Nora archaeological site

Nora lies on a small peninsula near Pula, south-west of Cagliari, and is regarded as one of the oldest cities in Sardinia. The Nora Stone, a Phoenician inscription, was found in 1773 and has been dated to the late 9th or early 8th century BC. A village and trading post grew into a Phoenician and later Punic city; after the conquest of Sardinia in 238 BC it came under Roman rule. Its decline began in the 5th century AD, and the site appears to have been abandoned in the 8th century. Because southern Sardinia is slowly sinking, a considerable part of the city now lies under water.

The excavation site shows buildings from several periods and the remains of a theatre that is occasionally used for summer concerts. There was a sheltered harbour on each side of the peninsula. A substantial part of the city lies on military land and has not been excavated. Allow around two hours, and check opening times and guided tours in advance.

According to Lonely Planet, the site can only be visited on a guided tour (in Italian or English, as of October 2026); shuttle buses run from the centre of Pula. Sights include the single surviving column of a temple to Tanit, a small Roman theatre of the 2nd century facing the sea, and the Terme al Mare with their mosaic floors.