Alghero Animal Refuge Visit with Vegetarian Lunch or Dinner in a Traditional Pinnetto
Step into a place where rescued animals roam free and the table brings people together over honest, local food.
A few kilometres from the coast, near Olmedo in north-west Sardinia, this animal refuge experience near Alghero offers a rare combination of guided sanctuary discovery and a shared vegetarian meal prepared from ingredients sourced directly from small local producers.
Alice, the refuge founder, left Rome to build something rare in Sardinia: a living space shared by more than 150 rescued animals, each with a story of survival. Goats saved from slaughter, abandoned dogs, and animals once exploited now live side by side in an environment shaped entirely around their freedom and wellbeing.
After exploring the refuge and meeting its residents, guests gather around a table inside a traditional pinnetto, the low stone shepherd's dwelling that has defined rural Sardinian life for centuries. The meal is unhurried, the atmosphere is genuine, and the ingredients reflect the honest character of the territory.
Highlights
Meet more than 150 rescued animals, each with a story shared by the refuge owner herself.
Explore a working sanctuary set in the quiet countryside just outside Alghero in north-west Sardinia.
Sit down to a full vegetarian lunch or dinner built around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
Dine inside a traditional pinnetto, the historic Sardinian shepherd's stone dwelling.
Hear Alice's personal story of leaving city life to dedicate herself to animal rescue and sustainable living.
Ingredients are supplied by small local producers, keeping the food both fresh and tied to the land.
How the Experience Unfolds
Guests arrive at the sanctuary near Olmedo, just a short drive from Alghero. Alice welcomes the group and introduces the philosophy behind the refuge.
Over roughly one hour and fifteen minutes, Alice leads a walk through the refuge, introducing each animal and recounting how it came to find a home here. Visitors are encouraged to interact calmly with the animals in their natural environment.
Guests move to the traditional pinnetto, a stone shepherd's hut that serves as the dining space. The rustic interior sets the tone for a relaxed, convivial meal.
The meal lasts approximately two hours and follows a set menu. Adults receive hummus with seasonal produce and cereal bread, vegetarian lasagna, a vegetable flan with refuge potatoes and peas, caramel panna cotta, and water. Children receive pasta with sauce and water.
The meal closes with open conversation about the refuge, its animals, and Alice's journey. Guests leave at their own pace once the table is cleared.
What Is Included and Excluded
Included
- Guided tour of the animal refuge with Alice
- Full vegetarian lunch or dinner (adults and children menus)
- Water included with the meal
- Use of the traditional pinnetto dining space
- All ingredients sourced from local small producers
Not Included
- Transport to and from the refuge
- Additional beverages beyond water
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities
Important Information
Reserve Your Place at the Refuge
This experience runs on selected dates and group sizes are kept intentionally small to ensure a personal visit. Secure your spot to avoid missing out on one of Sardinia's most distinctive animal and food encounters.
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