Souvenirs
Sardinian honey
The assortment in the souvenir shops is extremely varied.
In the meantime, however, much of what bears the label “Sardegna” is manufactured in the Far East and floods the market.
So if you would like to support the island’s economy a little with your souvenirs, you should take a close look at the individual products before buying.
There are enough typical Sardinian products that are really produced on the island so that there is actually something for every taste.
My tip: Don’t just look around in the souvenir shops, but also in the wine shops, at markets and especially at the festivals that take place everywhere in Sardinia.
As a gift for friends and relatives, the wines, liqueurs and cheeses, for example, are very good. A Cannonau, Vermentino, Mirto or a real Pecorino Sardo are only available at home in a few shops.
For the lovers of sweets, there are Sospiri or Sardinian honey in the most diverse varieties.
All these products are also available in smaller sizes and can survive a journey home lasting several days.
Sardinian shepherd’s knives
Sardinian shepherd’s knives are very popular with (especially male) tourists.
The blades are very slim and extremely sharp. Almost exclusively folding knives are made, whose blades cannot be fixed. The most famous knives come from Pattada, but there are also traditional manufacturers (with sales) in Arbus, Gavoi and Santu Lussurgiu.
The handles used to be made from mouflon horn. Since the animals have been protected, cow or ram horn and olive wood are used.
Prices vary depending on the size and materials used. Simple small knives are available from about 20 EUR, high-quality blades can cost several hundred euros.
For the journey home by plane, never pack the knife in your hand luggage, otherwise it will be left behind at the security check in Sardinia.
In some places in Sardinia, traditional wooden products are made. Famous are the carnival masks from the Barbagia and the boxes made of chestnut or oak wood.
The large trousseau chests might be too bulky for most tourists.
Typical goldsmith’s work
For the ladies, a visit to a gioielleria is worthwhile.
Especially for the local clientele, many pieces of jewellery are lovingly made according to age-old traditional patterns.
These often very finely crafted pieces of jewellery are relatively expensive, but in return you have something very special.
In my opinion, you should stay away from jewellery made of coral. The natural resources off the coasts of Sardinia are highly endangered, so coral divers have to follow very strict rules. Therefore, a lot is imported from Asia and endangers the nature there.
You can buy old craft traditions in the form of ceramics, woven carpets and wickerwork and basketry. The souvenir shops offer a wide range of products. If you pay close attention to the signs on the roadside, you can often buy the products directly from the workshop where they are made.
In some places (e.g. Castelsardo or Bosa), weaving and braiding women sit in front of their houses and are of course happy to welcome interested customers.
Handbags made from cork
Another typical product is cork. Sardinia is the largest cork producer in Italy.
In the shops, one is amazed at the inventiveness of the manufacturers and what can be made from cork.
Most people will classify a lot of it as trash, but there are also really high-quality products.
Particularly fascinating are products made of wafer-thin cork, which is given an almost textile or leather-like structure through special processing. They are used to make purses, handbags and even clothes.
It is very tempting for many to look for beautiful stones on the beaches as souvenirs or to take sand in the most diverse colours with them.
However, taking sand, stones, shells, etc. is now strictly prohibited. There are heavy fines and there are always reports of caught and convicted tourists.