Embark on a breathtaking experience with this ticket and tour of Porto Flavia. Soak up stunning views of the deep blue Masua sea and the surrounding Pan di Zucchero sea stacks as you uncover the secrets of this port which hangs between heaven and earth. Meet your guide and begin a journey back in time at this genuine engineering masterpiece which improved miners' lives and reduced mineral transportation times and costs. To fathom the scope of the revolution this port represents, hear how minerals were once loaded by hand on small sailing vessels (bilancelle) and brought to Carloforte port, from which large vessels distributed them all over the world, but when Porto Flavia was opened in 1924, everything changed.  Learn how minerals were transported by a narrow-gauge railway built inside the sea stacks and then loaded from the coaches into large moo tons silos (a system of conveyor belts, built in a tunnel under the silos) and transported the minerals directly into the holds of ships moored under the cliffs.

Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience in the deep south of Sardinia, discovering the blue sea of Buggerru and the Mines Coast! With an 8 meter rubber-boat you will visit the hidden pearls of the south west coast of the island with the company of an expert skipper who will guide you and tell you about the area.  You will be able to access all the caves and coves that can be visited only by sea, such as Faraglioni, Arco de Baci, Grotta del Forno (Su Forru), Grotta Sardegna and the splendid and unique Pan di Zucchero islet. Much more is waiting for you, with the possibility of practicing snorkeling and bathing in crystal clear waters, for a short but intense tour that will make you fill up with fun and relax! Swim stops are generally 2, of about 10 minutes each; one near Cala Domestica and one near Pan di Zucchero.  However, the itinerary may be modified according to sea or wind conditions and the skipper's decisions.

In the outskirts of Iglesias You'll find the impressive complex of Monteponi mine and Villamarina gallery, (State Road No.126). The original plan has left a few industrial buildings of historical and architectural interest. Galleria Villamarina (at 174 m a.s.l.) was dedicated to the vice-king of Sardinia and has got two entrances. It connects the two main shafts of Monteponi mine: Pozzo Vittorio Emanuele (1863), used to transfer miners and minerals, and Pozzo Sella (1874), once hosting large dewatering pumps.

Depart from the Port of Cagliari, one of the largest seaports in the Mediterranean, and travel to Iglesias, on the southwest coast of Sardinia. Once we reach the beach of Masua, you will meet your English guide on the boat. Relax and enjoy this fantastic 2 hours boat tour to visit the west coast; you will discover many caves on the way, admire the Sardinian Sugar Loaf, and also swim in amazing crystal water. On lucky days, it's possible to enjoy the dolphins and be in touch with them than in their natural habitat. Visit gorgeous beaches and secret places only reach by boat. The impressive, white, calcareous cliffs surrounding the beaches make it feel like you're in the corner of paradise, where uncontaminated nature rules. The seabed is low and sandy, with a few rocks out to sea near the promontories. Depart from the Port of Cagliari, one of the largest seaports in the Mediterranean, and travel to Iglesias, on the southwest coast of Sardinia. Board the boat with your expert local guide and enjoy a 2-hour boat tour of the island's west coast.  Discover sea caves and admire the Sugar Loaf, an island famous for glowing in the sunlight. Swim in the crystal clear water and, if you're lucky, swim with curious dolphins who like to play close to the boat. Visit beautiful enclosed beaches and coves that can only be reached from the sea. View a wide range of stunning aquatic life as you pass close to the shore.

The area surrounding Iglesias was already inhabited in Prehistory. It appears that in Roman times many people from outside Sardinia would regularly visit the island, especially because of its silver mines. Some official sources mention Metalla, the lost city, which was perhaps situated at the border between Iglesias and Fluminimaggiore. During the Middle Ages, under Pisa’s domination, Villae Ecclesiae grew to be one of the largest, most important, and most populated towns. That was when Iglesias flourished thanks to the strong boost in the extraction of lead and silver. Later, during the Spanish domination, the mining activity developed further, and Iglesias took on its current appearance. The tour of the old town and the visits to the museums will allow you to grasp the history of the town in full.

By visiting “Giorgio Asproni” Mining Institute you'll have access to two museums. In the ground floor there is the museum that houses some scale model reproductions, newspaper articles about life in the mines and an important collection of vintage pictures. The museum also contains various types of machinery for the different phases of excavation, drilling and transport, as well as a reconstruction of a mechanical workshop and modern machinery. In the first floor there is the mining museums. It has two rooms with about 3000 items, constituting one of the most complete and valuable collections in the sector. The first room has samples from all over the world, including some striking original samples from the Paris basin. The display cases are also fascinating, with grotesque and arabesque carvings and herms, fully embodying the aesthetic of functionality combined with Liberty elegance.

A fascinating and wild path that develops along the coast of Nebida, a mining hamlet of Iglesias in the south west of Sardinia. Characterized by the presence of five sea stacks, it will immerse you not only in nature but also in the history of the island. One of these is the important and iconic Pan di Zucchero, recognized as a natural monument. The path that winds between coves and scenic spots, offers a range of strong contrasting colors, deriving from the Mediterranean scrub grown on a geological background among the oldest, dating back to 570 million years ago. The numerous remains of the extractive plants allow the guide who will accompany you to tell you the story of the mining archeology that fueled the local culture. Among the major points of interest visible along the way, Laveria Lamarmora and Porto Flavia stand out but they will not be the only ones to leave you speechless during this excursion! Itinerary The route, to be covered at a slow pace of about 4 hours of walking with short breaks if necessary, involves the passage on coastal areas sometimes exposed therefore not indicated on rainy days and to those suffering from vertigo. The difference in height develops throughout the hike with a continuous ups and downs that allows you to move from one cove to another allowing in the warmer periods opportunities for a quick bath during or at the end of the walk. Technical data for the trekking: Lenght of the tour: 11,3 km Difference in height: 380 m Difficulty: Hiking (E) Points of interest: - Rock Layers among the oldest in Europe: Puddinga, Schisti, Calcari, Sandstone - The mining village Laveria Carroccia, Laveria Lamarmora and Porto Flavia - The coastal Mediterranean scrub: mastic, cistus, euphorbia, olive, helichrysum - The coves of Portu Banda, Porto Ferro, Porto Corallo, Portu Cauli, Masua Beach and Bega Sa Canna Beach - The panorama of the Gulf of Leone Aperitif: There will be a small final aperitif with typical Sardinian products such as sausage, cheese and a glass of wine that may vary depending on the season

Get back to nature in the Sulcis region of southern Sardinia, and discover how a crew of miners worked in shifts to excavate the amazing Caves of Is Zuddas in record time. Located near the town of Santadi, the network of caves is a magical destination with a natural history that dates back more than 530 million years! Be amazed by the unspoiled nature of the Mediterranean. Then, go inside the caves to hear how drilling began 37 meters above sea level and continued to create reservoirs by making holes in the basalt rock. Learn how mechanical iron hatches were installed, along with an electric railway to carry ore to the waiting ships. Take an unforgettable journey through the history of Sardinia and the oldest rocks in Europe. Explore the traditions of the Sulcis and enjoy an optional meal at the best trattoria in the area. Benefit from the inside knowledge of your local guide, and hear interesting anecdotes such as how Porto Flavia got its name!