Useful information

In B&Bs, Room Rentals, Cumbessias, Farmhouses, Private Houses, Parish Houses and in tents. The B&Bs and Affitacamere reported on this site have been contacted by our Association and thus made aware of the hospitality. Many hospitaleros are active militants of our association. Many of these establishments have committed to a reduced rate for pilgrims who will show their credential. In B&Bs, in addition to an overnight stay, breakfast is included in the price. Family hospitality: these are individuals, families and associations that make their homes and/or facilities available to accommodate pilgrims. It is a non-profit formula that does not provide a financial consideration, but only a free donation that cannot be quantified in any way beforehand, nor specifically requested. One can also sleep in tents inside private property. Therefore, before setting out, it is necessary to make contact with the stage contact persons.  It is advisable to make reservations early, especially in the summer period, for facilities where you can sleep. Many of the facilities listed on this site close for maintenance work at certain times of the year.

Family hospitality: rules and principles of the Way of Bonaria

Dear pilgrim, dear pilgrim,

we invite you to carefully read the following behavioral norms, designed to ensure a serene, respectful and welcoming atmosphere, in the full spirit of the Bonaria Walk.

  1. Respect the people who welcome you. You are entering a private home, open to you with generosity and a spirit of sharing.
  2. Remember that those who welcome you participate in your journey. He shares its purpose and spirit: live it with gratitude and awareness.
  3. Your host symbolically walks with you. They are committed to offering you a warm welcome: they cooperate so that your stay is pleasant for everyone.
  4. Take off your shoes at the entrance and use flip-flops.
  5. Leave your hosts the following information: first name, last name, address and phone number.
  6. Do not place the backpack on beds, sofas or furniture.
  7. Respect all rooms in the home and use the items provided with care and restraint.
  8. Before using any items in the house, always ask permission.
  9. The hospitality offered is for overnight stay only. Any other services must be requested in advance.
  10. Avoid wasting water and use towels and resources responsibly.
  11. If you are offered dinner or breakfast, gratefully accept it and keep it in mind before you leave.
  12. Always be courteous and observe common rules of good manners with all family members.
  13. Respect the house schedule. Do not ask to change them for personal needs.
  14. Hospitality follows the “donative” tradition, as it does on the Camino de Santiago and the Via Francigena. According to your heart and without any bargaining, you are invited to leave an offering to contribute to expenses and allow this house to continue to welcome other pilgrims.
  15. You can leave your contribution in the box marked “Donative.”
  16. In order to make the best reception arrangements, remember that you should make contact with the host family well in advance.

In inland districts and cities, foods trace the agro-pastoral tradition: carbohydrates and proteins, indispensable foods for every pilgrim. Healthy and wholesome foods. There is no shortage of fish and vegetables…and excellent desserts. Then a good glass of Cannonau or Vermentino wine to tidy up for dinner. Along the way it is easy to come across fruit trees (pears and figs). At the end of each stop there are inns, restaurants and grocery stores to stock up on food. At each place where you will stop to sleep you will find eating facilities and markets for groceries. The Guidebook accurately lists pizzerias, inns and trattorias where you can eat; many have committed to practicing the pilgrim’s menu.

In every town crossed by the Walk you will find these essential services. In the Guide to the Bonaria Walk you will find all the detailed references.

You can get to Olbia by plane or ferry. Port and airport are well connected (cab or ASPO buses) with San Simplicio Square, the starting point of the Way. For Sardinians, ARST train and bus (respective stations are 350 meters from San Simplicio Square). Planes, ferries, trains and buses arrive in Olbia in the early morning hours. Should you not find accommodation in Olbia, you can start walking directly to Berchiddeddu, the first stage of the Camino. Along the Way, at the end of the stage, you will find buses and private cabs for possible transfers (see Guide to the Bonaria Way). Once you arrive in Cagliari, you can depart by train, bus, plane, or ferry (the station, port, and airport are a short distance from the Basilica of Bonaria).

