Choose Your Own Sardinia Adventure

Forbes

21-04-2025

A world of excitement awaits at Forte Village.
You can get from the northern tip of Sardinia down to the bottom, where capital city Cagliari sits, in about four hours. And while some of that stretch on the Italian island is a quiet bit filled with quaint houses on olive tree-flanked roads, there's enough adventure to fill a vacation itinerary — if you know where to look.
Forte Village is one of the reasons we can say that so confidently. A playground of near-limitless possibilities, this 116-acre South Sardinia resort has eight hotels, more than 700 rooms, 35 dining and drinking options, a 4,000-seat arena, boutiques, a sparkling beach and much more. This expansive Mediterranean-kissing resort caters to all kinds of travelers, whether you're an athlete looking to up your game with a professional or a parent who needs to entertain the kids.
Reserve a room in Hotel Il Castello's contemporary elegance.
The fun begins the moment you choose your accommodations. With so many room, suite and villa options across the campus, the choice depends on you and your vacation goals. Get a neutral-toned Prestige room in Hotel Il Castello if you and your partner want to be near the beach. Try one of the bungalows in the foliage-filled Villa del Parco Hotel & Spa if you prefer to be close to the spa. Or splurge on one of the 13 magnificent villas when the romantic getaway calls for a private pool, butler service and nearly 3,000 square feet of personal space.
No matter where you lay your head, though, Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa is where you'll find the most relaxation together. The 2022-renovated sanctuary's menu is filled with unique services like the honey-and-salt massage, but couples may get the most joy from the thalassotherapy course. The six-part cycle is Forte Village's interpretation of how ancient Romans used sea water at different temperatures and varying saline densities to benefit the body. You'll bond with your significant other as you both tussle with 100-degree temperatures in the high-saline pool and get covered in the circuit's sticky sea oil.
Catch at least one meal at Fish Market.
Heinz Beck is one of the world's foremost gastronomic geniuses. When the German chef puts his stamp on a resort restaurant, it's understood that certain culinary standards will be met. When he puts his name on two establishments at the same property, like he does at Forte Village's Heinz Beck Restaurant and Beachcomber by Heinz Beck, it's safe to say that address exceeds every epicurean expectation.
At Heinz Beck Restaurant, the chef's European sensibilities shine through in an amazing turbot with black truffle and a lime-marinated cacio e pepe we haven't stopped dreaming about. Your smartly dressed table can nosh on dishes from a terrace overlooking the sea. Beachcomber by Heinz Beck is even closer to the waves, giving you an assortment of salads and seafood to enjoy by the sand.
No matter what you're in the mood for — pepperoni slices (Pizzeria Bellavista), prawns (Fish Market), grilled pork (Brasiliano) or popsicles (Snack Oasis) — there's likely a restaurant specializing in it around the Village. A rotating assortment of top chefs (when we visited, talented toques like Giuseppe Mancino and Andrea Aprea were cooking) adds its own flavor to kitchens. But for those meals when you can't quite tell what you're in the mood for, Cavalieri elevates the all-you-can scene with fresh lobster and house-made gelato.
Afternoons are literally a circus at this resort.
You could argue that the littlest guests get the best care at Forte Village. There's a literal circus on the campus with rotating shows filled with clowns and magicians. There's also a kid-centric restaurant (complete with mini chairs and tables), an arts camp, a tiny train choo-chooing around and a children's village composed of tyke-sized buildings. And for those times when parents want to nap or get a body wrap, there's a full-time day care service.
And even if your kids are too old for a sitter, they'll have a blast here. At the Acquapark, you'll find seven slides for the older ones and a pirate ship for younger siblings who begged to tag along. There's also a bowling alley and a go-kart track that they can bike to. Speaking of pedaling, we saw plenty of teens and tweens riding around the property, simply taking in the quiet — between selfie takes, of course.
Forte Village is always game for a little competition.
At press time, Jannik Sinner was the top-ranked male tennis player in the world. Guess where he did some training? Of course, Forte Village's tennis club can't promise you similar grand slam-winning results (though full-time coach Pat Cash is the 1987 Wimbledon champ), but it can guarantee a good time on one of the 13 courts. The same world-class standards apply in padel tennis and on new pickleball courts, too.
This resort's accomplishments go well beyond paddle sports, however. From the Real Madrid Foundation Football Clinic to academies in sports like swimming, fencing and field hockey that are all led by former Olympic medalists, if it's best-in-class training within a specific discipline that you seek, there may not be a more well-rounded team of instructors than what you'll find at Forte Village.
And if you or a loved one has a hobby outside of the traditional sports, there's a good chance there's a course for it here, too. Want to learn how to spin records like a top DJ? Sign right up. Have a kid with dreams of becoming the next Ryan Coogler? The Cinema Academy may be perfect for him. Think you might be related to a future Judit Polgár? See for yourself at the Chess Academy.
The new Nature Eco Park expands the resort's reach even more.
There is a world to explore at Forte Village. An afternoon of walking or biking will allow you to spot oleander, mastic trees and more than 3,000 other native plant species around the property. For those who want to take their botany lesson to the next level, Forte Village Nature Eco Park is a wildly entertaining option that debuts this spring.
The 17-acre green space is home to native foliage, mammals (like alpacas, emus and Sardinian sheep) and birds (such as pheasants, turkeys and Mandarin ducks). You'll also find a walking and cycling path, a vegetable garden and stable filled with horses and donkeys. Discuss what you see over a bite and beverages at the onsite restaurant.
Explore the ancient ruins of Nora.
Should you want to step away from Forte Village for a few hours, concierge will happily arrange a day trip for you to nearby sites. Where the resort sits, you're just a 20-minute drive from the Capo Spartivento Calabro Lighthouse in one direction and only a 15-minute ride to Pula in the other way.
Pula's tiled walkways and colorful flags dangling overhead only hint at the stories this town could tell. After strolling around the charming squares and stores, stop by S'Osteria, a shop that not only sells hundreds of olive oil varieties, but it has wooden pot mats and other handmade items that make for wonderful mementos.
Just 10 minutes from Pula you'll come to the sea, where the ruins of Nora are found. The active archaeological site was once the first Phoenician city in Sardinia, thriving in the 5th and 6th centuries B.C. You can still spot mosaic floors and irrigation remnants from that time.
Nearly as fascinating is the fact the site is still used today for spectacle, most notably in July 2024 when fashion powerhouse Dolce & Gabbana erected a runway that had Nora's ancient remains and renowned artist Phillip K Smith's reflective installation 'Nora Mirage' as show-stopping backdrops.