Oristano is a town of 29,888 inhabitants in the province of Oristano, in Sardinia, Italy. It is the capital of its province.
The municipality covers 84.63 km², with a density of 353 inhabitants per km².
The nearest airport is Cagliari (CAG), about 83 km away as the crow flies. Read our guide to the airport.
Things to see in Oristano
- The Sartiglia of OristanoCuriosities
The city of Eleonora and the Sartiglia
Oristano, on the west coast of Sardinia, was the capital of the medieval Giudicato of Arborea, whose judge Eleonora gave the island its famous code of laws, the Carta de Logu. It stands among lagoons rich in birds and fish.
What to see
Piazza Eleonora d'Arborea, with the statue of the judge, is the elegant centre. The Tower of Mariano II, a medieval gate, and the cathedral with its onion dome recall the city's past. The Antiquarium Arborense displays finds from Tharros. During Carnival, the Sartiglia is one of the most spectacular horse festivals in the Mediterranean: masked riders gallop to spear a silver star.
Food
Bottarga of mullet from Cabras, the lagoon fish of the Sinis, mustazzolus biscuits and the Vernaccia di Oristano, an amber wine aged like sherry.
Around Oristano
The Sinis peninsula with the Phoenician-Roman city of Tharros and the quartz beaches of Is Arutas near Cabras, San Vero Milis, the Roman baths of Fordongianus, Santu Lussurgiu, Ghilarza and the colourful town of Bosa. Cagliari airport is about 1 hour 15 minutes away.
Oristano on the map
Nearby towns
Where to stay in and around Oristano
Tours and activities nearby
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