Founded in 1070, Oristano is the main centre of northern Campidano, a flat region of Sardinia with a strong agricultural vocation.
Not far from the city is the Sinis Peninsula, where you can often spot the famous pink flamingos. The area’s beaches are another major attraction, as are the numerous archaeological sites where you can find traces of the Nuragic, Phoenician, Punic, and Roman eras.
But Oristano is best known for the Sartiglia, a splendid medieval horse race that takes place every year on the last Sunday and Tuesday of Carnival, attracting visitors and curious onlookers from all over the world.
The Oristano area is a treasure waiting to be discovered year-round: if you want to explore the city of Eleonora d’Arborea, visit miles of beaches and nuraghi, or go in search of flamingos or sea turtles, rely on the experience of Autonoleggi Demontis to rent a car directly in Oristano. In addition to private transportation, you’ll also find commercial vehicles and vans for cargo transportation.
Traditions, archaeology, sea, and nature: Oristano offers all this to visitors who choose to stay in the Sardinian capital.
The city’s historic center is rich in monuments, including the Tower of San Cristoforo (or Tower of Mariano), the only surviving part of the city walls from the Giudicati era, along with the Tower of Sa Portixedda; the Gothic Church of Santa Chiara; the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta; and the statue dedicated to Eleonora d’Arborea. A historic 19th-century building (Palazzo Parpaglia) houses the Antiquarium Arborense, a museum housing numerous archaeological finds from the Nuragic, Punic, and Roman periods.
Just 10 km from Oristano, Torregrande beach is worth a stroll. Here, in addition to clubs, bars, restaurants, beach clubs, and markets, you’ll find the largest Spanish tower in Sardinia, built between 1542 and 1572. For history buffs, the Oristano area also offers the fascinating Tharros Archaeological Area, with the remains of the eponymous city that encompasses over two millennia of history; the Sacred Well of Santa Cristina near Paulilatino; the Nuraghe Losa in Abbasanta; and the statues of the Giants of Mont’e Prama, dating back to the 8th century BC and open to the public in the Cabras Museum. In this same area, you’ll find one of the largest pond ecosystems in Europe, a delight for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
If you happen to be in the Oristano area, you can’t miss a few days visiting the marvelous beaches of the Sinis peninsula: Mari Ermi, Is Arutas, and Maimoni, famous for the quartz grains that sparkle in the sand; Putzu Idu and s’Arena Scoada with their crystal-clear waters; and Is Arenas with its vast expanse of sand.
Here are some things not to miss if you happen to be in Oristano and the surrounding area:
S’Archittu
Sa Sartiglia
San Giovanni di Sinis
If you’d like to explore the Sinis Peninsula, our car rental agency in Oristano offers small, medium, and large vehicles, suitable for short or long trips, to accompany you on this journey through the sea, lagoons, and ancient Roman cities. The Oristano area is also home to numerous agricultural and artisanal businesses that need to transport goods to every corner of Sardinia. For this reason, Autonoleggi Demontis also offers various types of vans and commercial vehicles in Oristano to support you in your daily work.
When you think of the cuisine of the Oristano area, two things immediately come to mind: bottarga from the Cabras area and Vernaccia, the typical local wine. Mullet is the most common fish on the tables of the people of Oristano (famous for its prized bottarga, boiled and wrapped in marsh herbs, it gives rise to the traditional recipe Sa Merca). Among the meats, we find the important Slow Food Presidium, the Montiferru Red Ox. Among the typical dishes of Oristano cuisine, we also find eels, grilled during the feast of the Madonna del Rimedio. Finally, traditional desserts such as mostaccioli and pabassini are well worth trying.
Here’s where to find excellent cuisine in Oristano:
In the center of Oristano, Librid is a bistro-style venue with outdoor seating and a bookshop available to patrons. Ideal for aperitifs, enjoyed in the garden or outdoor atrium, it offers refined cuisine based on local products (such as the delicious fried red ox meatballs), an excellent wine list, and a wide selection of cocktails and craft beers.
