Sassari, the second largest city in Sardinia, may not be the most popular tourist destination, but it still has plenty to offer. This article will explore landmarks, parks, places for evening drinks, or Aperol, and where to enjoy breakfast.
Welcome to the beautiful city of Sassari, the second-largest and one of the liveliest places on the island of Sardinia! If you enjoy immersing yourself in rich history, discovering architectural treasures, and strolling through vibrant streets, this is the place for you. I lived in Sassari for three months, and I’d like to show you a few landmarks and beautiful places worth visiting. And of course where to have the best pizza and gelato in the city!
Sightseeing in Sassari
As you walk through the city center, take a moment to admire the stunning architecture, reflecting various historical periods. From medieval churches with majestic bell towers to elegant palaces with grand facades, each step is filled with beauty and uniqueness.
Sassari isn’t a place where you’ll find hordes of tourists and souvenir shops. I think I stumbled upon only one store that sold Sardinia-themed magnets. There may not be as many landmarks as in the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, but I believe a visit to Sassari is still worthwhile.
City Centre
Piazza Italia
One of the essential places in Sassari is Piazza Italia. It is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Sardinia. It is located on the edge of the medieval old town, close to the city walls and Via Roma, which has existed since Roman times. The monument of Vittoria Emmanuele II in the center of the square dates back to the late 19th century. In a neo-Gothic style, there’s Palazzo Giordano, the former residence of the king and queen of the province, where the original rooms have been preserved.
Duomo in Sassari
Cattedrale di Sant Nicola, also known as Duomo, is a cathedral dedicated to Saint Bari. The Duomo boasts Gothic arches, classical decorations, and a baroque facade. A bell tower and the left part of the cathedral were built at the beginning of the 13th century. Five centuries later, a dome was added. In the second half of the 15th century, the construction was elevated to the status of a cathedral. It has maintained its present appearance for more than two centuries.
The baroque facade consists of three levels – an entrance with three arches, three niches adorned with sculptures of martyrs Gavino, Porot, and Gianuario, and a niche containing the so-called Padreterno. Inside, you can find a marble altar and Corinthian columns. Above the altar, there is Madonna del Bosco, a 14th-century painting.
Fontana di Rosello
Fontana di Rosello is sometimes considered the symbol of the city. The oldest mention of the Rosello fountain dates back to 1295. Over the centuries, the fountain underwent many reconstructions. Its current form resulted from a reconstruction in the early 17th century. The fountain consists of an upper part made of white marble and a lower part made of gray marble.
On the lower part, you can see an inscription indicating the work carried out between 1605 and 1606 during the reign of King Philip III. The fountain symbolizes the passage of time, represented by twelve mouths and the presence of four sculptures of the seasons.
Palazzo Ducale
Palazzo Ducale is a historic palace from the second half of the 18th century. Today, it serves as the seat of the city administration. The building was constructed between 1775 and 1805. Socially, the construction of Palazzo Ducale aimed to strengthen the leading role of the family towards the emerging middle class and, above all, the “colony” of Genoese merchants who controlled the trade in food and livestock. The building is constructed from limestone and extends over three floors. The main floor has a row of windows characterized by semicircular and triangular pediments.
Parks in Sassari
Parco di Monseratto
Parco di Monseratto is a park located on the southwest outskirts of the city, covering an area of 6 hectares. The park is connected by several major pathways, with each section featuring different types of plants. It includes a small lake inhabited by turtles. Another green space is Giardini Pubblici. It has a bus stop from where you can travel to Platamona (beach). However, the gardens are not very pleasant due to the presence of many pigeons and some peculiar individuals. A short walk from there is Piazza Università, the university headquarters, which is also worth a visit.
Piazza Santa Caterina
Piazza Santa Caterina is a gathering place, especially for students in the evening, sitting on the steps and enjoying a drink. It is a location where various concerts are often held, and tango dancing is common. Nearby is Piazza Tola, where you can find many bars offering aperitivo. I recommend all the bars, as some provide cheeses and prosciutto, while others offer couscous. Concerts are frequent here, and you will always find children playing ball at midnight.