The Guide, authored by Antonello Menne, will be distributed by L’Unione Sarda Publishing Group in all newsstands in Sardinia starting June 14, 2025. From June 23, 2025, it will be available on the online platform Vaionline at the price of 8.50 euros. You will find all the information in detail, the cartography created by Matteo Cara and the description of the places crossed by the Bonaria Walk.

Ed. The Sardinian Union

A technical backpack is recommended to aid weight distribution and thus the progression of smooth walking. The backpack should be complete but essential, nothing should be loaded that is not of actual use. In any case, it should be remembered that many things can eventually be purchased along the way. Some items should not be missing: needle, thread and disinfectant for any blisters; three mt of thread and clothespins to hang laundry in case of emergency at the end of the stage; Marseille soap (small package); some plastic bags for wet clothes or to collect any waste produced along the stages; sandals and flip-flops to rest your feet at the end of the stage. Then two T-shirts, three pairs of socks, two shorts and one long pant, fleece, and a T-shirt for the night. In the cold months adjust to the weather, the backpack will be heavier, although, sweating less, except socks and underwear, fewer spares are required. Then head flashlight, especially for parts of the road with passing cars and for dawn departures; safety pins: these are needed to hang cloths that are still damp on the outside of the backpack. Be aware that at the start of each stage the backpack will be heavier because of the water load.

From the Basilica of San Simplicio in Olbia to the Basilica of Bonaria in Cagliari, the route is marked with a blue arrow and logo on a yellow background or with a yellow tail call. Blue is the color of the Bonaria Walk. Yellow because we feel we are from the school of Santiago.

Direction signs are on fixed signs (aluminum, wooden or ceramic signs).

For each stage within this site you will be able to download individual digital tracks prepared by Matteo Cara.

Along the entire route, from Olbia to Cagliari, about 80 white granite stones have been laid with the inscription Siste Viator, stop pilgrim. You will find them in the churchyards of parish churches, that is, the starting point of each stage, and in front of the symbolic places of the Way, from the Redeemer on Mount Ortobene to Mount Gonare, from the Prison of Mamone to Badu ‘e Carros to Quartucciu, from the entrance to the Sanctuary of St. Francis of Lula to the Approdi Therapeutic Community. They are a call for a moment of reflection and meditation, to slow the pace and tune in to the sites traversed.

The Bonaria Pilgrimage has its own pilgrim credential. You can pick up the credential in person at the following locations after calling the stage coordinators:

  • Olbia: Francesco (3287641013), Parrocchia Basilica San Simplicio and Bar Latte Miele (in Piazza San Simplicio, the starting place of the Walk)
  • Alà dei Sardi: B&B da Gigi, Lia (377 2645374)
  • Bitti: Enza (328 8325816) and Diego (3280320519)
  • Nuoro: Grazia (328 9199024) and Antonio (3402488204)
  • Orotelli: Paola (328 7126908) and Luisa (3396034685)
  • Ottana: Pierangela (3406769611)
  • Sini: Octavius (3488831915) and Susanna (3408311753)
  • Monserrato: Julian (3396873944)
  • Cagliari: Little store inside the cloister of the Sanctuary of Bonaria and Zigheddu (338 6502821)
  • Milan: Antonello (02 58313541)
  • Civitavecchia: Michele (335461019)
  • Viterbo: Alessandra (3200112384)

 

Here’s where to stamp the credential for the Bonaria Walk

Legend: – Self-service: (S), meaning the self-inking stamps that pilgrims will find in a small shelf – Prior Contact (PC)

 Viterbo

  • Via Francigena Infopoint

Civitavecchia

  • Bar Bistro – Terminal The Sea Highways – Port of Civitavecchia

Olbia

  • Milk and Honey Bar (St. Simplicio Square)
  • Basilica San Simplicio (little box next to the “km 0” stone) (S)
  • Francis – Contact Person (PC)
  • Seraphim – Contact Person (PC)

Berchiddeddu

  • Immaculate Conception Parish (S)
  • Salvatore and Gianpaola – Referees (PC)
  • B&B Sa Tanca
  • Maria Carmela House

