investment
Sardinia plans to invest €38 million in 15 villages as part of a programme designed to support local economies and address population decline. The initiative, titled Tourism in the Villages, focuses on smaller communities across the island, including Bosa, Castelsardo, Carloforte and Posada. Each selected municipality is expected to receive around €2.5 million to improve infrastructure, hospitality services and conditions for year-round tourism activity.
The agreement was signed by regional tourism representatives and local authorities, outlining plans to promote lesser-known destinations beyond Sardinia’s busy coastal resorts. The programme supports efforts to spread visitor flows more evenly across the island, while encouraging interest in local traditions, regional cuisine and landscapes shaped by mountains, forests and historical settlements. Walking routes and cultural heritage are expected to play a role in positioning these areas for tourism development.
“This memorandum, which provides €38 million in Fondo Sviluppo e Coesione funds to be divided equally among the 15 municipalities, finally allows Sardinia to fully enter and position itself in the village tourism market, which is a rapidly growing market in Europe and, I would say, globally."
Regional officials also highlighted the importance of supporting jobs linked to tourism in smaller communities. Similar approaches are seen across southern Europe, where rural areas look for practical ways to stay economically active while preserving traditional lifestyles. Sardinia’s plan focuses on attracting visitors interested in local culture, food and everyday life, instead of concentrating travel demand only in coastal destinations during the busiest summer period.
Places Included in the Village Tourism Programme
- Bosa and Castelsardo with historic centres
- Carloforte and La Maddalena linked to coastal landscapes
- Gavoi, Oliena and Laconi known for inland scenery
- Posada and Tempio Pausania with cultural heritage
- Sadali, Atzara and Galtellì reflecting traditional life
Improved access and visitor facilities may encourage trips to inland areas that are often less visited than the island’s beaches. Visitors can explore walking routes, regional dishes such as gnocchetti sardi and bottarga, and smaller towns that show everyday Sardinian life. The villages included in the programme offer alternatives to busier coastal destinations and create more possibilities to visit outside the main summer season.
The project highlights growing interest in travel focused on local culture, landscapes and traditions. Investment in village infrastructure may increase accommodation choices and improve services in smaller communities. People planning trips to Italy may find new places to visit in less coastal parts of Sardinia, where historic towns, natural scenery and a slower daily rhythm can be experienced in different seasons of the year.