From the fish pond to the table, this fish tourism restaurant in Cabras offers seafood delicacies, including first and second courses, in a casual, family atmosphere. Fishing nets on the ceiling and straw-seated chairs decorate this restaurant, where you can enjoy mullet, bottarga, mussels, shellfish, and an excellent grill featuring the catch of the day, as well as traditional seafood first courses.
This refined restaurant near Oristano’s main square offers a refined setting and welcoming service. The cuisine features traditional dishes with a wide selection of appetizers, first and second courses, both seafood and meat, and over 40 pizzas, all paired with excellent wines. A gluten-free menu is also available.
Whether you’re in Oristano for business or vacationing in western Sardinia, the Sinis region offers comfortable accommodations to suit every need. In the city, you can stay in functional, modern hotels or elegant guest houses. For a unique experience, we’ve selected a unique albergo diffuso (a multi-building hotel) located not far from Oristano.
Here are our recommendations for where to stay in Oristano and the surrounding area:
Open year-round, Hotel Mistral 2 is located near the historic center of Oristano and offers guests a relaxing swimming pool, a traditional restaurant open to non-residents, and convenient covered parking. The rooms are functionally furnished and offer every comfort. The hotel also features a conference center with several rooms and a spacious lobby that often hosts temporary exhibitions by local artists.
In the heart of Cabras, Aquae Sinis is a multi-building hotel comprising several residences: Thermae, Mistras, Pontis, and Laguna. The historic houses, renovated according to green building principles, are all close to each other and offer rooms furnished in typical Sardinian Campidanese style. Guests also have access to a wellness area with a hydromassage pool, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, Scottish shower, and chromotherapy.
This elegant guest house is located in the city’s main square, on the first floor of the historic Carta Corrias building. The rooms are classically furnished and offer an interesting glimpse into 19th-century residences, while also offering modern and efficient services. Guests receive a free pass for the ZTL (limited traffic zone), and breakfast can be served in their room each morning.
In Oristano, our car rental agency offers comfortable city cars for quick city trips, whether for business or pleasure. At our offices near the city center, you can request information and choose your small rental car quickly and easily. If you have any questions, you can also fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
If you’re in Oristano on vacation and want to explore the Sinis region, you’ll likely need a larger car, with a spacious trunk and comfortable even for longer journeys. Demontis Car Rentals offers those looking for large car rentals a wide selection of vehicles, including those available at their Oristano office, where executive cars are also available for business trips.
For moving or freight transportation, Autonoleggi Demontis offers van rentals in Oristano and throughout the Sinis region. We have vehicles from small to large, refrigerated or boxed, perfect for transporting any type of material. To carry out your work safely and have a vehicle that’s always efficient, rely on the experience of our commercial vehicle rental agency in Oristano.
With this service, you can benefit from emergency roadside assistance from our company, even for non-mechanical breakdowns, such as a flat battery or a flat tire. Request it from our staff when you rent your car at the airport, and if you need assistance, you’ll receive immediate assistance with just a phone call.
Having a rental car delivered to your doorstep or office is now possible with Autonoleggi Demontis’ delivery service, available at our Oristano location. If you need to pick up your rental car directly from your hotel or the beach, simply let us know where you are, and we’ll deliver it to your doorstep, without you having to come to our office to pick it up.
Choose flexible and transparent rental options and enjoy free cancellation in the event of unforeseen circumstances. With Autonoleggi Demontis, you can cancel your rental up to 48 hours in advance for prepaid reservations and up to the day of rental for cash-on-collection reservations.
Complete the form to request information about small or large car and van rentals with pickup in Oristano. Demontis Car Rentals has the perfect solution for your vacation or business needs, with a constantly monitored and efficient fleet. Demontis Car Rentals always has the best solution for your business or pleasure trips.
