Nuoro: Beautiful Nature and Intentional Side-Quest

My Italian adventure continued to the town of Nuoro, but this time it wasn’t about nature, scenic views, or outdoor trips. Nope – this was a side quest. One of those unexpected missions life throws at you when you least expect it: I needed a pair of pants.

So I started searching for any kind of shopping center in this remote land (a.k.a. the surroundings of Orosei), because honestly – I was smack in the middle of nowhere.

My search led me to Nuoro, where I found a place called CENTROCITTÀ – a shopping center that looked promising. Even better, there was a direct bus connection. Route 529, about an hour’s ride along the highway.

But I have to admit right away — I had no clue how Italian buses actually worked.
And I’ll tell you exactly why…

Bus Roulette: How to Get to Nuoro 🚌

The route to Nuoro was simple — still the same old line 529. But the ride there and the ride back? Two totally different stories. On the way there, the bus took the highway, so the trip was pretty smooth and quick. You pay directly to the driver, and the price depends on the distance. For me, it was around 2–3 euros, which is a sweet deal.

To squeeze in a bit of sleep and avoid arriving during the sacred Italian siesta time, I caught the bus from Orosei around 9:00 AM. (If you want to check the latest bus schedules, they’re in the previous post — HERE.)

The bus eventually dropped me off somewhere near a hospital. Or at least, I think it was a hospital. Truth to be told, I had no idea where exactly I was or if there were any more stops coming up. So I just played it safe and got off at the first one that looked like, “Alright, I guess this is the city.”

A Stroll, a Sanctuary, and Hunger Like a Wolf

I was a bit off the beaten path, but at least I got in a nice walk. The weather? Classic Sardinian postcard vibes — clear skies, sunshine, and just the right kind of warm.

I headed toward the center of Nuoro to check things out a bit, before diving into my main mission: buying pants.

On the way, I came across the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace – a simple little church with a peaceful atmosphere. And just in case you’re wondering — a sanctuary is basically a sacred site, often visited by pilgrims for spiritual reasons.

But my kind of pilgrimage was a bit different — my stomach was making it clear that it was lunchtime. So I stopped at a local snack bar with a small terrace. The kitchen was tiny — like, “might-be-a-pantry” tiny — but the lady working there cooked everything with what felt like a big spoonful of love.

Lunch with a Beer I’ll Remember (Even If I Don’t Order It Again) 🍺🍔

When you’re sitting on a terrace in Sardinia, it’s almost mandatory to order the local beer — and I didn’t disappoint. I went with Ichnusa, but this time I tried the non filtrata version — the unfiltered one. It was a bit cloudier, had a stronger flavor and a different kind of finish. Not bad at all — but definitely not something I’d drink every day. I don’t think it’ll be my first pick next time, but as a taste test? Totally worth it. Maybe I’ll order it again someday… just to refresh the memory.

For the main dish, I got a burger — slightly unconventional, as it came wrapped in foil, which was a bit odd, but taste-wise it actually surprised me in a good way. It was crispy, nicely grilled — exactly how a burger should be.

And since I was seriously hungry, I ordered a little something extra as “dessert” — a dish that looked like pork wrapped in a tortilla — somewhere between a kebab and a mini gyros, but with whole chunks of meat. The tortilla was so crispy, it was literally crumbling in my hands, and bits of food were flying all over the table.

I ate it like a total mess — but it tasted amazing. The place where I had this glorious meal is called Pont’e Ferru — definitely recommended if you ever find yourself in Nuoro and hungry like a wolf.

Side Quest (Almost) Cancelled: But a Mission Is a Mission

Full and ready to fulfill my mission, I finally headed to CENTROCITTÀ, the shopping center where my noble side quest — buying pants — was supposed to take place. But as I got closer to the building, something felt… off. The lights were off. The doors were locked. Yep — it was closed. That’s when it hit me: It was Sunday. And as the saying goes — on Sunday, we do nothing. (Or something like that. The point is — it was very closed.) And for Italians, this rule apparently applies tenfold.

