Bosa Attractions

Built in 1112, at the time when the Malaspinas moved to Sardinia from Tuscany, there isn’t much of the original structure of the castle anymore – but the watchtowers and the walls are a nice sight, and so are the remains of the 14th century chapel, Nostra Signora di Regnos Altos, where you can admire a 14th century fresco of the lives of saints and martyrs such as St. Lawrence and St. Christopher.

The castle is open every day but opening times vary with the season, so you may want to call the number of the association managing the site to verify –  +39 340 395 5048 +39 329 850 507. There is a small fee to access.

Churches

For as small as it is, Bosa has a good concentration of beautiful churches and you should make sure to visit at least one. I can only name a few churches in this post, but if visiting churches is your kind of thing, make sure to do a bit extra research and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

The Cathedral of Bosa was built in the 19th century over the remains of a Romanesque church. In Rococo style, the most admirable piece inside is the marble altar and the frescoes painted in the 19th century by Emilio Scherer.

Another nice church to visit is the one dedicate to Sant’Antonio the abbot. It’s located on the southern bank of Temo River, once you cross Ponte Vecchio. The church is rarely open – you can visit during Sant’Antonio Abate festival on 16 and 17 January and during Carnival. Unless you are in Bosa on one of those days, you will have to make do with taking a quick snap from the outside.

Finally, at about 2 km outside the village and walking upstream you will find San Pietro Extra Muros church. This cathedral was built in 1073 and is among the oldest Romanesque style churches on the island.

Museums

Bosa has a couple of good museums you may want to visit. I am pointing out their opening times but do make sure to double check that they are open if you are visiting in the winter months. You may want to call these numbers for more information  +39 785 374 258 or +39 348 154 4724. There should always be someone able to speak at least some basic English.

The best one if by far Museo Casa Deriu, located in a 19th century building and with a collection of local crafts. Each floor focuses on a different historical period.

On the first floor you will find temporary exhibits. The second one is all about decor and contains original furnishing of Casa Deriu (the name of the building where the museum is located); the third floor is an art gallery and exhibit of paintings of Melkiorre Melis, one of Sardinia’s most acclaimed painters.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Admission includes a ticket to visit Pinacoteca Atza.

Another interesting museum in Bosa is the Museo delle Conce. It is located in the former tanneries (which were used until WWII) and it is meant to provide insights on how the tanneries work. You will see original stone tanks used to wash the leather and a photo exhibit illustrating the tanning process.

The museum is every day from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. There is a small admission fee.

Festivals

Bosa is home to some very interesting festivals – the biggest one being Carnival. If you happen to be in Sardinia during one of them make sure to attend – these festivals are mostly for locals and (at most) for local tourists, so you can get a real experience away from the main tourism circuit.

Carnival is very much celebrated in Sardinia. From celebrations such as the Sartiglia in Oristano to those of Mamoiada, visit Sardinia during that time and you will have a great choice of events.

Bosa Carnival is quite big, but not nearly as touristy as that of other places (such as Mamoiada). Is starts with the burning of a pyre right in front of Sant’Antonio Abate church. The parades culminate in the celebrations of martedì grasso (Shrove Tuesday).

That’s when people dressed in black will walk around pretending to cry for the end of the Carnival. On the same day, in the evening, people dressed in white will hunt the giolzi – a manifestation of the carnival thought to hide in people’s groin. I won’t spoil it for you and won’t tell you how the giolzi are caught.

Another interesting festival, this time taking place in the first week of August, is Santa Maria del Mare. That’s when a procession of boats takes the statue of the Virgin Mary from Bosa Marina all the way to the Cathedral, amidst fireworks, traditional dances and songs. It’s hardly known to tourists, so quite a treat to experience it.

Finally, if you happen to be in Bosa during the spring, you may want to attend Bosa Beer Fest to try various kinds of Sardinian craft beer.

Local specialties

Bosa is famous for the production of Malvasia, a dessert wine. You can easily get it in one of the many bars in town, but I recommend going to one of the local vineyards for a tasting tour and to discover how it is made – just enquire at your hotel for the best place to do that.

Temo River

Temo River is the only navigable river in Sardinia. A boat trip along the Temo usually starts from the estuary situated in Bosa Marina and reaches San Pietro Church and the remains of the Roman Bridge (where Bosa Vetus, the Roman city, used to be) after about 6 km. You will get to see Bosa from a different perspective; admire the old tanneries; the 19th century buildings surmounted by the Medieval district and the Malaspina castle.

Boat tours along the coast typically start in Bosa Marina and from there reach Capo Marrargiu, where you can visit a small cave. Along the way, you can see several small coves such as Cala rapina, Cala ‘e Moros, S’Abba Druche, Torre Argentina, Tentizzos. You will be able to swim at Porto Managu and Cumpoltittu.

Cane Malu

Cane Malu deserves a separate mention as it is not a beach proper. This natural pool has been carved in the white trachyte rock that is found in the area of Bosa, and can only be reached on foot. You will need rock sandals to get there, as it can be slippery. I recommend wearing them to also get in the water, as there may be sea urchins.

Hiking

Speaking of walking and trails, if hiking is your thing you will find a choice of hikes and birdwatching opportunities in Bosa. Capo Marrargiu Bio-marine Park and the Nature Reserve of Badde Aggiosu, Marrargiu and Monte Mannu are the best places for that.

One of the nicest hikes is the one going to Managu Beach – which is the result of a volcanic eruption. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Capo Caccia in Alghero!

Another nice hike is the one to Torre Argentina. You have to start walking from the parking lot located on the left side along Provincial Road 49 (the one connecting Bosa to Alghero). The trail is easy to follow and you will go along some unique and ancient volcanic formations to get to a watchtower from where you can enjoy splendid views.

Nuraghe

Sardinia is a land of nuraghe, unique archeological sites mostly dating to Bronze Age you won’t find anywhere else. There are a few nice ones you can visit at a short distance from Bosa. Nuraghe Santa Cristina is a single tower construction of about 7 meters located close to State Road 131 on the way to Bosa, beautifully immersed in an olive grove. There you will be able to see a well preserved well temple accessible through 24 steps.

Another easily reached nuraghe is Losa, which dates back to around 1500 BC and has a central tower of about 13 meters.

Cuglieri

One of the nicest small towns you can visit from Bosa is Cuglieri. The complete lack of tourists, the location on the hills at 500 meters above sea level, the view of it you get along the drive from Bosa make it a really scenic place. The main sight is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Neve. Don’t miss the views of the sea from the village itself.