Alà dei Sardi

  • B&B at Gigi’s
  • Lia and Tonino – Referees (PC)
  • St. Augustine Parish
  • Municipality

Bitti

  • Archaeological site “Romanzesu” 
  • Enza – Contact Person (PC)
  • Franco – Contact person (PC) (Su Golostiu)
  • B&B Oasis Tepilora
  • B&B Sa Zodia
  • St. George Parish
  • Bar al Corso by Francesco Carzedda
  • Municipality
  • Gorofai B&B

Lula

  • Archangel – Contact Person (PC)
  • B&B Sa Corte Noa
  • Guesthouse S’aposentu
  • Bar (to be determined)
  • Municipality
  • St. Mary of the Assumption Parish

Onani

  • Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
  • Municipality

  • Gianni and Nina’s Bar on the Square (32 Via Roma)

Community Landings

  • Along the Lula – Nuoro stage.

Nuoro

  • Church The Solitude (S)
  • Sebastiano Satta Library, Along the Way.
  • Cathedral Church
  • Radio Barbagia (Vittorio Emanuele Square, 8)
  • G&S Belvedere Appartament 
  • Bars along the route (to be determined)

Orani

  • St. Andrew Parish (S)
  • Municipality

Sarule

  • St. Michael Parish
  • Municipality

  • , S’Istentu Guesthouse

Mount Gonare

  • Shrine (S)

Orotelli

  • Holy Spirit Parish (S)
  • St. John the Baptist Parish
  • Paola – Contact Person (PC)
  • Guesthouse da Giovanna
  • Laura House
  • Municipality

Ottana

  • Bar Sardinia di Pierina Via Mazzini, 10
  • St. Nicholas Parish
  • Municipality
  • Bar Roma, 41 Viale Ghitti 

Sedilo

  • Daniela – Contact Person (PC)
  • St. John the Baptist Parish
  • Municipality

Ghilarza

  • Salfranco – Contact Person (PC)
  • Peter – Contact Person (PC)
  • Immaculate Virgin Mary Parish
  • Municipality

Fordongianus

  • Bar Centrale at Berta and Ivan’s, Ipsitani Street, 105
  • St. Peter the Apostle Parish (S)
  • Municipality
  • B&B Is Janas of Giovanna Foddis

  • Guesthouse da Maddalena

Mogorella

  • Municipality
  • Horace – Referent (PC), 14 Risorgimento Street

Usellus

  • Luciano Ecca’s Tobacco Bar, 101 Eleonora d’Arborea St.
  • Bar “Nuraxi e Pinna” by Alice Melis, Via Eleonora d’Arborea, 10 
  • Municipality
  • St. Bartholomew Parish
  • Pro Loco
  • Andrea – Contact Person (PC)

Albagiara

  • Municipality

Sini

  • Octavius and Fiorella – Referees (PC)
  • B&B Susanna House
  • Pro Loco
  • St. Clare Parish
  • Municipality

Genuri

  • Municipality
  • Planet Bar di Simbula Gabriele, Via Nuraghe San Marco

Setzu

  • Municipality
  • Multimedia Museum, 24 Cagliari Street

Tuili

  • Maria Bonaria and Jacopo – Family Hospitality (PC)
  • Parish of St. Peter the Apostle
  • Municipality
  • Villa Asquer Museum Complex and Adjacent Museums, Piazza San Pietro

Barumini

  • Bar, Central Bar Via Roma 22
  • Immaculate Conception Parish
  • Municipality

Villanovafranca

  • Municipality
  • St. Lawrence Martyr Parish
  • Bar Sebastian, XX September Street 

Guasila

  • Villa Giuditta B&B
  • Central Bar Via A. Manzoni
  • B.V. Assumption Parish
  • Municipality
  • Family hospitality at Anna’s

Samatzai

  • St. John the Baptist Parish
  • Bar Pitzus cafe Cagliari Street 20
  • Municipality

