Why San Pietro, not Sardinia, is the Italian island worth your time
For all the fame of Sicily and Sardinia, one small island off the southwest coast of Sardinia has quietly become the favourite of a native travel writer. San Pietro, with its unique Ligurian heritage, strong winds and centuries-old tuna tradition, offers something the better-known islands cannot match: character that lasts beyond the summer season.
Claudia Tavani, a Sardinian travel writer and founder of Strictly Sardinia, has visited more than nine Italian islands, including Sicily, Sardinia, San Pietro, Sant'Antioco, La Maddalena, Caprera, Tavolara, Stromboli and Vulcano. Yet when asked which one she keeps returning to, her answer is immediate: San Pietro.
Foreigners hardly know about it, but Sardinians love it. And Tavani, who was born and raised on Sardinia itself, visits all the time. She was there as recently as early August.
What makes San Pietro different from Sardinia?
Culturally, San Pietro feels quite distinct from Sardinia. Its only town, Carloforte, was founded in the 18th century by the Tabarchini, Ligurian families whose ancestors had earlier settled on the Tunisian island of Tabarka. That history remains very much alive today.
Locals speak Tabarchino, an old Ligurian dialect, and the island's food blends Ligurian, Sardinian and North African influences. The town itself resembles Genoa, with scenic caruggi, narrow alleys lined with colourful buildings.
Why does the food keep bringing her back?
Food is one of Tavani's main reasons for returning. Carloforte has an extraordinary tuna-fishing tradition, including the mattanza, a centuries-old ritual for trapping and harvesting Mediterranean blue-fin tuna that typically takes place in June.
The island also has excellent seafood restaurants, many of which offer standout tuna dishes during the season. Another local specialty is cascà, the Carloforte version of couscous, reflecting the island's North African connections.
How does San Pietro change with the seasons?
In summer, Carloforte and the rest of the island are incredibly lively. It is a popular holiday destination for people from southern Sardinia, yet it remains surprisingly little known to international visitors.
Tavani took a boat tour around the island in early August, at the peak of the Italian summer season. Even then, she saw only a fraction of the boats you would encounter around heavily visited places such as La Maddalena.
Outside summer, the island becomes much quieter but remains a pleasant place to spend a few days. That, she says, is one of the reasons she keeps going back. It is not a place she associates only with beaches or a summer holiday. She genuinely enjoys being in Carloforte, eating there, walking around town and seeing how its character changes throughout the year.
What else does the island offer beyond food?
San Pietro has beautiful beaches, impressive cliffs, salt pans and spectacular sunset viewpoints. It is also an island shaped by the weather: strong winds are very common and are part of the experience of being there.
Tavani always recommends giving yourself plenty of time on the island. She only managed to complete the boat tour after years of trying, having had it cancelled repeatedly because of the wind.
Is San Pietro worth visiting for a longer stay?
Yes, and that is precisely the point. The island rewards patience. Its appeal does not depend on perfect weather or peak season crowds. It offers a stable, rooted culture, a distinct history and a way of life that has endured for centuries. For travellers who value substance over spectacle, San Pietro is a destination that earns repeat visits.
Claudia Tavani is the founder of Strictly Sardinia, a travel website dedicated to her home island. This article was originally published on August 26, 2026.