A Gallura town around which the Costa Smeralda was born, in the province of Sassari, Arzachena is an unmissable Sardinian pearl. In fact, in its territory, there is Porto Cervo, a tourist jewel and the most exclusive holiday destination in Sardinia. In addition, the extraction of granite, a distinctive feature of the architecture of the historic center, and the renowned wine cellars that characterize the surrounding countryside contribute to the charm of the village. Built in an area inhabited since the pre-Nuragic and Nuragic periods, the town is located in an area known in Roman times as "Turibulum", because of the large mushroom-shaped rock now called "mountain with the hat". The current town, on the other hand, was built starting in 1716 at the behest of the King of Sardinia Carlo Emanuele III to encourage the repopulation of the territory, on the basis of a first nucleus of seventeenth-century houses built around the Church of Santa Maria. The result after centuries is a lively and colorful town, with squares and facades of pink granite and white stone, flowery views and green spaces dotted with artisan boutiques. But it is the numerous beauties of nature that capture the attention: Capo Ferro, Cala Granu, Grande Pevero, the islands of Li Nibani, Piccolo Pevero, the bay of Romazzino, the beach of the prince, La Celvia, Cala di Volpe, Cala Capriccioli, the islets of the Maddalena di Soffi archipelago park, the Camere and Mortorio, La Suareddha, the "silky" expanses of Tanca Manna and the splendid Ea Bianca (or cove of the junipers). The archaeological sites in the surrounding area are also of particular importance. The oldest and most famous site is the necropolis of Li Muri (end of the fourth millennium BC), known as the "circle tombs". Among the testimonies of the Bronze Age, the Albucciu nuraghe stands out, surrounded by the remains of a village and near the Moru tomb. Nearby there is also the small temple of Malchittu, a place of ritual ceremonies. Not to be missed is La Prisgiona in the Capichera valley, with a three-lobed nuraghe and a village of about one hundred huts. The archaeological tour concludes with two tombs of Giants, the tomb of Coddu Vecchiu with a four-meter-high stele and the famous tomb of Li Lolghi, entirely in granite. Special mention for the recently built Ethnographic and Mineralogical Museum, which houses numerous minerals and fossils (for a total of 15,000 pieces) purchased by the Municipality from prestigious private collections and a Territorial Documentation Center of Earth and Human Science. As for the local cultural roots, perfect for returning emigrants interested in the traditions of their land, the main festival of the village should be mentioned, or the patron saint dedicated to Santa Maria della Neve (15-18 September), the perfect time to taste the typical dishes of Arzachenese gastronomy, linked to the peasant tradition. His cuisine, in fact, is made up of first courses such as the "suppa gadduresa" with slices of bread in meat broth, cheese and aromatic herbs, or "Li chjiusòni", the Gallura gnocchi, second courses such as the "rivea", lamb or kid coratella on the spit, or "Lu casgiu furriatu" or melted cheese seasoned with honey or sugar, and desserts such as "Lu pani e sabba", typical for All Saints' Day and prepared by mixing cooked grape must with the egg and flour mixture. In conclusion, all that remains is to drink a glass of Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, a fine white wine characteristic of northern Sardinia.