There are 7 Sardinian villages that have the Bandiera Arancione.
The Italian Touring Club follows to two specific criteria: the value of the historical, environmental, cultural heritage and the hospitality
For the three-year period 2021-2023, the Italian Touring Club has awarded 262 small towns with Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag). Of these, 7 are villages of Sardinia appreciated for their historical, environmental and cultural heritage and for the hospitality.
What is Bandiera Arancione
It is a tourist-environmental quality recognition from the Italian Touring Club (T.C.I.). The latter is a non-profit association founded in 1894 in Milan. Its aim is promoting tourism throughout the Italian territory. The first article of its Statute is a small programmatic manifesto of its activities. The objective is the “development of tourism, also intended as a means of knowledge of countries and cultures, and of mutual understanding and respect between peoples. In particular, the T.C.I. intends to collaborate in the protection and education for a correct enjoyment of the Italian historic, artistic and natural heritage, which we consider as an irreplaceable asset to be passed on to future generations”.
Bandiera Arancione is one of the many T.C.I.’s activities in favor of the Italian cultural and historical heritage. And it fully follows the tourism development objectives set by the association. In fact, it is assigned to towns that have a valuable historical, cultural and environmental heritage, but which are also able to offer tourists a high level service. It is an environmental and tourist quality mark for municipalities with less than 15 thousand inhabitants.
The assignment of the flag considers the point of view of the traveler, if they are satisfied with the accommodation facilities, services, hospitality and atmosphere of the place. These are the criteria with which the T.C.I. assigns the Bandiera Arancione since 1998, at the time in collaboration with the Liguria Region and then assigned to locations throughout Italy.
However, the recognition has a temporary validity. Indeed, every three years, the municipalities must re-submit their candidacy (they are always thousands) to the T.C.I. which verifies the standards. In this way, T.C.I. guarantees visitors with constant monitoring of the tourist offer and incentives the towns to always improve.
The Sardinian villages awarded with Bandiera Arancione
There are 7 Bandiera Arancione of Sardinia:
- Aggius
- Tempio
- Galtellì
- Gavoi
- Oliena
- Laconi
- Sardara
Aggius and Tempio are in the province of Sassari, in the heart of the historical sub-region of Gallura. The first is known for its medieval village, also one of the Authentic Villages of Italy. The second, for some nuraghi (the most famous are Agnu, Polcu and Maiori).
In the charming village of Galtellì, in the province of Nuoro, Grazia Deledda set her famous novel “Canne al vento”. It is located in the Cedrino Valley, at the foot of the panoramic Monte Tuttavista. Also in the province of Nuoro is Gavoi, where the Literary Festival of Sardinia has been held every year since 2004 in the first days of July. It is organized by the cultural association Isola delle Storie and among its founders there are several Sardinian writers, such as Flavio Soriga, Giulio Angiorni, Luciano Marroccu and Michela Murgia.
Still in the Nuorese area, between mountains, woods and springs, there is a village that preserves the essence and charm of Barbagia. It is Oliena, which surroundings are an immense natural monument, ideal for trekking, biking, climbing and kayaking.
Instead, Laconi is located on the border between southern Sardinia and Barbagia, in the center of the island. It is a village characterized by nature and archeology, traditions, and festivals. Famous for its over 100 menhirs, both protoanthropomorphic (with a flat perspective face) and anthropomorphic, that is, with stylized somatic features. But dozens of other menhirs are in the Museum of Prehistoric Statuary, inside Palazzo Aymerich.
Finally, the last Bandiera Arancione belongs to Sardara, a town in the ancient historical region of Monreale. This town is famous for its thermal baths and agricultural center, and obtained the recognition in 2005, reconfirming it even later. In 2009 it also received the Herity Certification on the quality of cultural heritage management.
Do you want to explore the 7 Sardinian villages awarded with Bandiera Arancione and live a charming holiday? Book a stay at Palazzo Doglio in Cagliari.
