The best traffic-free bike 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

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/.

Or the Menhir of Terrazzu (the location where it is located). A megalithic monument over 5 meters tall; its current height, however, is not its original height, as its top was damaged by lightning. It is said that it was planted in Terrazzu by the giantess Luxia, who was tasked with building a bridge between the island of Sant'Antioco and the mainland. Upon arriving, however, she saw that the bridge had already been built and, enraged, threw the boulder to the ground, where it can be seen today. In the small park where the menhir is located, there is also a bicycle repair and maintenance station sponsored by the Cammino di Santa Barbara, of which the monument is part.

Beautiful forest trails. The mining center has a picnic area with a water tap.