Even though the parking lot was buzzing with cars, I soon realized that the only thing actually open was a supermarket on the ground floor. The rest of the shopping center? Locked up tight. But I wasn’t ready to give up just yet. I checked the map to see if there was anything else nearby and found out that Terranova had a store not far from there — not in a mall, but on the ground floor of an apartment building, somewhere between a McDonald’s and a few other shops.

So I headed that way and ended up spending over an hour in the store. For some, that’s nothing special, but for me — a guy who prefers to be in and out of a shop in under five minutes — that was quite something. In the end, I found a few pieces I liked and went to try them on. And the thing that is not of course classic (rather miracle) — everything fit perfectly. Just to be sure, I snapped a few photos and sent them to my mom like, “Hey, what do you think? Can I go with this?”

Bonus Mission: Climbing to the Cathedral with a View Over All of Nuoro ⛪🌄

After finishing my shopping mission, I decided to wander through the city a bit more. Before I knew it, my legs had carried me to one of the highest points in Nuoro. That’s where the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria della Neve stands — which translates to Cathedral of Our Lady of the Snow.

It’s an elegant church with a white façade and two towers, giving off a vibe that’s both majestic and serene. The area around it is well-kept, and the view from up there is absolutely stunning — you can see almost the entire city and so many details that you’d never notice from the narrow streets below.

The whole moment felt… symbolic. Like wrapping up a day with something that just makes sense. Pants in the morning, a burger for lunch, and a cathedral on a hill in the afternoon. Nuoro — you really gave me something special.

By the way, between the church and the building on the left side, there’s a gorgeous viewpoint — definitely worth stopping for.

Views, a Castle, and an Adrenaline-Fueled Ending 🎢🏰🚌

From the cathedral, it wasn’t far to Parco di Colle Sant’Onofrio — a park that offers breathtaking views of the Supramonte mountain range. And not just that. There’s also a castle up there called Sant’Onofrio, which you might also find on the map as Villa Antonietta. It’s the perfect place for a picnic, a short break, or just a quiet moment to watch the city from above. As for the castle itself — I did find a way “in,” but only through the fence. The park entrance, though, is easy to find. Just go through the main gate, and you’ll reach a lovely viewpoint.

But time was ticking. I had to catch my bus back. I found the connection via Google Maps — departure time and location. I headed to the stop, which had a sign with a bus icon, and… that was it. No schedule, no bench, no confirmation that anything would actually show up.

That’s when it all hit me — it was Sunday, I was an hour’s drive from home, and I had no clue whether a bus would ever come. My phone battery was almost dead, so I just turned on some music, sat on the curb, and stared into nothingness. Just a few cars, some apartment buildings, and a parking lot. No sign of civilization. Just hope.

And so I waited… hoping for a miracle.

The Bus (Eventually) Arrived – and the Ride Was Free! 🚌💨

Here’s a photo of the spot where I was waiting. And yes — the bus finally showed up… but more than half an hour late. When I tried to explain to the driver where I was going and asked how to pay, he just smiled, shrugged, and waved me on. So the ride was free. Was it a gift from the universe or just pure Italian transport chaos? I don’t know — but I’ll take it either way. And btw, the bus stopped at the intersection as if it had the stop sign, so don’t be upset that you missed it.

We took a completely different route back — through narrow roads, fields, and what felt more like a local farm lane than an actual highway. But honestly, I didn’t care anymore. I felt an enormous wave of relief just knowing I had a way home — no hitchhiking, no overnight stay, no last-minute panic run across the island.

It was around 2 PM when I first sat down at the bus stop, and the next (and last) connection from Nuoro was at 4:45 PM. Only two buses on Sundays — and that’s not even counting the one around 8 in the morning, which no sane person wants to catch. So yeah — I got lucky… but it was a close call.

What’s Next?

In the next part, I’ll show you probably the best activity you can do around Orosei. It’s not hiking, and it’s not biking either. It’s something you’ll really enjoy — and don’t worry, you won’t even break a sweat. But trust me — you’ll still end up soaking wet.

So make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on Instagram, so you don’t miss a thing!

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

Flying Easterner