Sardinia: History, Food & Ichnusa Beer – Tasting the Island One Bite at a Time

After all the adventures – boats, beaches, bikes, and even a concert starring a Lamborghini – it is time to slow down a bit. In this part of Flying Easterner, we’re taking a step back in time. I’ll tell you what Sardinia is really all about: how the Romans ended up here, what Napoleon had in mind for the island, and why today we’re eating pizza and pasta while swimming at beaches that look like they’re from another planet.

Sardinia’s Origins: Romans, Napoleon, and the Island’s Early Days

Sardinia feels like an island ripped straight out of a history book – only instead of boring illustrations, you get stone towers, ancient myths, and a seriously wild past.

The first humans arrived here back in the Neolithic era, more than 8,000 years ago. No one knows exactly where they came from, but most likely from mainland Italy or North Africa – basically, they hopped into primitive boats and said, “Let’s go where it looks like a vacation!” And they never left.

They lived in caves, gathered wild fruits, caught fish, and eventually – around 1800 BC – evolved into a full-fledged civilization: the Nuragic people. These legends (and let’s not forget the crafty women too) built stone towers called nuraghi, which look like something between alien observatories and adult LEGO projects designed by mad architects. And the wildest part? They’re still standing! Wind, salt, centuries, tourists – they’ve survived it all. Can’t say the same about today’s apartment buildings.

Then, in 238 BC, the Romans showed up, decided Sardinia would look nice in their empire, and turned it into a province. But Sardinia never played by the rules. The locals had their own rhythm – more “let’s take a siesta and see how we feel later” than “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Later, even Napoleon tried to get his hands on the island, with big plans and grand ideas. Sardinians? They just smiled, shrugged, and said “no grazie” so “no thanks”. And they’ve been doing their own thing ever since – stubborn, authentic, and proud.

Bandits, Rugged Beauty, and Crystal-Clear Waters

Sardinia used to have a reputation that Tarantino would do a film about. Even in the 20th century, it was known as the island of bandits – and I don’t mean the kind who steal your parking spot. These guys hid deep in the mountains, in places where even a goat would think twice before going.

They were smugglers, outlaws, and at times, folk heroes. No one really wanted to go searching for them too hard – either because they’d get lost, or lose their courage in the process. Think of them as Sardinia’s version of Robin Hood or Jánošík.

Because of this, Sardinia’s rugged inland regions stayed untouched for decades – not because no one wanted to change them, but because no one dared. Nature remained pristine, like a glass of wine before dinner – untouched, but full of promise.

And that’s exactly why Sardinia today feels so wild and pure. Beaches you can’t even reach by car – only by boat, or if you’re feeling like Rambo, on foot through thorns, bushes, and half-naked cliffs. The sea is so turquoise it looks like an Instagram filter – but with no filter. Coastlines with no hotels, no sunbeds – just you and raw nature. It’s like stumbling across a forgotten paradise that, by some miracle, hasn’t been sliced up by a real estate company.

So yes – the bandits might’ve stolen sheep, but they left nature alone. And now you get to enjoy it in full glory.

Food: A Slovak vs. Italian Start to the Day

Forget eggs, sausages, ham, or a nice Slovak-style roll with spread. Italians – and especially Sardinians – are on a completely different breakfast wavelength. Sweet chocolate rolls, croissants, maybe a cookie or two, or just coffee. In the canteen (you probably know I worked here – article HERE), we had those chocolate rolls every single day.

At first, it was great – I mean, who wouldn’t want dessert first thing in the morning? But after a week, it started to feel like I was waking up straight into a sugar party. So I went back to my tried-and-true classic: cereal with milk. Not exactly a gourmet experience, but hey – it fills you up and gets the job done.

Lunch? Well… get ready for pasta. A lot of pasta. Pasta a hundred different ways – with meat, with sauce, without sauce, just olive oil and a generous sprinkle of parmesan on top.

And that’s another thing – “parmeeeeesaaaano” goes on everything here. Sometimes I honestly felt like if they could, they’d grate it over dessert too.

