Bosa
Bosa is a riverside town on Sardinia's west coast, with a Malaspina castle on the hill above and old tanneries along the Temo River.
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Bosa is a small town on Sardinia's west coast, about 3 km inland on the north bank of the Temo River, in the province of Oristano. It is the only town on the island built on a river's banks, and its historic center rises on a small hill above the valley. People settled here in prehistoric times, and under the Romans Bosa was a municipium. As a medieval port it drew foreign merchants, until its harbor silted up after the 1520s. Italy lists it among its most beautiful villages.
The river and the leather trade shaped the town. The old tanneries stand on the Temo's left bank near the Ponte Vecchio, a three-arched red bridge built in 1871, and the Tanneries Museum now occupies the working buildings. Malaspina Castle crowns the hill above the old quarter, and seven of its towers survive. The nearest airport is Alghero-Fertilia, and a coastal road links Bosa with Alghero. July and August are the hottest months, and most rain falls from late autumn through winter.
Bosa in five
- Drive the coast road from AlgheroThe road along the cliffs between Alghero and Bosa has big views and tight bends. Allow a half day with stops, and avoid it in poor light or bad weather.Alghero
- Climb to Malaspina Castle for the viewThe path from the old quarter takes about 20 minutes uphill. Check opening hours and the entry fee on the castle's own page, and go in the evening light for the best view.
- Stay in the old town, not at the beachBosa Marina is a separate beach strip a few kilometers away. The old town has the river, lanes and restaurants, so choose it for evenings and the marina for beach days.
- Check bus times if you are not drivingRegional buses reach Bosa from Alghero and Oristano, but they run less often on Sundays and in winter. Check the timetable before you plan a day trip.Oristano
Things to do in Bosa
See all attractions in Bosa
Need to know
- Airport
- Alghero (AHO), about 1 hour by car
- Getting there
- Car via the coast road; regional bus from Alghero
- Getting around
- On foot; car for the beach and hills
- Best base
- The old town by the river
- Time needed
- A day trip or 1 to 2 nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Mild, springMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Spring, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, green
- MayClear8 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Warm, quietMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Beach seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low22°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Peak crowds, hotAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak crowds, hot
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Mild, quietOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Rain, coolNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cool
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Quiet, mildDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, mild
Average daily high and low in Bosa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bosa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 65%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Bosa
10:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°9°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue18°11°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed21°13°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu21°14°30%Thursday: Rain. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Fri19°14°25%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sat19°13°18%Saturday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sun22°12°11%Sunday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 11%.
Updated 10:38 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jan–FebCarnival of MamoiadaSardinia, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Algheroabout 1 hour by carA walled port with beaches and Neptune's Grotto.Read the guide
- Oristanoabout 1 hour by carA west-coast base for the Sinis peninsula.Read the guide
- Montiferru villagesabout 30 to 45 min by carHill villages and olive groves inland.
Before you go to Bosa
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Rules for Bosa, checked
- Non-EU visitors may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Check with the Italian Ministry of Culture before you buy antiques, since some cultural objects need an export licence to leave the EU.
- Dress modestly for churches, including the castle church of Nostra Signora de Sos Regnos Altos.
Plan around Bosa
Regions, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideAlgheroThe northwest gateway and airport
Read the guideOristanoSinis peninsula and the Tharros ruins
Read the guideCala GononeCliffs and coves on the east coast
Read the guideBest time to visit ItalyBeach season and quieter months
Read the guideTourist taxes in EuropePer-night taxes at Italian hotels
Read the guideBosa FAQ
Is Bosa worth visiting?
Yes, for the river, the pastel houses and the castle. It is small, so it works best as a half day or an overnight stop on a Sardinia road trip.
Can you visit Bosa as a day trip from Alghero?
Yes, about an hour each way by car on the coast road. Leave early, and allow time for photo stops along the way.
Is Bosa good for beaches?
Bosa Marina has a long beach a few kilometers from the old town. The wider coast has quieter coves, usually reached by car.
How many days do you need in Bosa?
A day covers the town and the castle. Stay one night if you want a slower evening by the river and a beach morning.
How do you get to Bosa without a car?
By regional bus from Alghero or Oristano. Services are less frequent on Sundays, so check the timetable and plan a return.