The best gravel rides around Siliqua

Entry is only allowed with a guide, every 15-30 min. The last tour before the lunch break is at 12:15, afterwards at 15:00.

Entrance fee 13 €/ As of May 2026

The climb is very hard but it's totally worth it, it feels like you're in the middle of a sea of rocks

From the beautiful scenery of the coast around Iglesias, on the southwestern tip of Sardinia, a gigantic sugarloaf rises from the sea. Admiring this imposing rock at sunset, rising from the sea just a few meters from the coast, is truly awe-inspiring: the sunlight radiates all shades of yellow and orange off the limestone formation. The Sugarloaf is one of the island's most impressive and spectacular natural monuments and the symbol of the coast around Iglesias. It takes its name from its resemblance to the famous Sugarloaf in the Bay of Rio de Janeiro, which replaced its original Sardinian name, Concali su Terràinu, in the 18th century. It can be reached by dinghy or boat from the beautiful Masua Bay, a stretch of the coast around Iglesias located 2.5 km away.

Nuxis is a small village inhabited since prehistoric times and rich in cultural layers. Among its attractions are the Church of San Pietro, built in 1853, and the Byzantine country church of Sant’Elia di Tattinu. The town of Nuxis is characterized by a vibrant use of mural art: several contemporary murals decorate walls and facades, depicting scenes from local life, portraits of residents, and moments of collective memory. The village has several accommodations, as well as markets and restaurants where you can refresh yourself and stock up on supplies.

Known as the Sulcis Railway, this narrow-gauge line was built in the 1920s by the Ferrovie Meridionali Sarde (Sardinian Southern Railways) to connect the mining areas of Sulcis with coastal towns and ports of embarkation. The route passed through isolated landscapes and wooded valleys, serving villages and mines that are now partly abandoned. Today, bridges, tunnels, and disused stations remain, testifying to the era when the railway was the main means of communication for miners and goods in the southwest of the island.

The Rosas Mine, active from 1849 to 1980 for the extraction of silver-bearing galena, lead, and zinc, is now a multi-purpose museum that chronicles the mining history of the Sulcis region. A guided tour allows access to the underground tunnels and a close-up look at the restored structures, while nearby hiking trails allow visitors to explore the natural environment and traces of the mining activity. For updated hours, costs, and reservations: https://museorosasnarcao.it/.

The evocative Grotta di San Giovanni is a geological and archaeological treasure, as well as the longest vehicle-accessible cave in the world. The cave is accessible from two sides, but the ticket office and information point are located at the main, southern entrance. Entrance is permitted only during cave opening hours. Ticket prices vary depending on the type of visit. You can find all the latest information on the website: https://www.grottasangiovanni.com/.