Self-Guided Archaeological Tour — Santa Teresa Gallura, Sardinia
Lu Brandali and Longonsardo Tower: A Journey Through Sardinian History
From nuragic giants to Spanish fortifications — three millennia of history at the northernmost tip of Sardinia.
This self-guided circuit in Santa Teresa Gallura archaeological tour takes you through three distinct layers of Sardinian civilization, from a 3,000-year-old nuragic village to a commanding 16th-century Spanish coastal tower. The experience is designed for independent travelers who want depth and flexibility in equal measure. No guide is required — multilingual audio, tactile, and written materials support the visit at every stop.
The route begins at the Lu Brandali multimedia exhibition, where original artifacts from recent excavations are displayed alongside immersive 3-D viewers and audio-tactile devices. The exhibition is fully translated into Braille and supported by written explanations in four languages, making it one of the most accessible archaeology experiences on the island. Visitors who are blind or visually impaired can engage with reconstructions of the giants' tomb and nuragic village through dedicated sensory installations.
From the exhibition, a short nature and cultural trail leads through a landscape of ancient olive trees and mastic shrubs to the open-air archaeological site itself. The path frames the giants' tomb and the remains of the nuragic village in their natural setting before arriving at the site's fortification tower. The final stop, the Longonsardo Tower, stands at the edge of Santa Teresa Gallura and offers a vivid close of the historical arc from prehistory to the early modern period.
Tour Highlights
Explore the multimedia exhibition Lu Brandali: Read Touch and Listen, housing original artifacts from recent excavations.
Experience immersive 3-D viewers that reconstruct the 3,000-year-old giants' tomb and nuragic village in full detail.
Engage with audio-tactile devices specifically designed for blind and visually impaired visitors.
Walk a scenic nature and cultural trail through olive and mastic trees to reach the open-air archaeological site.
Download a multilingual audio guide via QR code on arrival — available in Italian, English, French, Spanish, German and Russian.
Visit the 16th-century Longonsardo Tower, a well-preserved monument from the Spanish era overlooking the town.
Benefit from full Braille translations and sensory installations that make this one of Sardinia's most inclusive heritage sites.
Itinerary
1
Lu Brandali Multimedia Exhibition
Begin your visit inside the archaeology exhibition, which displays original artifacts recovered during the most recent two years of excavations at the site. Written explanations in Italian, English, French and Spanish support your exploration, while Braille translations ensure full accessibility. Immersive 3-D viewers allow you to experience reconstructions of the giants' tomb and the nuragic village without leaving the exhibition space.
2
Audio Guide and QR Code Setup
Before stepping onto the archaeological trail, scan the QR code at the entrance to download the audio guide to your smartphone. The guide is available in Italian, English, French, Spanish, German and Russian. Earphones compatible with all smartphones are provided on loan and must be returned at the end of your visit — a valid ID is required as a deposit.
3
Lu Brandali Archaeological Site and Nature Trail
Follow the cultural trail through a landscape of olive trees and mastic shrubs that frames the ruins of the nuragic village and the giants' tomb. The open-air site reveals the layout of a community that flourished here more than three thousand years ago. A fortification tower at the end of the trail marks the transition between the prehistoric and historical periods of the site.
4
Longonsardo Tower
Make your way independently to Viale Bechi, around 500 to 800 meters from the center of Santa Teresa Gallura, to reach the Longonsardo Tower. This 16th-century Spanish coastal fortification stands as a landmark of the town and offers a brochure available in Italian, English, French, German and Spanish. The tower closes at midday and reopens in the afternoon, so plan your timing accordingly.
