Faradda 2026 in Sassari: Schedule, Route, Traffic Conditions, and Parking

The day of the Candelieri begins early in the morning.

From 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., visitors can watch the traditional dressing ceremonies for the thirteen Candelieri at the Gremi headquarters and in the homes of the Obrieri.

In the afternoon, the festivities will move to Piazza Castello:

5:00 p.m.: Gathering of the Gremi, the bearers, and the Candelieri in Piazza Castello;6:00 p.m.: official start of the Faradda;followed by: the procession through the historic center to Piazza Santa Maria di Betlem.

There is no set end time: the Candelieri advance while dancing, with numerous stops along the route, and the final moments of the festival last well into the late evening.

The thirteen candles will set out from Piazza Castello and pass through some of the most important sites in the historic center.

The main route will be:

Piazza Castello → Largo Cavallotti → Corso Vittorio Emanuele II → Piazza Sant’Antonio → Corso Vico → Piazza Santa Maria di Betlem.

One of the most anticipated moments will take place in front of Palazzo di Città, where the Candelieri will pay tribute to the City Council.

After the first twelve torches have passed, the Massai will arrive, bringing up the rear of the procession. Here, the traditional “a zent’anni” blessing will be exchanged between the Gremio and the mayor, who will then join the procession heading toward Santa Maria.

The Faradda will conclude with the fulfillment of the vow in Piazza Santa Maria di Betlem.

It depends on what you want to experience.

Piazza Castello is the perfect spot to watch the start and see all the Candelieri gathered together before the Descent. You’ll need to arrive well in advance, though.

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, on the other hand, lets you get a closer look at the dances and maneuvers of the bearers and is probably the most classic stretch for experiencing the Faradda.

The area around Palazzo di Città also lets you witness the official ceremony and the procession that culminates with the Massai and the traditional blessing “a zent’anni.”

Corso Vico is perfect for those who prefer to wait for the latter part of the Descent.

Finally, there’s Piazza Santa Maria, where the procession ends and the Vow is renewed. In this case, you’ll need to be prepared for a significantly longer wait.

The simplest option recommended by the City for those arriving by car is the Tanit Mall on Viale Porto Torres.

On August 14, the parking lots will be available all night long and are located relatively close to Santa Maria di Betlem, the final stop of the Faradda procession.

From there, we recommend continuing on foot, rather than trying to find parking in the immediate vicinity of the historic center.

The area around Piazza Santa Maria will also be part of the market area, with over one hundred stalls spread across Piazza Sant’Antonio, Corso Vico, Via XXV Aprile, Piazza Santa Maria, Via Artiglieria, and Via dei Gremi.

And for those arriving in a campervan?

A new temporary area for campervans and RVs has also been set up for 2026.

It is located in the parking lot between Via Pirandello and Via Bellini, can accommodate up to 40 vehicles, and will be reserved for campervan travelers from 8 a.m. on August 14 until midnight on August 15.

Throughout the day, numerous traffic restrictions will be in place in the historic center and on the streets affected by the Discesa.

The areas most affected will naturally be Piazza Castello, Largo Cavallotti, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Sant’Antonio, Corso Vico, and Piazza Santa Maria, along with the streets used for access to and management of the event.

So here’s some practical advice: don’t plan on driving through the city center during the Faradda.

If you need to get to the festival, park outside the affected area and walk the rest of the way.

The traffic changes will also affect public transportation.

Starting at 6 a.m. on August 14, numerous ATP bus lines will be rerouted, including lines 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, BA, BB, CA, CS, FL, LA, LP, MA, MP, OT, PN, PS, SO, and VV.

Bus riders should therefore check for updated stops and routes before heading out, especially in the afternoon and evening.

From 2:00 p.m. on August 14 until 8:00 a.m. on August 15, the sale, serving, and consumption of beverages in glass bottles and cans while walking will be prohibited in the Faradda area.

During the Candelieri’s procession, businesses along the route will also be prohibited from playing music, in order to preserve the traditional sounds of the Discesa.

If you want to experience the entire day, the best option is to head to the city center first thing in the morning.

You can watch one or more of the “Vestizioni” ceremonies, spend some time in the historic center, and then take your time choosing the best spot from which to watch the “Discesa.”

Those who only want to see the Faradda, on the other hand, should try to be in the area well before 5 p.m.

Because on August 14 in Sassari, there are two types of people: those who have already found their spot along the Corso and those who are still driving around looking for parking.