San Pietro Island
Latest update: 28 February 2022
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Measuring 51 square kilometres, the little-known San Pietro Island is in fact the sixth biggest of Italy's many islands. It's the smaller of the two islands in the Sulcis Peninsula, located just eight kilometres from its larger neighbour, Sant'Antioco.
The island's name has changed several times over the years; the Carthaginians called it Enosim while the Romans knew it as Accipitrum with both names deriving from the proliferation of sparrowhawks that the island was once home to. The modern name comes from a legend that Saint Peter was shipwrecked and miraculously washed up on the island. |
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There is a strong influence of Ligurian (north western Italy) culture in the island's cuisine and local dialect. The Ligurians settled on the island in the 16th century, before hundreds of years later they were abducted by African pirates who took them back to Tunisia to be slaves. Italian King Vittorio Emanuele 1st eventually paid a ransom to restore the islanders to their home in 1803.
Most of today's six thousand inhabitants live in the island's only town, Carloforte. The elegant port town is listed as one of the "Borghi Più Belli d'Italia" (Italy's most beautiful villages) and it's easy to understand why. The lively town centre is filled with brightly-coloured buildings where you'll find some great restaurants and a good number of shops and cafes.
The town centre is built on a hill which slopes down to the port: the place where the majority of visitors arrive by ferry. You can arrive in Carloforte either from Portovesme on the Sardinian mainland (40 minutes) or from Calasetta on the neighbouring island of Sant'Antioco (30 minutes).
Although there is a bus system in place on the island, a car is advantageous to allow easy exploration of the interior and coastline. One of the most popular destinations is Spiaggia La Caletta with its display of bright blue shades of water and volcanic rocks waiting to be explored.
Most of today's six thousand inhabitants live in the island's only town, Carloforte. The elegant port town is listed as one of the "Borghi Più Belli d'Italia" (Italy's most beautiful villages) and it's easy to understand why. The lively town centre is filled with brightly-coloured buildings where you'll find some great restaurants and a good number of shops and cafes.
The town centre is built on a hill which slopes down to the port: the place where the majority of visitors arrive by ferry. You can arrive in Carloforte either from Portovesme on the Sardinian mainland (40 minutes) or from Calasetta on the neighbouring island of Sant'Antioco (30 minutes).
Although there is a bus system in place on the island, a car is advantageous to allow easy exploration of the interior and coastline. One of the most popular destinations is Spiaggia La Caletta with its display of bright blue shades of water and volcanic rocks waiting to be explored.
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Province: South Sardinia
Region: Sardinia Population: 6,151 Size: 51 km² Highlights: Carloforte, Spiaggia La Caletta Recommended accommodation: Lu' Hotel Riviera Arrival port: Carloforte
Journey time from Sardinian mainland: 40 minutes (Portovesme) Distance from nearest Sardinian mainland port: 12 km |
Arrive by: Ferry
Arrive from: Portovesme, Calasetta (Sant'Antioco) Best airport: Cagliari Elmas Airport (83 km) |
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