Sassari
Sardinia's second-largest city, with old-town palazzi, the Fountain of the Rosello and the 14 August Candelieri procession.
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Sassari is Sardinia's second-largest city and the capital of the Sassari metropolitan city in the northwest of the island. It sits about 225 meters above sea level on a limestone plateau that slopes down toward the Gulf of Asinara and the Nurra plain. Visitors come for the old town's palazzi, the Fountain of the Rosello, built by Genoese craftsmen between 1585 and 1606, and the neoclassical Teatro Civico. Alghero-Fertilia airport lies about 25 km from the center, so the city works well as a base for the northwest.
The Cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari dates from the 13th century. Each 14 August, the Faradda di li candareri procession carries huge wooden candles from guild members to Santa Maria di Betlem, a UNESCO-listed event since 2013. Nuragic sites and the Monte d'Accoddi megalithic step-pyramid lie in the wider area. Summers are hot and dry, so spring and early autumn are easier for walking the streets.
Sassari in five
- Use Sassari as a city base, not a beach stopThe nearest sand is a bus or train ride away, so Sassari suits a night or two of squares, museums and food before the coast. If beaches are the point, sleep in Alghero instead.Alghero
- Fly into Alghero and train inAlghero airport (AHO) is the closest and links to Sassari by bus and by train from Alghero town. Olbia is farther but has more flights; check which airline serves your origin.Olbia
- Time a visit for the Candelieri on 14 AugustThe Faradda dei Candelieri carries giant wooden columns through the city on 14 August each year. Rooms fill, so book early, and check the city's official page for the route and times.
- Walk the old town before the afternoon heatThe cathedral of San Nicola, Piazza Italia and the Rosello fountain sit within a short walk. Many shops close for a long midday break, so see the sights in the morning and eat late.
- Take the train to Porto Torres or AlgheroRegional trains run on a slow single-track network, so check the day's timetable at the station or on the national rail site before planning a return.Italy by train
Things to do in Sassari
See all attractions in Sassari
Need to know
- Airport
- Alghero–Fertilia (AHO), about 30 km; Olbia (OLB) is farther
- Getting there
- Train or bus from Alghero, Porto Torres or Olbia; ferries dock at Porto Torres
- Getting around
- Walking in the old town; buses and slow regional trains beyond
- Best base
- Near Piazza Italia, within walking distance of the old town
- Time needed
- 1 night, or a day on the way to the coast
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Almond blossomFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Almond blossom
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Spring walksMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring walks
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Easter, mildAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Easter, mild
- MayClear9 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Cavalcata SardaMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cavalcata Sarda
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Warm, beachesJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, beaches
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Hot, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Candelieri, hotAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Candelieri, hot
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Warm, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Mild, quieterOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Rain, coolerNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cooler
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
Average daily high and low in Sassari, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Sassari
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Sassari
11:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°6°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue18°9°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed20°11°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu19°12°25%Thursday: Rain. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri20°11°19%Friday: Rain. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 19%.
- Sat18°10°13%Saturday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sun21°13°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 10:35 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 30 to 40 min by train or busA walled port on the coast with beaches and cliffs nearby.Read the guide
- Bosaabout 1.5 hours by carA river town of pastel houses and a hilltop castle on the west coast.Read the guide
- Castelsardoabout 45 min by carA hilltop fortress town on the north coast with a basketry tradition.
Before you go to Sassari
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Rules for Sassari, checked
- EU citizens can enter Italy with a valid national ID card or passport. Other nationalities should check visa rules on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (esteri.it) before booking.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Travelers from outside the EU may bring only limited amounts of meat and dairy into Italy. Check the rules on the Agenzia delle Dogane website before you pack food.
- Tipping is not required. Some bills add a coperto (cover charge) or service charge, so check the bill before you leave a tip.
Plan around Sassari
Regions, entry rules and trip planning
Read the guideSardiniaThe whole island: coasts, towns and getting around
Read the guideAlgheroCatalan-style walled port, 40 minutes away by train
Read the guideBosaColorful river town on the west coast
Read the guideBest time to visit ItalySeasons, crowds and shoulder months
Read the guideTourist taxes in EuropeWhat your hotel adds at checkout
Read the guideSassari FAQ
Is Sassari worth visiting?
For a night, yes: the old town, the cathedral and the food are good, and it has fewer tourists than the coast. It is not a beach destination, so most visitors pair it with Alghero or the north coast.
How far is Sassari from Alghero?
About 30 km. Trains and buses take roughly 30 to 45 minutes, and the airport sits between the two. Check timetables, since rural services are thin on Sundays.
Is Sassari or Alghero better to stay in?
Alghero for beaches, walls and sunsets; Sassari for a cheaper city base with a local feel. Many visitors sleep in Alghero and visit Sassari for half a day.
Do you need a car in Sassari?
Not in the city, but a car helps for coves, Castelsardo and the west coast. Parking in the old town is limited, so leave the car outside the center.
When is the Candelieri festival in Sassari?
On 14 August each year, when guilds carry wooden columns through the streets. Book rooms well ahead, and check the city's official page for the route.