Ussana

  • St. Sebastian Martyr Parish
  • Bar The Jazz Cafe, 159 Via Roma
  • Municipality
  • B&B
    The Jewel via Benedetto Croce 11 (Eleonora)

Quartucciu

  • Juvenile prison (to be determined)

Monserrato

  • Julian and Elizabeth – Referees (PC)
  • Holy Redeemer Parish
  • Municipality
  • Nicola’s Hundred Newsstand, Via dell’Argine, corner of Via Don Bosco
  • Bar Bonavida, 44 Portobotte Street

Cagliari

  • Basilica N.S. of Bonaria, sacristy

It is the certificate, the Compostela, the Testimonium of the Way. It will be issued to the pilgrim who, upon arriving at the destination and showing the Credential, will request it at the “Little Shop” inside the Sanctuary of Bonaria (at the end of the cloister) or in the sacristy.

They are three stylized sails of a light blue color. They recall the sailing ship that brought to Cagliari from Spain in 1370 a chest containing the Simulacrum of Our Lady of Bonaria, placed on the altar of the shrine next to the Basilica. The inscription of the Way is green to recall the pilgrims’ commitment to environmental protection. The trademark is registered with UIBM – Ministry of Enterprise – Market and Protection Department – Directorate General for Industrial Property.

They are the more than 50 volunteers of the Association the Way of Bonaria. They are in charge of providing assistance to pilgrims, especially in case of difficulties along the stage. They are also in charge of guarding the route and maintaining the stage. They are the guardian angels of the Way of Bonaria. For each stage, the name and telephone contact is given.

Those who wish to offer to give hospitality to pilgrims through their own facilities (B&Bs, Room Rentals, Farmhouses, Private Houses, Associative and tenting areas), can send a request to info@camminobonaria.it, including all facility details and telephone number.

On the “Way of Bonaria” channel you can see videos that tell the story of the journey of building the Way, you can also subscribe to share with us the next steps.

The Bonaria Trail passes through some territories devoted to pastoralism. In some parts, the route runs close to farms where guard dogs or protection dogs are present. As in the Way of St. James and the Via Francigena, flocks and dogs are within the pastures bordered by dry stone walls or nets. Therefore, they do not pose a danger.

However, should you still encounter a guard dog, here are the recommendations generally shared by hiking organizations, ranchers and forest services:

If dogs approach barking

  • Stop or slow down considerably.
  • Keep a calm and confident attitude.
  • Avoid sudden movements.
  • Do not shout or wave sticks or other objects.
  • Do not stare dogs in the eyes in a direct and prolonged manner, as it can be interpreted as a challenge.
  • Address the dogs in a calm and firm voice.

Keep your distance from the herd

  • Try to get around the herd while keeping as much distance as possible.
  • If the path crosses the flock, consider whether it is possible to pass very sideways or retrace your steps.
  • Do not attempt to pet dogs or approach protected animals.
  • Remain in an upright position.
  • If you carry trekking poles, keep them stationary and close to your body; they can help maintain balance and personal space, but not
    should be used in a threatening manner unless needed for extreme defense.
  • Back off slowly if the dogs continue to show much agitation.

If a dog comes very close

  • Stay still.
  • Let the dog observe and identify you.
  • Do not attempt to hit or run away from it.
  • In most cases, after verifying that you are moving away from the herd, the dog reduces the pressure and moves back toward the animals.

What to absolutely avoid

  • Running.
  • Chasing herd animals.
  • Throwing stones without a real need for defense.
  • Try to cross the center of the flock.
  • Photographing or filming from very close range while ignoring dog warning signals.

In the vast majority of encounters, these dogs are limited to deterrent behavior (barking, approaching, escorting the pilgrim out of the area). More serious incidents tend to occur when a person runs, crosses the herd or comes into direct conflict with the dogs.

Gates and Jacas

The last one closes the door. Along the Walk of Bonaria you will find, even in the cadastral paths, gates and sas jacas, small closures to prevent sheep, lambs and cows from straying. You will take care to open the gate and sa jaca, but above all you will take care to close them again after your passage.