Sardinia has launched a €38 million plan to revitalise some of its most fragile communities, injecting much-needed funds into villages on the brink of depopulation while showcasing the island’s lesser-known interior.
At the heart of the initiative lies a new campaign that promotes village life, a slower pace of living and lesser-known destinations. As part of the Tourism in the Villages memorandum of understanding, funding will be allocated to 15 Sardinian villages to help combat depopulation and attract new residents and tourists.
Signed by Franco Cuccureddu, Sardinia’s Regional Councillor for Tourism, Crafts and Commerce, alongside the mayors of the selected municipalities, the agreement aims to position the island within the growing market for village and experiential tourism. As Cuccureddu put it, the goal is for Sardinia to “fully enter and position itself in the village tourism market, which is a rapidly growing market in Europe and, I would say, globally”.
The 15 selected villages span the island, from the coastal charm of Bosa to the medieval streets of Castelsardo. The others are Aggius, Atzara, Carloforte, Galtellì, Gavoi, Laconi, La Maddalena, Lollove (Nuoro), Oliena, Posada, Sadali, Sardara and Tempio Pausania. Each will receive €2.5 million.
The strategy rests on two pillars. The first is decentralisation, which involves easing the pressure on Sardinia’s coastal hotspots, where around 80% of tourists are concentrated, and redistributing visitors more evenly across the territory. The second pillar is seasonality, with a clear push to extend the tourist season beyond the summer months.
Specific measures include improving access to historic centres, upgrading mobility infrastructure, strengthening small-scale hospitality and developing hiking routes and walking networks. The plan also prioritises local food and wine initiatives and the promotion of regional products to encourage job creation and new residents to settle in these areas.
It also paves the way for closer collaboration between local authorities, cultural districts, and tourism operators, encouraging the development of more coherent itineraries that incorporate heritage, landscapes, and gastronomy.
The initiative’s backdrop is striking. Sardinia’s coastline stretches for around 2,000 kilometres, and the island has approximately one million properties, around a third of which are currently unoccupied.
However, the situation varies significantly from one location to another, with some villages having 50–60% of abandoned or “occasional homes”. Urban centres such as Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero have higher occupancy rates, whereas more exclusive areas, including Arzachena, La Maddalena, Palau and Santa Teresa Gallura, have a greater proportion of empty properties.
Short-term rentals, in both popular destinations and rural villages, represent just 3.5% of the housing stock, which is below regional and national averages.
Visitors drawn to Sardinia’s more untouched landscapes should also be aware that preservation comes with limits. Visitors to the island’s famous pink beaches should be aware that entering protected areas such as Spiaggia Rosa can result in fines of up to €3,500.
Located within the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, the beach is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Its distinctive colour comes from fragments of coral and microorganisms – a fragile ecosystem that the authorities are keen to protect, even as they encourage travellers to explore the wider island.