There were days when I literally ate just plain pasta with parmesan and olive oil – nothing else. Simple, salty, and strangely satisfying.

And when the canteen didn’t quite match my taste buds, I went for the one thing I knew would hit the spot: a solid piece of meat – and for a side dish… fish!

Yeah, I know – it sounds like a crazy combo, but honestly, it was probably the most filling thing I ate there. One of those meals where afterward you just sit still for an hour, breathing slowly, wondering if you’re about to burst like a goldfish in a tiny bowl.

By the way – no potatoes. Like, really. It’s as if they were banned or something. Pasta, veggies, rice – sure. But the classic Slovak “would you like potatoes or rice?” doesn’t exist here. We had potatoes maybe twice during our entire stay – and that was only because we actually went and asked them if they could make some. We missed them that much.

And of course, there’s the usual classic: pizza in a thousand variations – that goes without saying. Also, nearly every holiday resort hotel with an all-inclusive buffet had self-serve stations with Coke, Fanta, Sprite, or beer. But here in Italy? Naturally… they also had a wine tap. Which, honestly, makes perfect sense.

👉 I’ll drop a few photos below of the portions we used to pile up in the canteen. And believe me – those weren’t one-person portions. But everything got eaten. Always. I don’t waste food. If I don’t like something, I don’t take it. Simple as that.

Portions of canteen foo I have taken

Ichnusa: The Sardinian Beer That Tastes Like Summer

If Sardinia had a liquid version of its flag, it would be a bottle of Ichnusa. You’ll find this beer treasure literally everywhere – in bars, shops, on the beach… even at the kiosk run by the lady selling postcards. It’s kind of like our Slovak Zlatý Bažant, or maybe more like a Šariš 12, but with a twist of sunshine, sea breeze, and chill vibes.

The classic one – Ichnusa Lager – is light, slightly bitter, and goes down like lemonade (with just a touch of responsibility). It’s perfect for those 35-degree days when you’re sitting on a terrace or beach, feet in the sand, thinking, “Should I go for my fourth pizza or pasta today?”

But wait – there’s more! They also have a “non filtrata” version – unfiltered, slightly hazy, with a stronger flavor and a bit more “beer personality.” Like when you want a bit more character but still want to keep the laid-back mood. I had it a few times – interesting for sure, but for everyday sipping, I’d probably stick with the classic. More about beer find out HERE.

And then there’s the lemon version – something like a Radler, but with a bit more kick. It’s basically a lazy person’s summer cocktail – refreshing, tasty, a little fun, and it even looks good in a photo. Best enjoyed after a long day, when your skin’s sun-dried, your body’s ocean-soaked, and you’re just sitting there, soaking in the slow-motion end of the day.

But where did this liquid legend actually come from? Ichnusa was first brewed in 1912 in Cagliari, the island’s capital, when a man named Amsicora Capra decided Sardinia deserved its own beer – something local, refreshing, and strong enough to last for generations. The name “Ichnusa” comes from the ancient Latin word for Sardinia – Hyknusa. (Yes, it kind of sounds like a Pokémon, but it’s legit.)

Amsicora made it happen, the beer took off, and it survived everything – from wars to beach heatwaves.
In the 1980s, the brand was acquired by Heineken, but the taste stayed true. Even today, when you take a sip, it still whispers: “Take it easy – you’re in Sardinia.”

What is next?

✨ And just like that – our Sardinian chapter slowly comes to a close. We’ve had pasta, sunburned our noses on the beaches, tasted Ichnusa (and its lemony cousin), and took a peek into the island’s rich history – where, back in the day, things boiled over just as much as today’s pots full of spaghetti.

But don’t worry – this is far from the end! In the next chapter of the Flying Easterner, I’ll take you to a completely new country. It was a spontaneous trip after my Sardinian adventure – not originally planned, but thanks to a few complications, it turned out to be the best trip so far. And where was it? Well… you’ll find out in the next part.

👉 So make sure to follow me on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter – you don’t want to miss the next dose of adventure, history, and awkward travel moments served with a side of humor.

Cross your boundaries – that’s where the treasure you’re seeking is hidden.

Flying Easterner