Argentiera: Sardinia’s Ghost Mining Village by the Sea

Region: Sardinia

Province / Nearest City: Province of Sassari / nearest city Alghero (30 km away)

Attraction Name: Argentiera – Abandoned Mining Village

Address: Borgata Argentiera, 07040 Sassari, SS

Distance from Major City: ~35 km from Sassari (40 minutes by car); ~30 km from Alghero (35 minutes by car)

How to Get There:

• By car: From Sassari or Alghero, follow SP18 along the coast. Signs for “Argentiera” lead directly into the village.

• By public transport: Limited connections—seasonal buses may run from Sassari/Alghero, but the most reliable option is by car.

What Makes It Unique in the World: Argentiera is a place where time stopped. Once buzzing with miners extracting silver, lead, and zinc, today it’s a semi-abandoned ghost village, with stone houses, warehouses, and the striking ruins of the laveria (washing plant) overlooking turquoise waters. It’s both eerie and poetic: the perfect mix of industrial archaeology and wild Sardinian coastline.

Local Story / Fun Fact: Mining here dates back to Roman times, but after the mine’s closure in 1967, residents left almost overnight. Locals whisper about shadows and metallic echoes at night—the restless spirits of miners said to haunt the tunnels.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and early autumn (April–June, September–October), when the coastal air is fresh and beaches nearby are quiet. Summer is also popular for swimming at Cala dell’Argentiera and Porto Palmas.

Nearby Food & Stay: You’ll find small trattorie and bars in Argentiera itself during summer. For more options, head to Alghero for fresh seafood and boutique hotels. Agriturismi in the Sassari countryside also offer a rustic stay.