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Bosa

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+96

9 reviews of Bosa

A city of colors

Bosa is small city in western Sardinia. You notice it from the highway due to its brightly colored houses (“Sa Costa,” locally) and the maze-like mesh of cobblestone streets in the historic center. In a way, Bosa is a city which blends tradition and modernity. The old city’s main street, Corso Vittorio Emmanuele II, is lined with 19th-century buildings and ornate iron balconies and the entire town is watched over by the 10th-century Malaspina Castle. The Temo River crosses through the village and is lined on one side by high palm trees and by historic abandoned tanneries on the other.

Bosa locals are also big fans of pizza and the best place to grab a slice is Giovanni, a small pizzeria near the main square.

The city also has a beach area called the Bosa Marina where you can enjoy a seaside walk with views of the Spanish lookout tower and the lighthouse. If you go in summer, you’ll have the opportunity to see the sunset from a small outdoor bar they set up. Don’t miss it if you have the chance! Having a icy cocktail (with food, of course) while enjoying an evening by the sea is an unforgettable moment. If you go with your significant other, it’ll be one of the most romantic moments of your trip!
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+6

Terraces in Bosa

In the Sardinian town of Bosa, as in most of Italy, terraces are everywhere. On every corner, in every street or walko there is a terrace for the weary visitor or locals themselves ttake a snack or tapas, which also exist here. Sardinia, as a typical Mediterranean island, is the perfect spot for an outdoor aperitif. And, of course, follow the local tradition of taking an ice cream at any time of the day.

+18

Enchanting village

In this enchanting village, the colorful homes seem to climb up the sides of the Serravalle, the village’s small mountain which is topped by the Malaspina Castle. The Temo River, on its lazy course to the sea, cuts through the village and divides it in two. On the left side, you’ll see the old factories (“Sas Conzas”) which hearken back to a bygone era. As you follow the river to its mouth, you’ll arrive at the large beach of Bosa Marina. There’s also a sports marina and the 15th-century Isola Rossa lookout tower (also called the Torre del Porto). The marina area is a wonderful place to enjoy the

Blue Mediterranean and views of the village.
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+2

Originally a Phoenician city

Bosa, a little gem of a village in western Sardinia, is a must for anyone visiting the island, not only for its unforgettable scenery and amiable atmosphere, but also because it’s a truly unique place. Given that so much of Sardinia's economy is based on sun-and-sea tourism, it's surprising to find out that there are actually very few ancient coastal cities. In the past, the island's inhabitants tended to stick to the interior where they subsisted off of herding and agriculture rather than fishing and surfing! Bosa, though, was originally a Phoenician city, a fact which makes sense given its strategic location.


The is set in a beautiful valley at the foot of the Serravalle mountain and Malaspina Castle, built in 1112. There are several ways of getting to Bosa, but the most beautiful routes are those from Suni or Modolo. After navigating a series of curves, the town suddenly appears before you as if out of thin air. The first glimpse of the colorful houses is absolutely breathtaking. Another beautiful route is from Alghero. As you approach the town, you'll turn a curve and suddenly have a gorgeous vista of the town and the Mediterranean Sea in all its cobalt blue and emerald green glory.

Modern Bosa is a beach town and the Bosa Marina is easily reached on foot (about 20min. from the center of town). The real treasure, though, is the coastline just outside of town. The jagged, rocky coast is dotted with small coves and whimsical bays that seem like little slice of paradise on earth. What makes the Bosa coast beautiful is that it's still wild and untouched; there are no traces of the mega-resorts or unrestrained development so common on other areas of the Mediterranean coast.

Bosa’s landscape is indeed beautiful, but it's also worth visiting for the history. As you walk the streets of this medieval town, you can literally feel the ancient atmosphere and you get the distinct impression that nothing has changed in years. There are several walking routes you can follow to explore the town of Bosa. The most traditional route goes from the Bosa Cathedral and crosses town towards the castle. The cathedral is an imposing 15th-century architectural work and it’s located at the corner of Via Lungo Temo and the Corso Vittorio Emanuelle II, the latter of which is lined with historic palaces from Bosa's noble class. For those not so interested in art and architecture, the Corso also has lots of little shops and cafes, especially around Piazza Fontana. If you take a side street, you'll enter the Sa Costa where everything is as it once was: narrow streets, cobblestones, colorful homes, long stairs, and a general air of long-held traditions.

As you continue walking through Sa Costa, you'll reach a staircase which leads up the castle. The castle, at first, might seem a bit disappointing as there is little of the original structures still intact. But, as you approach the walls and especially if you climb the towers, you'll find that your trip was not in vain! The sheer height of the castle allows you to enjoy views of the entire valley, not to mention the charming mix of colorful homes, bright red roofs, green gardens, and white boats in the harbor below. My advice is to head up the castle just before sunset...it's stunning!
Another possible route follows the path of the river. Again, you start at the Cathedral but instead of going up, you take the Via Lungo Temo. This pleasant walk takes you past the Ponte Vecchio and the 18th-century tanneries (Sas Conzas), now recognized as national monuments. The Capuchino monastery and the various Romanesque churches along the way are also worth visiting. For art lovers, I'd like to mention the Pinacoteca and its beautiful collection of Sardinian painter Antonio Atza, as well as the Deriu House museum’s original period furniture. All in all, Bosa is a place that offers lots of possibilities depending on what time of year you're visiting.
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+30
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