Università degli Studi di Sassari
The University of Sassari is one of the most important institutions of its kind in Sardinia. Founded in 1562, it has since become a significant center of academic education in the city. The university campus, located not far from the city center, provides a modern environment for study and research.
The University of Sassari offers a wide range of study programs and fields, encompassing humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Students have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills through interactive courses, seminars, and laboratory work. Furthermore, the university promotes internationalization, allowing students to participate in exchange programs with partner institutions worldwide.
Where to Get Gelato, Breakfast, and Pizza
Gelato in Sassari
- For gelato, don’t miss Naturalia, a must-visit place very popular among the locals. Sassari has two branches, one in the old town on Via Roma and the other on Via Giovanni Amendola. They offer a wide range of flavors, and I recommend going here for breakfast to enjoy a croissant with Nutella or frutti di bosco. Try their frapé, which mixes two gelato flavors with a bit of milk, creating a milkshake-like treat.
- Another great place is Gelateria Slurp, close to Piazza Italia. I recommend trying their chocolate and frutti di boschi flavors. They serve excellent gelato and are open in the evenings, making it the perfect spot for a late-night treat.
- Gelateria Bosisio Passione Bio is located near Giardini Pubblici and offers organic gelato without added preservatives, dyes, or anything else artificial. They have unique flavors like panna cotta, hazelnuts with figs, or panna cotta with oranges. However, I don’t recommend their sorbets, as for some reason, all their gelato has a cream base.
Top Three Places for Breakfast
- One of my favourite spots has become Caffé Divino, located on Via Roma. They serve excellent chocolate croissants, and their cappuccino is topped with chocolate, making it the number one place for breakfast.
- Another place I didn’t expect to find breakfast, mainly because I usually went there for drinks, is Abetone. It’s on Viale Italia and operates as a self-service spot. On your right, you’ll find pastries, pick what you want, and then order coffee at the bar. You’ll pay less than elsewhere, and if you come around 8, the pastries will still be warm.
- The third place I recommend is Miu Café in the city center. This café is hidden on a lantern-lit street and offers excellent coffee, even though the service is usually slightly confused.
Try to avoid cafés with Maya coffee; they mostly offer the same, rather average pastries.
Top Three Places for Pizza in Sassari
Fiori Piazza is an excellent and affordable pizzeria. You can sit inside, and they offer fantastic pizza like Pizza Buffalo with mozzarella and tomatoes. Pizzeria Pianetta, a few streets down, is also a great place for an evening pizza. If you’re in a hurry and need something quick in the city center, Pizza di Andrea is a place to go. It may be average, but they prepare it very quickly.
In Sassari, they also serve pizza with French fries on top. It’s a unique combination, but it tastes really good. You’ll often find a folded slice of pizza, usually margherita, which is usually sold for less than two euros.
Where to Shop
For fresh produce, the best places are the markets held on Piazza Emiciclo on Saturday mornings and small shops located on almost every street.
If you want to go shopping for clothing, electronics, or sporting goods, I recommend the shopping centers Centro Commerciale Auchan and Galeria Tanit, which also houses Carrefour and Decathlon. There’s a Lidl nearby as well. Clothing can be purchased mainly in the city center, where you’ll find well-known stores like Zara, Intimissimi, or AW Lab. On Viale Italia, there’s Terranova and Coin.
For more expensive cosmetics, UPIM is a good choice. I bought basic groceries at Conad, which is moderately priced and offers a reasonably good selection. For a SIM card, I recommend Wind. If you plan to stay on Sardinia for an extended period, you can get 20GB of internet for as little as 9 euros (this was the price in summer 2018, is likely to be more now)
I hope this article proves helpful if you’re traveling to Sardinia or find yourself in Sassari by chance. Other cities you can visit in the area include Oristano and Olbia.