Villacidro Gravel Cycling Guide: riding Sardinia’s wild southwest
Hidden in the southwest of Sardinia, Villacidro is a rare find for gravel cyclists looking for silence, space, and raw landscapes. Far from busy coastal roads and mass tourism, this small town sits at the gateway to abandoned mines, forest tracks, rugged mountains, and endless quiet roads that feel made for gravel riding.
This Villacidro gravel cycling guide brings together everything you need for a complete riding experience. From our favourite gravel route through wild terrain, to the best cafés to stop for coffee, places to sleep, and activities to enjoy off the bike. Villacidro offers a slower, more authentic side of Sardinia, where cycling blends naturally with history, culture, and nature.
This guide is part of Nafent Magazine volume 16. For more stories and information about gravel cycling on Sardinia, purchase your copy today in Nafent’s webshop.
Whether you’re planning a dedicated gravel trip or adding an off-the-beaten-path destination to your Sardinia itinerary, Villacidro delivers some of the most rewarding and untouched gravel riding on the island.
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Best gravel route in Villacidro
Nafent’s favourite route is of medium-high difficulty, with most of the climbing in the first part of the ride as we head towards Montevecchio, where we explore an abandoned mine. Gravel roads of varying quality connect various retired mining sites across the region, offering an extraordinary riding experience.
Learn more about our favourite route in this seperate story.
Where to sleep in Villacidro
The most spectacular views of Villacidro can be found along the gravel road called Via Panoramica, on the side of the local mountain. On this road stands the tallest building in town, recently opened as a bed and breakfast, and undoubtedly offering the best view of the village.
B&B La Panoramica: breakfasts with a view
From the vantage point of the terrace you can see all the way to the coast, and to Cagliari on clear days (which is most of the time in Sardinia). The exceptional views captivate the eye as we recount our gravel ride from that morning, pointing at the landscape unfolding in front of us.
Gianni, the owner of the bed and breakfast, has built the premises himself over the past few years. Whilst it’s not entirely finished yet, the three completed rooms are already beautifully furnished. A gym is under construction and should be ready by next spring, while future plans also include a garden solarium and a swimming pool.
Breakfasts on the balcony, with the sunrise lighting up the windows, are truly a special experience. As a triathlete who has completed several half-distance Ironman races, Gianni knows exactly what athletes need when it comes to adequate fueling and a nutritious breakfast. “I know what they need, and I adapt to each guest”, he explains. “Besides, we like preparing healthy breakfasts for ourselves, too. My wife cooks every day to offer our guests the best meal possible.”
B&B La Panoramica combines the warm hospitality of its owners with practical services for cyclists, such as secure bike storage with charging points for e-bikes. Located on the quiet slopes of the local hills, it also offers easy access to MTB trails that start literally from the doorstep. And, last but not least, Gianni also offers massages to his guests, rounding out the perfect experience for athletes in Villacidro.
Domo Rooms: cycling services in one package
If you’re visiting Villacidro and want all cycling services gathered in one package, Domo Rooms is the right place.
Domo Rooms is a great accommodation option, fully equipped for cyclists. Guests have access to expert guides, a small repair workshop, the best local knowledge of the area’s gravel roads, and La Nuragica located next door.
Cristina and Massimo have set up Domo Rooms especially with cyclists in mind. As you enter the recently renovated building, you immediately find the bike storage. Here there is also space with locks to store personal items such as glasses and helmets. Going up to the first floor, you’ll find three functional rooms and a common area that includes a kitchen. Each room also has a small private kitchenette available as an extra service, and there is free use of a washing machine.
Cristina and Massimo’s experience with sports and cyclists’ needs is reflected in the facilities: a fully equipped common area, a good coffee machine, a microwave, and a large fridge to keep fresh food, including protein-rich products for recovery. Each room also has its own fridge and spacious wardrobes to easily store cycling clothing.
It’s always nice to stay in a place where the owners understand the needs of cyclists. With Cristina and Massimo’s hospitality, their motivation to provide the best routes, the right breakfast, and a friendly approach; Domo Rooms offers exceptional accommodation in Villacidro.
Off-bike activities in and around Villacidro
On the outskirts of Villacidro, at exactly 9:30 in the morning, Fabrizio Falchi opens the door of his liquorificio—the workshop where this Sardinian sportsman produces three kinds of liqueur. He invites us inside, explains how each drink is created, and shares the fascinating story behind the name of his business: Is Cogas.
Liquorificio Is Cogas: a fascinating story behind the local liquor
For centuries, the hills around Villacidro have been alive with tales of Is Cogas, the witches of Sardinia. The village elders still recount age-old stories of how these mysterious figures would appear at night, dressed in rags, with claw-like nails. It was rumoured that these demonic women could transform into houseflies to torment families, especially children, feeding on their blood. The townspeople, in turn, sought protection from San Sisinnio, a local saint.
This fantastical tale still lingers on in Villacidro today. Just outside the town stands a small church dedicated to San Sisinnio. Inside is a painting of the saint, surrounded by female figures being swept away by the wind or engulfed in flames—an echo of the myth as it was once told.
