Cagliari Shore Excursion: Archaeological Nuraghe and Nora Tour

Pula, IT
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Highlights

  • Exclusive guided visit to the ancient ruins of Nora
  • Discover the hidden gem town of Pula
  • Explore the archaeological site of Nuraghe Sa Domu 'e s'Orcu
  • Learn about the rich history of the Phoenician city of Nora
  • Immerse yourself in a world rich in history and tradition

Meeting Point

The shuttle will let you near the parking lot, our guide will be waiting outside the gate.

Meeting point

Cagliari, Metropolitan City of Cagliari , Italy

End point

End Point

The shuttle will let you near the parking lot, our guide will be waiting outside the gate.

Meeting point

Cagliari, Metropolitan City of Cagliari , Italy

End point

What to expect

1

Area Archeologica di Nora

History is alive and in abundance on the island of Sardinia. This tour is your opportunity to visit some of what remains of a civilization that is approximately 3,000 years old! Enjoy an exclusive guided visit to the Phoenician city of Nora and the hidden gem town of Pula. Your guide will meet you at the Passenger's Terminal at your Cagliari cruise port for a picturesque 40-minute drive to the ancient ruins of Nora, the first Phoenician city of Sardinia! For approximately 2 hours, your friendly and knowledgeable guide will share the rich history of this site that may eventually be inaccessible. The southern part of Sardinia is sinking into the Mediterranean Sea, which has resulted in a significant portion of the former town now being submerged. Nora was a Roman and pre-Roman town dating back to the time of the Phoenicians. Whether fact or a bit of fiction, the founding of the town is bathed in colorful history. Pausanias, who was a geographer in the 2nd century, outlines in his work Description of Greece, that the Iberians founded Nora when they crossed Sardinia under the leadership of Norax, an ancient mythical hero. The tradition says that Nora was the first city on the island. As you enter the archeological zone, you will see what remains of the thermal baths. Walk along the cobbled street to the heart of this open-air museum - Piazza del Foro. Here you will see the ruins of the Temple of Tanit - a Carthaginian goddess. The archeological zone was revealed in 1889 following a storm that uncovered the Phoenician Tophet, a kind of cemetery for children. And hence the excavations began. An aqueduct and necropolis are found on the site, as are the remains of a nobleman's house dating back to the third century. The rooms of the house are lined with stunning mosaics. Your guided visit to Nora will be approximately 2 hours. The main attraction of Nora is the theater, the only one in Sardinia. In its day, it was lined with marble and could seat 1,000 people on its 20 terraces. The magnificent structure still today is host to the La Notte dei Poeti festival! Please note that during the celebrations, the theater is covered to protect the ruins. Despite all that you will see, much of Nora remains unexcavated! Looking out across the golden sands of the beach and the crystal waters of the Mediterranean, you can likely take yourself back to the forgotten past of this ancient urban trading center and imagine what it must have been!

Duration 120 minutes
Admission Admission Included
2

Nuraghe Sa Domu 'e s'Orcu

Sa Domu 'e s'Orcu "Ogre's House" in the native Campidanese language, was a settlement build in the 15th century BCE and was inhabited up until the 6th century. Nuraghe is a type of megalithic tower-like structure. You will have approximately 1 hour to explore the archaeological site. Although the real function of this nuraghe is still not known, it could have been any number of things, including a fortress, a religious place, a refuge. Throughout your experience, your guide will be with you to share information about the sites you visit.

Duration 30 minutes

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    Specialized infant seats are available
  • Additional information
    Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Additional information
    Not recommended for participants with spinal injuries
  • Additional information
    Not recommended for participants with poor cardiovascular health
  • Additional information
    Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Additional information
    Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Additional information
    At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
  • Additional information
    Due to availability, please be aware that for groups of more than 8 participants vehicles used in the excursions may be different from description and vary at the management's discretion.
  • Additional information
    The excursion will not be cancelled and refunds will not be issued because it rains
  • Additional information
    If the tour starts late or encounters delays, for any reason, we will shorten the tour to return our guest to the cruise port by the scheduled time. There are no critical portions of the tour operated by third parties which could result in the inability to return to port on time.
Provided by Bitan Daily Tours

What our experts say

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    Try local seafood at Pula restaurants
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    Visit the nearby beautiful beaches
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    Bring a camera for stunning views
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    Wear comfortable shoes for walking
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    Check local timings for the theater

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