Chiesa di San Giovanni di Sinis

Western Sardinia


Built from softly worn sandstone, Chiesa di San Giovanni di Sinis is one of the two oldest churches in Sardinia (Cagliari’s Basilica di San Saturnino is older). It owes its current form to an 11th-century makeover, although elements of the 6th-century Byzantine original remain, including the characteristic red dome. Inside, the bare walls lend a sombre and richly spiritual atmosphere. Find it near the southern tip of the Sinis Peninsula, just beyond the car park at the foot of the Tharros access road.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Western Sardinia attractions

1. Area Archeologica di Tharros

0.55 MILES

The choppy blue waters of the Golfo di Oristano provide a magnificent backdrop to the ruins of ancient Tharros. Founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th…

2. Torre di San Giovanni Watchtower

0.63 MILES

For a bird’s-eye view of Tharros, head up to the late-16th-century Torre di San Giovanni watchtower, occasionally used for exhibitions. Here you can look…

3. Oasi di Seu

2.16 MILES

A few kilometres out of Tharros, and signposted off the main road, the Oasi di Seu is a veritable Eden of Mediterranean flora. Once you’ve navigated the…

4. Chiesa di San Salvatore

2.75 MILES

In the centre of the village, the 17th-century Chiesa di San Salvatore stands over a stone ipogeo (underground vault) dating to the nuraghic period. This…

5. Is Aruttas

5.16 MILES

One of the peninsula's most famous beaches, Is Aruttas is a pristine arc of white sand fronted by translucent aquamarine waters. For years its quartz sand…

6. Museo Civico

5.46 MILES

Cabras' cultural highlight is the Museo Civico, and the real superstars here are the so-called Giants of Monte Prama, a series of towering nuraghic…

7. Spiaggia di Marina di Arborea

7.99 MILES

The tiny settlement of Marina di Arborea gives onto this long and rarely busy beach. Backed by dense pine woods, the sandy strip extends northwards for…

8. Stagno S’Ena Arrubia

7.99 MILES

Six kilometres to the south of Santa Giusta, the Stagno S’Ena Arrubia is a paradise for birdwatchers – flamingos, herons, coots and ospreys are regularly…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "italy/sardinia/san-giovanni-di-sinis-tharros/attractions/chiesa-di-san-giovanni-di-sinis/a/poi-sig/1138399/1321158",
      "destination": "Western-Sardinia",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Italy",
      "region": "Western-Sardinia",
      "position": "superzone"
    }