Every year, on the first Sunday of August, the town gathers to celebrate the feast of San Sisinnio. Processions, music, and prayers intertwine with the stories of the Cogas, to which Fabrizio has paid tribute by naming his liquorificio after them. The legend of the witches has become one of Villacidro’s unique attractions, and the local liqueur producer has concocted his creations around this myth.
Cyclists finishing their gravel rides in Villacidro can end the day at the Liquorificio Is Cogas, where post-ride zero-kilometer snacks await them. “We store the bikes safely, and then I start a little tour of my workshop”, the owner says. It’s an experience not to be missed—not only for the tasting, but also for the chance to see how his three liqueurs are made, using myrtle berries, licorice and anise, local roots, and honey.
It’s one of the ways gravel riding in Villacidro becomes a deeply cultural experience.
Natura360: Snorkeling, yoga, surfing and many more off-the-bike activities
Spending a week in Villacidro makes you realise that the real Sardinia is experienced outside the touristic coastal towns. The hospitality and kindness of the locals is simply on another level. That being said, Sardinia’s coastline and beaches are famous for a reason, and a good way to explore them is with Natura360.
The company from Villacidro offers, snorkelling, beach yoga, supping and surfing, while also providing transfers from your accommodation to the beach and vice-versa. All with the happiness and humbleness that all inhabitants of the small Sardinian village stand for; quite different to what the majority of big seaside resorts can offer.
It’s that personal touch to a tour with Natura360 that makes the experience unforgettable. The stories, the knowledge that only locals have, and the patience to show, teach and tell you anything you need to enjoy your time at the beach.
Even for those who don’t want to travel too far out, Natura360 offers gastronomic tours and aperitifs on the lake’s platform on Lake Villacidro.
Natura360’s tours are an ideal activity to follow up a morning ride on the roads around Villacidro. An excellent way to wind down, recover and relax on Italy’s most beautiful island.
Where to eat in Villacidro
Whenever you go to Antica Caffè Norbio in downtown Villacidro, there is always a bustling atmosphere. Regular visitors sip their morning coffees with a pistachio croissant in hand, locals have their first beer just before lunchtime, and sporty types stop by in the afternoon to enjoy a good cup of coffee with a snack. Antica Caffè Norbio is a community hub in town for everyone.
Antica Caffè Norbio: community hub in Villacidro
Peter, the owner of the café and originally from Croatia, once moved to the Dolomites for Italian culture and sport. It was there, on the slopes of Passo Pordoi, that he met the woman who would become his wife. Together they traded the German-speaking area of Italy for the relaxed lifestyle of Sardinia. And today they run Antica Caffè Norbio, the most popular bar in town.
The café is open from early morning to late at night, serving breakfasts, lunches, and dinners and also offering a space where locals gather to enjoy a beer, and where cycling groups set off for their rides.
Nafent Social Club event
As a former sportsman himself, Peter enjoys being surrounded by people who share his passion. “In the Dolomites I learned much about cycling, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a hard sport that demands fitness and thrives on community, especially at the amateur level. That’s how I like to contribute to the local cycling scene.”
When Nafent Magazine organized its community event together with La Nuragica in Villacidro, Peter proved to be an excellent and enthusiastic host, fully aware of what’s needed to create a fun and meaningful time together.
Peter admits it’s hard for him to say no to good food, and even harder in Sardinia. “Luckily I enjoy preparing Sardinian cuisine for others as much as I do for myself! I love to tempt people with surprising dishes and to serve great food while sharing good moments together.”
Cycling events in Villacidro
Sardinia has a long tradition of cycling events that reflect the island’s strong connection to landscape, culture, and outdoor life. From road races in the mountains to growing gravel and adventure-focused events, Sardinia offers a calendar that appeals to riders looking for more than just competition. Many events combine cycling with local food, small towns, and routes that pass through areas still largely untouched by mass tourism.
Graveldonnée
Graveldonnée is the gravel event most closely linked to Villacidro. Designed as a social and exploratory ride, it follows gravel roads, old mining tracks, and quiet mountain paths around the town. The focus is on route quality, landscape, and shared riding rather than racing. It’s a strong entry point for riders who want to discover Villacidro’s gravel scene in an organised but relaxed setting.
Transichnusa
Transichnusa is an ultra-distance bikepacking event that crosses Sardinia from coast to coast, mixing asphalt, gravel, and remote inland tracks. While it spans the entire island, parts of the route often pass through the southwest, linking Villacidro to the wider Sardinian interior. It attracts experienced riders looking for long days, navigation, and self-supported adventure.
Shardana Bikeventure
Shardana Bikeventure is a multi-day bikepacking challenge that explores Sardinia’s most rugged and historic areas. The routes connect mountains, forests, and mining regions, often including terrain similar to that found around Villacidro. The event blends cycling, history, and survival-style riding, appealing to riders who want a deep and demanding experience of the island.
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