What Is Included and Excluded
Included
Entry to the Lu Brandali multimedia archaeology exhibition
Access to the Lu Brandali open-air archaeological site
Entry to the Longonsardo Tower
Loan of earphones compatible with all smartphones for the audio guide
Multilingual written materials and brochures at each site
Audio guide accessible via QR code in six languages
Braille translations at the exhibition
Not Included
Guide or live commentary at any of the three sites
Transportation between sites — own means required
Food and beverages (a food court is available on site at Lu Brandali)
Personal earbuds if you prefer not to use the provided earphones
Important Information
This is an unguided, self-directed experience. All materials — audio, written, and tactile — are provided at the sites to support independent exploration. A valid ID is required to borrow earphones and will be returned when they are handed back.
Duration
Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in total across all three sites. Lu Brandali site and exhibition open 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Longonsardo Tower open 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
Meeting Point
Start at Lu Brandali Archaeological Site on Provincial Road SP90 toward Capo Testa. The Longonsardo Tower is located at Viale Bechi, approximately 300 meters from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele I in Santa Teresa Gallura.
What to Bring
Bring a valid ID to use the provided earphones. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the outdoor nature trail. Personal earbuds may be used as an alternative to the loaned earphones.
Cancellation
Please refer to the booking platform for the applicable cancellation policy for this experience.
Accessibility
The exhibition includes audio-tactile devices and full Braille translations, making it accessible for blind and visually impaired visitors. The outdoor trail involves natural terrain; contact the site in advance to confirm specific mobility requirements.
Age Range
Suitable for all ages. The sensory and multimedia elements make this experience particularly engaging for children and young visitors with an interest in history and archaeology.
Ready to Explore Three Thousand Years of Sardinian History?
Secure your tickets to the Lu Brandali archaeological sites and the Longonsardo Tower and set your own pace through one of Sardinia's most complete heritage experiences.
No, this is a fully self-guided experience. Written explanations, multilingual brochures, audio guides via QR code, and audio-tactile devices are available at each site to support independent exploration.
In which languages is the audio guide available?▼
The audio guide for the Lu Brandali archaeological site is available in Italian, English, French, Spanish, German and Russian. The tower brochure is available in Italian, English, French, German and Spanish.
Do I need to bring earphones?▼
Earphones compatible with all smartphones are provided on loan at the site. A valid ID is required as a deposit and will be returned when the earphones are handed back. You may also use your own personal earbuds.
How do I get between the sites?▼
Transportation between sites is not included. The Lu Brandali site is on Provincial Road SP90 in the direction of Capo Testa, and the Longonsardo Tower is at Viale Bechi, both within 500 to 800 meters of the center of Santa Teresa Gallura.
Is the experience accessible for visitors with visual impairments?▼
Yes. The Lu Brandali exhibition features audio-tactile devices and full Braille translations specifically designed for blind and visually impaired visitors. The 3-D viewers also provide an immersive experience of the reconstructed nuragic monuments.
Are there facilities at the archaeological site?▼
Yes. The Lu Brandali site has a small food court, restrooms, a book shop and an outdoor picnic area available to visitors.
Santa Teresa Gallura is located at the northernmost tip of Sardinia, in the Gallura region of the province of Sassari. Positioned directly across from Corsica, it is one of the island's most strategically significant coastal towns. The Lu Brandali archaeological site lies on Provincial Road SP90 toward Capo Testa, while the Longonsardo Tower stands within walking distance of the town center at Viale Bechi. The area is part of the Costa Smeralda tourism corridor and is well connected by ferry routes from Bonifacio in Corsica. The landscape is characterized by granite outcrops, Mediterranean scrubland and a deeply layered historical record stretching from the Bronze Age through the early modern period.
Type: Self-Guided Archaeological Tour | Location: Santa Teresa Gallura, Gallura, Sardinia, Italy | Sites: Lu Brandali Archaeological Site, Lu Brandali Multimedia Exhibition, Longonsardo Tower | Period: Nuragic Bronze Age to 16th-Century Spanish Era | Difficulty: Easy | Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes | Accessibility: Braille, Audio-Tactile Devices, Multilingual Audio Guide | Languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian | Facilities: Food Court, Restrooms, Book Shop, Picnic Area | Suitable For: All Ages, Families, Accessible Tourism
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